News
Dale Earnhardt Receives Tribute Award at NCMIA
01/26/2010
9 Industry Organizations Recognized for 2009 Achievements
CONCORD, N.C. – Dale Earnhardt was honored with the Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award Monday night at the 4th Annual North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards presented by Senn Dunn Motorsports Insurance hosted by the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA). For the first time all seven of Dale Earnhardt’s former crew chiefs gathered on stage for a fireside chat moderated by long time Earnhardt gas man and Sirius NASCAR radio show host Danny “Chocolate” Myers.
The crew chiefs, Bobby Hutchens, David Smith, Larry McReynolds, Kevin Hamlin, Andy Petree, Doug Richert and Kirk Shelmerdine, talked about the mischievous sense of humor that Dale had and his “never give up” attitude.
Bobby Hutchens recalled how Earnhardt accidentally hit him with a helmet while trying to hit gas man Danny “Chocolate” Myers. David Smith reminisced about Earnhardt cleaning the windshield of his race car himself while steering the car with his knees under caution at Richmond.
Richard Childress, the NCMA’s 2009 Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award winner, presented the 2010 award to Earnhardt’s widow, Teresa.
“We all know that Dale would give recognition back to everyone who was part of his legendary career,” Teresa Earnhardt said. “I personally say thank you to Dale’s team members and friends.”
In addition, 9 companies were awarded for outstanding contributions to the motorsports industry. The companies awarded were:
• NASCAR Accepted by Blake Davidson
PRESENTED BY Curt Bruns of JOSTENS
• BSCI ENERGY IMPACT SYSTEMS Accepted by Matt Ray
PRESENTED BY Craig May of WACHOVIA
• VICTORY JUNCTION GANG CAMP, INC. Accepted by Patty Petty
PRESENTED BY Tony Smith of GREER & WALKER LLP
• MEL’S CUSTOM PRODUCTS Accepted by Melanie Packman
PRESENTED BY Greg Fornelli of STOCK CAR STEEL AND ALUMINUM, INC.
• HOOSIER ASPHALT OVAL SOUTH Accepted by Gary Freeman
PRESENTED BY Rodney Grover of THE SOCIETY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS
• NASCAR TECHNICAL INSTITUTE Accepted by John Dodson
PRESENTED BY Chuck Tate of RACERSITES.COM
• CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY Accepted by Chris Kouri
PRESENTED BY Wendy Stallings of TYSINGER PROMOTIONS
• SAFETY-KLEEN SYSTEMS INC. Accepted by Buddy Judy
PRESENTED BY Jim Zoretich of CV PRODUCTS
• JKS MOTORSPORTS INC. Accepted by Will Spencer
PRESENTED BY Chris McKee of AFLAC
Awards are initiated by a nomination process from NCMA membership with the winners determined by the NCMA Board of Directors. A cocktail reception was hosted by the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) before the event.