Every year since CompetitionPlus.com began publication in 1999, this Internet magazine has offered race fans to choose the best driver/individual suited for awards based of the performances on and off the track. The following are the results of our reader ballots offered during the Christmas holidays. Each year's competition grows in size as CompetitionPlus.com continues to expand in readership. For the third consecutive year, the vote totals have exceeded 10,000 votes cast in an unstuffable ballot box.

RELATED STORY: THE POLITICALLY INCORRECT DOT COMS

Every year since CompetitionPlus.com began publication in 1999, this Internet magazine has offered race fans to choose the best driver/individual suited for awards based of the performances on and off the track. The following are the results of our reader ballots offered during the Christmas holidays. Each year's competition grows in size as CompetitionPlus.com continues to expand in readership. For the third consecutive year, the vote totals have exceeded 10,000 votes cast in an unstuffable ballot box.

 

MIKE AIELLO PERSON OF THE YEAR

TIM WILKERSON


Every once in a while a truly great story of spirit and determination descends upon drag racing and while he had been around for a while, never had Tim Wilkerson received more recognition than he did in 2009.

Wilkerson is living proof that one doesn’t have to be crowned a champion, to be a champion.

Wilkerson became the tenth winner of the Mike Aiello Person of the Year Award.

A total of 10,055 votes were cast in this year’s competition.

"We're awful busy trying to work 26 hours a day to get ready for the season right now, so this sort of news is really welcomed, believe me, and it's an honor to hear about this,” Wilkerson said. “I think everyone knows my plate is pretty full at the race track, trying to tune the car, drive it, and oversee everything, so I'll admit to sometimes being in my own little tunnel out there, just kind of focused on doing it all and not always paying attention to what's going on outside the Levi, Ray & Shoup pit. I couldn't help but notice, though, the way the excitement and support was building, all around us, as the season came down the stretch, and the way the fans treated us throughout '08 was just incredible, and big boost to the team, my family, and to me.

"I didn't really expect it, to tell you the truth, and was kind of surprised to find out so many people were out there pulling for us. It all means a lot, and keeps us fired up, trust me. This is also the second time I've won an award with Mike Aiello's name on it, since the end of last year, and that makes you feel pretty good too. Big Mike was one-of-a-kind, and a great man, so I'm honored to have my name on any award that's associated with his memory. I also want to say that it's great that Competition Plus does this, and lets the fans get on there on express themselves. It's great for the sport. We just want to thank everyone who voted, and we'll do our best to pay you back with a good 2009 season."

Wilkerson was also honored by 1320TV.com as the winner of the Mike Aiello Award, presented each year to the person who most embodies the spirit of drag racing.

1ST RU – Billy Glidden
2nd RU – John Force

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PROFESSIONAL RACER OF THE YEAR

Tim Wilkerson


Tim Wilkerson may not have won the proverbial electoral vote in this year’s drag racing Funny Car championship election, but hands down he was more than dominant in the popular vote. Wilkerson edged out a star-studded list of NHRA, IHRA and ADRL world champions as well as a few notables such as Pro Modified driver Jim Halsey who recorded the first five-second nitrous doorslammer run in drag racing history.

The Levi-Ray & Shoup-sponsored Wilkerson amassed one of the more formidable championship efforts of 2008 with six national event victories, which equaled his career national event win mark plus one. A year earlier he finished the season ranked fifteenth.

1st RU – Jim Halsey
2nd RU – Tony Schumacher

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SPORTSMAN RACE OF THE YEAR

Frank Manzo

The man just wins and it doesn’t matter if he holds court behind the wheel of a supercharged, alcohol-burning Funny Car or in public appeal.

Manzo clinched his 12th Lucas Oil Alcohol Funny Car championship, won his 78th career national-event victory and his seventh of the season when he drove the Lucas Oil Chevrolet to a final-round win over Marc White.

"We have a great crew, everybody does their job and I try to do the best I can when I go up there. We're getting it done right now, just like Tony (Schumacher) in Top Fuel. You have to keep taking them, keep going, and I'm really happy. It's hard to win one championship, but to win 12 championship is a tribute to how good my crew is and all the hard work we've put in over the years."


1st RU – Dan Fletcher
2nd RU – Bill Reichert

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MESSAGE BOARD

YELLOWBULLET.com

Last year this message board came out of nowhere to win the revered Message Board of the year crown. This year the competition was prepared but it didn’t matter as the 8,650 registered membership and a few guests accounted for 50.35% of the votes. Yellow Bullet is not for the weak at heart or the thin-skinned. However, it is for those who want a no-holds barred drag racing forum.

1ST RU – CompetitionPlus.com
2nd RU – DragRaceResults.com


NEWS WEBSITE

NHRA.COM

The official voice of the NHRA.com, Phil Burgess does a great job of orchestrating the NHRA’s official Internet news presence. The staff of NHRA.com, largely comprised of Burgess and member of his National DRAGSTER staff, constantly bring new content to a drag racing hungry community. Burgess writes an incredible blog worth a daily read.

1st RU – DragRaceCentral.com
2nd RU – DragRacingOnline.com


PRINTED PUBLICATION

National DRAGSTER

The house organ of the NHRA has now claimed this award for eight of the last ten years and with good reason. Editor Phil Burgess and his staff are first class with a weekly printed publication that covers the NHRA drags like none other. There’s a reason why National DRAGSTER keeps winning.

1st RU – Drag Illustrated
2nd RU – RPM Magazine

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BIGGEST NEWS STORY OF THE YEAR

The Loss of Scott Kalitta

Who could forget the dreadful day in June when we watched in horror as Scott Kalitta’s Funny Car first burst into flames and then crashed in the shutdown area? Scott Kalitta brought a unique flavor or no-nonsense straight to the point attitude into drag racing. Beyond that, he had a heart of gold and for those who were fortunate enough to become his friend, were truly blessed. Rest in peace Scott, we’ll miss you.


1st RU – The Implosion of the Torco Empire
2nd RU – Nitro Racing Shortened to 1,000 Feet


DRAG STRIP OF THE YEAR

zMax Dragway

If anyone ever doubted Bruton Smith before, chances are they won’t again after his whirlwind, yet precise construction of zMax Dragway in Concord, N.C. Not only did Smith go head to head with politicians, he also went head to head with nearly overwhelming odds and the end result was and is a victory for drag racing and the fans. When he said he was going to build the Bellagio of drag strips, I think he greatly underestimated the potential of his troops. This place puts the Bellagio to shame.

1st RU – SREMP – Norwalk, Ohio
2nd RU – The Strip at Las Vegas


SPONSOR OF THE YEAR

Lucas Oil

The supporting cast behind the NHRA’s Sportsman Program, Lucas Oil has been a beacon of light for many drag racers over the years. The longevity of Lucas Oil in the drag racing community and the unselfish actions of Forrest and Charlotte Lucas makes them our Sponsor of the Year award winner this year.


1st RU – Al Anabi
2nd RU – Summit Racing Equipment

 

 

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