FORCE, SCELZI NAMED TO AUTO RACING ALL-AMERICA TEAM
John Force and Gary Scelzi were selected by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association to the 2000 Auto Racing All-America Team. It was a record-breaking eighth straight inclusion for Force and the third time for Scelzi.

In addition, Force accepted the Jerry Titus Memorial Award after being named on more ballots than any other driver. It was the third time Force received that award. The only other driver to have led the balloting three different times was Mario Andretti.

The AARWBA has selected an All-American team every year since 1970 when Don Garlits and Don Prudhomme were the initial drag racing representatives.

EAGLE ONE-SHAV GLICK AWARD TO WALLY PARKS (NOT JOHN FORCE)
NHRA founder Wally Parks has been selected as the winner of the second annual Eagle One-Shav Glick Award which is a symbol of extraordinary achievement in motor racing by a Californian.

Parks, 87, was selected for the honor over a distinguished list of nominees, including NHRA Funny Car driver John Force, retired Indy Car stars Parnelli Jones and Rick Mears, and longtime NASCAR official Les Richter.

The award is named for Shav Glick, the venerable motorsports writer for The Los Angeles Times.

"Wally Parks, like Bill France with stock cars and Tony Hulman with the Indianapolis 500, is an icon in the history of motorsports in the United States," said Glick. "There may have been great drag racers through the years, but without the leadership Parks displayed from his hot-rodding days on the California dry lakes, there would not have been a National Hot Rod Association to display their talents. His contribution to the sport is immeasurable."

Parks will accept the award on April 29 at California Speedway during trackside ceremonies prior to the NASCAR NAPA Auto Parts 500.

AND THE IHRA AWARDS GO TO…
The IHRA held its championship awards banquet on January 13 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, with a record-setting attendance of over 1,000.

Paul Romine received a check for $200,000 as his CARQUEST team's share of the first million dollar championship purse in IHRA history. In accepting the check, Romine paid tribute to his friend and crew chief Clayton Harris, who died in a Thanksgiving Day airplane crash. Romine and Harris had teamed up for three world championships (1997, 1998, and 2000).

"This season has produced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and I dedicate this championship to Clayton. We can't win another championship, but we can take pride in this last one together."

Harris was posthumously awarded the International Christian Racer Association's Samaritan of the Year award by IHRA Chaplain Jim Hartley.

Quain Stott was given the "Man of the Year" award by IHRA President Bill Bader "for exemplifying the best qualities of teamwork, fellowship, and compassion that personify the winning human spirit."

The complete list of IHRA awards is as follows.

Top Fuel World: Paul Romine
Mopar Pro Modified: Fred Hahn
Screamin' Eagle Nitro Harley-Davidson Motorcycle: Jay Turner
Sunoco Pro Stock: Jon Yoak
Funny Car: Scott Weney
Pro Outlaw: Laurie Cannister
Stock: Nick Smallwood
Super Stock and Modified: Anthony Bertozzi
Hot Rod and Super Rod: Glenn Ferguson Jr.
Quick Rod: Scott Duggins
Top Dragster: Slate Cummings
Top Sportsman: DeWayne Silance
Man of the Year: Quain Stott
Media of the Year: TNN, The National Network
Professional Track Services (PTS) Award: Bill Bader
Sportsman Rookie of the Year: Mike Adams, Stock
Pro Rookie of the Year: Clay Millican, Top Fuel
Most Improved Driver: Mitch Stott
Wrench of the Year: Cliff Moore
Sportsman Driver of the Year: Glenn Ferguson Jr, Hot Rod and Super Rod
Pro Driver of the Year: Jay Turner, Nitro Harley
IHRA Man of the Year: Royce Miller
Promoter of the Year: Ron Biekx, Grand Bend Motorplex
Track of the Year: Norwalk Raceway Park
Track Operator of the Year: Bob Harris/Jim Turner, Piedmont Dragway
Pro Sponsor of the Year: CARQUEST
Sportsman Sponsor of the Year: Holley Performance
Manufacturer of the Year: Moroso
Performance Sponsor of the Year: Summit Racing Equipment

NHRA GOES NUMBER 2
If you get ESPN2, you'll be happy; if you don't, you won't. NHRA's just-released 2001 television schedule represents 196 hours of original programming and all 24 national events will air on ESPN and/or ESPN2 on a same-day basis. The Agent's quick check of the schedule shows only 6 sessions-totalling 10.5 hours-will air on ESPN, so contact your cable company now if you don't get ESPN2.

In addition, "NHRA Heat" has been expanded to 41 episodes, which represents a show each week throughout the season. The Federal Mogul Drag Racing Series will expand to 15 one-hour shows on ESPN2 on a tape-delayed basis.

"NHRA Heat" will air each week on Thursday on ESPN2 as a lead-in to RPM2Night. The first episode will air February 1, 2001.