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10 Organizations Announced for Recognition at North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards Banquet

CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 10, 2009) — The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) announced today that Dale Earnhardt Sr. will be the 2010 Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award Recipient. Earnhardt will be honored on January 25th, 2010 at the NCMA’s 4th Annual Motorsports Industry Awards Banquet. Past recipients have included; Benny Parson’s (2007), Richard Petty (2008) and Richard Childress (2009). In addition, 10 Industry related organizations were announced to be awarded at the upcoming banquet for their 2009 achievements and contributions to the industry. The announcements were made during the
NCMA’s Annual Membership Luncheon held at Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord.

Born in Kannapolis, North Carolina on April 29, 1951 Dale Earnhardt is one of the most recognizable names in all of motorsports worldwide. With seventy-six race wins and seven championships (Tied for most all-time with Richard Petty) Earnhardt is one of the most successful drivers in NASCAR history, winning both as a driver and team owner. He was recently selected to the first class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame joining just  four other inductee’s(Bill France Sr, Bill France Jr, Richard Petty, and Junior Johnson.)

Earnhardt was selected to receive the award for more than his remarkable on track success. Dale Earnhardt shaped a generation of NASCAR. He was respected by millions of fans, business associates and family. He was named the “Intimidator” for his fearless driving style, but his heart and giving ways often went without fanfare or public accolades. As big as he became, Earnhardt never forgot his humble North Carolina roots. He influenced the on-track and offtrack growth of the sport. His tragic death in 2001 led to tremendous changes in safety that surely has saved drivers lives in today’s auto racing.

The North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards Banquet (NCMIA) presented by Senn Dunn Motorsports Insurance will be held January 25, 2010 at the Embassy Suites in Concord, NC. A fireside chat with many of Dale Earnhardt’s former Crew Chiefs will be part of the evening’s special events to honor the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr. Additionally, the night will recognize 10 outstanding organizations for their contributions to the motorsports industry in 2009. The organizations announced today were: NASCAR Technical Institute; Lowes Motor Speedway; Mel’s Custom Covers; Victory Junction Gang Camp; Safety-Kleen; Hoosier Asphalt Oval South; JKS Motorsports; BSCI; Coca Cola Bottling Co.; and NASCAR. Winston Kelly, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and MRN Lead NASCAR Pit Reporter, will once again MC the event.

About the NCMA:

The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) is the voice for the motorsports industry across the state of North Carolina. The industry provides a 5.9 billion dollar economic impact and over 26,000 jobs to the state. The NCMA is involved in public policy through work with the North Carolina Legislature and the National Motorsports Coalition; Business development through the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Chambers and Economic Development Groups; Workforce Development which involves educational institutions statewide; the business community and motorsports organizations. The NCMA also provides networking opportunities and industry information and resources to its membership. The NCMA is the annual host of the North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards, which recognizes industry organizations for their achievements.

www.MotorsportsNC.org

- The North Carolina Motorsports Association, Press Release