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Lehman Motorsports
LATROBE, Penn. (April 9) - Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN has been named the recipient of the Fourth Annual RPM Racing News Driver of the Year Award based on his 2007 accomplishments and achievements. Owens, also known as "The Newport Nightmare," won four UMP Modified National Championships before moving up to Super Late Models where he has found tremendous success.
Owens' 2007 season included winning the World 100 at Eldora Speedway, the 25th Annual North/South 100 at Florence Speedway in Florence, KY, the Blue/Gray 100 in Gaffney, SC, Racefest World Championship in Mineral Wells, WV, and the Crate World Championship in Tampa, FL. Owens won a total of seventeen races in 2007.
Owens drives the Bloomquist Chassis/Cornett Racing Engines Ford Fusion #20 sponsored by Reece Monument Company, Gantte Appraisals, Wear Development, Alwee Trucking Company & PRC.
The RPM Racing News Driver of the Year Award is sponsored by RPM Racing News based in Latrobe, PA and will be presented to Owens in August during the annual National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies during the 26th Annual North-South 100 race weekend at Florence Speedway in Kentucky.
Owens won based on receiving a majority of votes by the voting panel selected by RPM Racing News that is made up of veteran motorsports journalists. Scott Bloomquist, Shannon Babb and Earl Pearson, Jr., won the award in previous years.
"I have watched Jimmy come on as a driver," stated Dave Kittey, co-editor & co-publisher of RPM Racing News. "He made a name for himself in Modifieds and you knew if he could put a good ride together for Late Models he would be a driver to contend with."
"Last season was definitely a break out year for him. Hooking up with Scott Bloomquist hasn't hurt either."
"On behalf of our entire staff at RPM Racing News I would like to congratulate Jimmy Owens on an outstanding season," added Dr. David Horne, co-editor & co-publisher of RPM Racing News. "I am really honored that Bill Holder asked us to be part of the Hall of Fame and present this award to a deserving driver each year."
The RPM Racing News Driver of the Year Award honor is bestowed upon a dirt Late Model racer each year at the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame (NDLMHOF) induction ceremonies and has become an annual designation to a deserving dirt Late Model driver who has risen to the top heights of their profession.
RPM Racing News sponsors and administers the RPM Racing News Driver of the Year Award during each induction ceremony of the NDLMHOF. While not part of the overall NDLMHOF process, the award is being given to one driver chosen among an independent group of voters from the media. A permanent standing trophy honoring each year's selection will be placed on-site at the NDLMHOF building.
"Although not a specific category of the NDLMHOF, we think this adds something to the festivities and record in some small way over the years who the most prominent driver of each particular year is," stated Kittey. "Each year when the winner is announced we present the winning Driver of the Year Award winner with a plaque to commemorate the honor. The response to this the past couple years has been very favorable."
"In addition, we have supplied a trophy to the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame that remains at the building. Each year an engraved plate is added to the trophy with the name of each successive Driver of the Year Award winner. We at RPM Racing News take great pride in associating ourselves with this award, the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame and the tireless efforts of Bill Holder in honoring the greats of this sport."
RPM Racing News is a weekly racing results newspaper publishing 27 times a season. Weekly publications begin in April and run through the third week of September, with additional printings in October and December. RPM Racing News carries results and photos from over 80 of the areas racetracks, from Ohio to West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, New York and Western and Central Pennsylvania.
RPM Racing News is the reality of a joint venture between Dr. David Horne and David Kittey. In 1993 they purchased the monthly magazine "Racing's Almost Perfect Magazine". The two had a goal, the need to fill a void they saw within the area's weekly news coverage of auto racing during the racing season. They continued to publish the magazine for three more years, while still keeping their vision in mind.
In 1996 the conception of their dreams became a reality, as RPM Racing News acquired Tri-State Auto Racing News, the areas oldest racing publication. The acquisition strengthened the market exposure and coverage for RPM Racing News. The move made RPM Racing News the leading periodical covering racing in the area.
For more information on RPM Racing News email: Email: rpm@winbeam.com or telephone: (724) 537-8962.
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