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Gary Scelzi is retiring from driving his race car after this year. And who might be next? Gary Densham, Warren Johnson, Y Gaines, Cory Mac even Angelle Sampey? The point I am making is that somebody needs to be in line for the next wave. And how better to determine whom they might be is look at the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award. That includes five drivers and riders who have been outstanding rookies -- yeah, that right, rookies -- in 2008, The award, which recognizes the top rookie in the NHRA POWERade series competition as determined by select media, offers a $20,000 prize and trophy to the winner, will be presented during NHRA's annual awards ceremony Nov. 17 at the Hilton Los Angeles /Universal City. Here's some information USPsed in a packet to us voters. Nominees for the award, which you probably already know, in alphabetical order, are Rickie Jones (Pro Stock), Mike Neff (Funny Car), Junior Pippin (Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Steve Torrence (Top Fuel). We'll list their achievements, let you pick one and share my filled-in ballot in just a minute, but first, let's hear from Thomas V. McKennan, president and CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California, which is in its sixth year of presenting the honor. "For more than 100 years the Automobile Club of Southern California has represented intergrity, commitment and professionalism to our millions of members," he says. "The road to the Future Award has come to symbolize these same attributes to the sport of NHRA POWERade drag racing. "To be nominated recognizes not only that a rookie driver had a noteworthy first season, but also that they demonstrated exceptional potential for the future. "We congratulate all five of the nominees for this year's award and look forward to enjoying their achievements both on and off the race track, for many years to come." There, we told you, the new wave.
In 2002 the Automobile Club of Southern California Road to the Future Award and the NHRA Rookie of the Year Award were combined to create one award recognizing the future stars of the sport. Past winners of the Road to the Future Award have developed into some of NHRA's biggest stars. They include Tony Pedregon (1996, Funny Car), Ron Capps (1997 Funny Car), Doug Kalitta (1998 Top Fuel), Melani Troxel (2000 Top Fuel), GT Tonglet (2001 Pro Stock Motorcycle), Gene Wilson (2002 Pro Stock), Brandon Bernstein, 2003 Top Fuel), Jason Line (2004 Pro Stock), Robert Hight (2005 Funny Car), J.R. Todd (2006 Top Fuel and Ashley Force (2007 Funny Car). Prior to the merger, the rookie winners were the late Darrell Russell (2001), Don Lampso, 2000), Scotty Cannon (1999), Jeg Coughlin (1998), Scelzi (Yep, 1997), co winners in 1996, Mike Edwards and Matt Hines.
The rules are fairly simple.
Here are the candidates and very briefly, their achievements: There you have it, along with three of their top achievements. The vote here went in for...Mike Neff, the only candidate who had two runner ups and a top qualifying position, plus he had a semifinal finish at Reading and was tenth in the Countdown. Who do you like?
We promised another couple of words on the ACSC -- by now you know what those letters stand for, The club is also sponsor for NHRA finals at Pomona next month and is a major sponsor for John Force Racing and in addition is the title sponsor for the ACSC Hot Rod Reunion sponsored by Holly. It is also the presenting sponsor for the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. If you wish to argue before I send my ballot, do so to Normfro@aol.com, as text.
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