ARPY honor to Port Royal promoter
Steve O'Neal of Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway this afternoon was named the national Auto Racing Promoter of the Year during the 52nd annual Racing Promotion Monthly workshops in Daytona Beach, Fla.
O'Neal (pictured right), who on Monday was revealed as a regional winner, topped the balloting by RPM voters to add the honors to his six-time Sprint Car Promoter of the Year honors. In his 16th season at Port Royal's half-mile track, he's overseen the addition of major Dirt Late Model events at a facility that's long been a sprint-car stronghold.
“This is an incredible honor,” O'Neal said. “This award is incredible, however it is a team effort. I wouldn’t be up here without the folks that surround me and give me the opportunity at the racetrack. It is humbling and one of the greatest honors you can ever receive in our sport. To join all of the great promoters who have won this award, means a great deal.”
Four other regional winners announced during the workshops are with Late Model-connected tracks, including Monday Region Two honoree Kelley Carlton of Woodruff, S.C., who was honored for his promoting work at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga.
The Region Four winner was Doug Johnson of Huset's Speedway in Brandon, S.D., another open-wheel showplace that is now the home of Late Model racing's Silver Dollar Nationals.
Region Five Promoters of the Year were Brad Stevens and Jessi Mynatt of 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, and the Region Six honorees were Scott Russell and Kami Arnold of Placerville (Calif.) Speedway. Both tracks have Limited Late Models among regular divisions.
