North Carolina Motorsports Association to Host Inaugural Awards Banquet

CONCORD, N.C. – The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) will honor the outstanding achievement of individuals and organizations that have a significant impact on the North Carolina motorsports industry at the new Concord Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at the Inaugural NCMA Awards Banquet.

Companies are nominated for nine awards in seven distinct categories including education, diversity, marketing, economic development, safety innovations, event facilities and manufactures & suppliers. Nominees do not have to be Association members. The event will culminate with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award. This year’s recipient of this prestigious lifetime achievement award will be International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee Benny Parsons.

Parsons, 1973 NASCAR Cup Series champion, NBC and TNT television commentator and radio talk-show host, has devoted his life to motorsports as a competitor, analyst and -- most importantly -- as a friend to many in the industry. Parsons also recently battled lung cancer while remaining active and involved in the sport that truly is his passion. The Tribute Award is a continuation of the concept to honor the biggest contributors to Motorsports which began with the Bill France Tribute Dinner in 2004. Members of NASCAR will be on hand to “pass the baton” to Benny.

Award nominations are underway and will be evaluated by the NCMA Awards Nomination Committee, which is made up of Motorsports professionals and industry experts. Three finalists for each award are chosen by the Nominations Committee. Then NCMA member votes will determine the winners.

The NCMA, led by executive director Andy Papathanassiou, is the voice of the motorsports industry in North Carolina, representing businesses that support more than 26,000 jobs in North Carolina. During 2004, the NCMA commissioned a study which revealed that the industry is responsible for that level of employment and has a total economic impact of $5.9 billion annually within the state. The economic impact study played an important role in Charlotte’s successful bid for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Richard Petty is chairman and Rick Hendrick the vice-chairman of the NCMA Board of Trustees. Steve Earwood, president of Rockingham Dragway is the Board of Directors chairman.