RPW Column: Still In Awe: Race Pro Weekly To Celebrate “20 Years Strong” In 2020

RPW Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – NEW LEBANON, NY – The year was 2000. Racing trade papers were still the norm for the latest in this sport. Many waited to get their news in their mailbox from the likes of Area Auto, Speedway Illustrated and Gater Racing News.

That was also the year that Race Pro Weekly (RPW) was born.

Starting out with a skeleton crew, RPW came to life with the dedication and desire to bring racers and fans alike a new way to get their news. While the Internet was still relatively in its infancy, Race Pro didn’t tackle stories and topics like a website. It was marketed as an ‘online magazine’ with news, columns, photos and more.

My vision may have started out small, but if you would have told me that on this day, we’d be starting our 20th year in existence, I don’t think I’d believe you.

We’ve grown and grown every year and had our biggest season to date in 2019. We’ve had some staff members move on to other things through the years, but their dedication to RPW can’t be overlooked. It was the true heart of each and every one of the people that make up the Race Pro staff that has made it what it is today.

Our little ole’ online magazine here has reached millions upon millions of readers worldwide through the years. There is NO way I could have ever imagined that when I started it.

As of January 1st, our staff and contributors list is nearing 100 crew members. Not only do we cover the local events, but we have people at the biggest events in the country. I am extremely proud of that.

Our crew has also won several awards in writing, photography and even video. I think it’s amazing that I get to make that statement.

RPW is now an accredited member of the media with DIRTcar, the All Stars, the Lucas Oil LM Dirt Series, NASCAR, IndyCar and even the NHRA.

To me, RPW isn’t just a magazine. It’s not just a dot com. We’re a family. From the photographers, to the writers, to the video team and on-camera personalities, to the readers and watchers each and every day. We do this for you and from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you.

So here we sit, ready to start our 20th season in existence and I am proud to unveil our new logo for this year. This design marks the two decades we’ve been around and is emblazoned with the very first logo Race Pro Weekly ever had.

This, to me, means we’re just getting started. There’s still a lot more work to do. In 2020, you’ll see a lot of old with a lot of new…the past with the future. You may see some flashbacks to the way things use to be, but you will also see a lot of great things that have been in the works for months.

This is going to be a year to remember for all of us. Welcome to the year 2020. Happy 20th Anniversary to everyone at RPW. Let’s have one hell of a season!

20 Years Strong!