Franchitti, Pruett and Rojas Chosen for First Team All-America Selection

The 2010 All-America Auto Racing Team was recently announced by members of the nation’s motorsports press with Chip Ganassi Racing drivers Dario Franchitti, Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas claiming First Team honors. The teams are composed of drivers who best represent their respective discipline of motorsports as determined by motorsports press nationwide.

Target Chip Ganassi Racing driver Franchitti claimed First Team Open Wheel honors for the second consecutive year, winning his second Indianapolis 500 and his third IZOD IndyCar Series championship in 2010. The selection marked Franchitti’s sixth overall in the All-America Auto Racing voting and his third First Team selection.

TELMEX Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates drivers Pruett and Rojas claimed First Team honors in the Road Racing category for the second time in three years, as the duo received the honor with the a series-record nine victories in 12 races (75%) en route to their second GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype championship in three years. The selection marked Pruett’s 11th time on the First Team– third on the all-time list behind drag racing champion John Force– and his 13th time overall, while Rojas is an All-America First Team selection for the second time in his career.

Earnhardt Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates driver Jamie McMurray was among those who received an honorable mention in All-America Team voting. McMurray received votes for his breakout 2010 season, with wins coming in the Daytona 500, Brickyard 400 and at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Most notably, McMurray became only the third driver to win both of NASCAR’s marquee events in the same season, helping give car-owner Chip Ganassi the Triple Crown of American Auto-Racing.

In addition, Franchitti, Pruett and Rojas are in the running for the Jerry Titus Award. Franchitti, a former recipient of the Titus Award, will be in contention to win his second consecutive award and his third overall, while Pruett and Rojas will be looking to capture the award for the first time in their careers. The winner will be revealed at the AARWBA ceremonies in Indianapolis on January 9th.

The Titus Award, given in remembrance of the late racer/journalist, signifies the top vote-getter on the All-America team regardless of category, is announced at the conclusion of the annual AARWBA banquet, which is open to the public. Two drivers from each of eight categories are elected to the First Team, two more to the Second Team, and all drivers receiving at least five percent of the vote (minimum five votes) earn honorable mention.

FIRST TEAM
OPEN WHEEL:               Dario Franchitti, Will Power
STOCK CAR:                  Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch
ROAD RACING:              Scott Pruett/Memo Rojas, David Brabham/Simon Pagenaud
DRAG RACING:              John Force, Larry Dixon
SHORT TRACK:             Bryan Clauson, Levi Jones
TOURING SERIES:        Todd Bodine, Bobby Santos
OFF-ROAD & RALLY:     Rob MacCachren, Ricky Johnson & Antoine L’Estage/Nathalie Richard (tie)
AT LARGE:                    Jörg Bergmeister/Patrick Long, Frank Manzo

SECOND TEAM     
OPEN WHEEL:               Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe
STOCK CAR:                  Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski
ROAD RACING:              Tony Ave, Jon Fogarty/Alex Gurney
DRAG RACING:              Tony Schumacher, Matt Hagan
SHORT TRACK:             Jason Myers, Tim Shaffer
TOURING SERIES:         Ryan Truex, Patrick Sheltra
OFF-ROAD & RALLY:      B.J. Baldwin
AT LARGE:                     J.K. Vernay, Peter Cunningham 
  
HONORABLE MENTION
OPEN WHEEL:               Tony Kanaan
STOCK CAR:                  Kevin Harvick, Jamie McMurray
ROAD RACING:              Max Angelelli/Ricky Taylor
TOURING SERIES:         Clay Rogers, Eric Holmes
OFF-ROAD & RALLY:     Jesse Jones, Tom Lawless
AT LARGE:                     Randy Pobst, Von Smith