Sun, 14 Nov 2004, 02:43 PM Kenny Bernstein to Receive 'Pioneer' Award at All-America Team Dinner

Courtesy of Michael Knight Photo copyright 2004 Larry Sullivan NHRA, Honda, Budweiser, Fernandez, BMW AARWBA 50th Anniversary Sponsors

POMONA, Calif. -- The National Hot Rod Association, American Honda, the Budweiser brand of Anheuser-Busch, Fernandez Racing (three-time IRL race winner in '04 with owner-driver Adrian Fernandez) and BMW have become official sponsors of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association's (AARWBA) 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2005, it was announced Saturday at Pomona Raceway, prior to the NHRA's season finale. AARWBA is the country's oldest and largest organization of motorsports media professionals.

Kenny Bernstein and Dusty Brandel

It also was announced that NHRA legend Kenny Bernstein will receive AARWBA's "Pioneer in Racing" award at the organization's 35th annual All-America Team dinner, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, at the Sheraton Hotel in Pomona. Bernstein captured six championships during his career and is the only driver to earn titles in both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes. He became the first driver to make a 300 mph pass in 1992. Although he retired at the end of the 2002 season, Kenny returned in '03, following injury to son Brandon. Bernstein-owned teams also won in the NASCAR Cup and CART open-wheel series.

AARWBA presents the "Pioneer" award to recognize life-long contributions to the sport. Among the previous recipients are Parnelli Jones, Dan Gurney, Andy Granatelli, Hershel McGriff and the Agajanian family.

Fourteen drivers, elected by AARWBA members from seven categories - stock car, open wheel, road racing, drag racing, short track, touring series and at-large - will be honored at the All-America Team dinner. The top vote-getter earns AARWBA's Jerry Titus Memorial Award. Information on tickets for media, companies and the general public, is available at AARWBA.org, or by writing to AARWBA, 922 N. Pass Ave., Burbank, CA 91505. Telephone: 818/842-7005.

Popular broadcaster Bob Jenkins will be Master of Ceremonies for the All-America Team dinner.

Another highlight of the evening will be the announcement of the 12 nominees for AARWBA's Newsmaker of the Half-Century award, the headline event of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. The AARWBA Board of Directors will select the nominees from an initial list of 50 of the greatest names from American motorsports. The dozen nominees will then be presented to the full AARWBA membership for a final vote, and the Newsmaker of the Half-Century will be announced at a public ceremony next May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in the days leading up to the 89th Indy 500.

"Kenny Bernstein is a natural choice for the 'Pioneer' award," said AARWBA President Dusty Brandel. "Not only is his name found throughout the NHRA record book, he has been one of the sport's greatest personalities and ambassadors, and has always been very cooperative with AARWBA members and all the news media."

Porsche Cars North America, NASCAR, Toyota Motorsports, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indy Racing League, Valvoline and the Champ Car World Series were previously announced as official AARWBA 50th anniversary sponsors.

AARWBA 50th Anniversary Celebration Chairman Michael Knight said, "We welcome NHRA, American Honda, Budweiser, Fernandez Racing and BMW to our growing list of prestigious companies who recognize the importance and value of participating in AARWBA's golden anniversary. I know all of our members appreciate this support. Our primary goals for the 50th anniversary are to increase the benefits AARWBA offers to current and prospective members, and to expand awareness of AARWBA within the motorsports industry, and this news is another important step in achieving those objectives."

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will provide $10,000 in prize money for AARWBA's annual journalism contest, which includes writing, broadcasting and photo categories. The contest is open to all AARWBA members and entries are independently judged.