Lyle Devore, Roger Slack Among RPM Regional Promoters Of The Year; National Award To Be Announced In Florida

Story By: RACING PROMOTION MONTHLY – DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Racing Promotion Monthly (RPM) Newsletter and Workshop Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year (ARPY) Regional Nominees (winners) and the final National Nominees have been announced as the ties have been broken and stage has been set to announce the 44th Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year (ARPY) at the 47th Annual RPM Workshops at the Hilton Daytona Oceanfront Resort on Monday, February 10.

The Racing Promotion Monthly Outstanding Short Track of 2019 will also be announced.

REGION ONE, Eastern Region: LYLE DEVORE, Albany-Saratoga (NY) Speedway: This is third consecutive nomination for Devore. He continues to manage the successful program at Albany-Saratoga while becoming one of the best track preparation managers in the nation. Devore has had years of experience beginning with the Richards family, working with Alex Friesen on multiple projects and former ARPY Howard Commander. Devore and Commander have now expanded their promotional efforts to include promotion of the Airborne Speedway Park in Plattsburgh, N.Y., for the 2020 season.

REGION TWO, Southeastern Region: CHRIS MARTIN, Cochran Motor Speedway (Georgia): A first time nomination for the Georgia promoter. Cochran is behind the Cochran Motor Speedway World Chanpionships that run right after Christmas in December as well as a part of the new Xtreme DIRTcar Series promoting one of their uniquely branded Super Late Model events. Martin will be presented with his first regional ARPY award.

REGION THREE, Central Region; ROGER SLACK, Eldora Speedway: A first time nomination, Slack is one of the many driving forces behind the success at Tony Stewart’s Eldora Speedway, but Slack’s short track roots run deep through his family. Experience at the family run track led to a traveling term with Rex Robbins American Speedway Association (ASA) as the flagman. Slack worked for SMI as part of the team at Charlotte Motor Speedway and World Racing Group before heading to Eldora.

REGION FOUR, Northern Region: TOBY KRUSE / THE RATAJCZAK’S 141 Speedway (Wisconsin): This is the fourth nomination for Kruse a widely experienced race sanction official and promoter and a third for the the Ratajczak’s based off their efforts at 141. This promotional combination has produced great success at the Maribel, Wisconsin facility that utilizes IMCA sanctioning along with their signature, “Clash”, “Captain” and “King” of the Creek events.

REGION FIVE, Great Plains Region: RAY MARLER, I-55 Speedway (Missouri): This is the second nomination for Marler. Marler’s volume of experience extends through decades of the business along with his partnerships with some of the sports most recognizable names, including his long-time partnership with Ken Schrader at I-55. Marler’s has seen him help build many events including the widely popular “Iron Man” World of Outlaw Sprint Car race and the “Pepsi Nationals” featuring UMP DIRTcar sanctioning.

REGION SIX, Southwest & Western Region: DENNIS GAGE, Silver Dollar Speedway (Californa): A first time nominee and regional winner, Gage has a vast knowledge of the industry from many different aspects. He has a steadfast approach that has found continued success at the Chico, California speedplant, which hosts weekly racing including the successful IMCA Sport Modified division and some of the most recognized events in the North America, including the prestigious “Gold Cup” which is part of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series schedule.

The recipient of the 44th Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Award, supported for the 30th year by Charlotte Motor Speedway, will be revealed during Monday ceremonies at the 47th Annual RPM@Daytona Workshop at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Beach, FL, February 10 & 11, 2020 as well as other industry nominated awards. The 47th Annual RPM@Daytona stands as a “can’t miss” event for track promoters nationwide.