Inaugural Ted Johnson Award honoree announced

SLS Promotions Presented Inaugural Ted Johnson Memorial Award

Norman, OK--Nov. 1, 2006-- Ted Johnson did more for sprint car racing than can ever be documented. In his honor, and to carry on the legacy that he created, the World of Outlaws Sprint Series established the Ted Johnson Memorial Award to be presented annually to an individual or group that had made a significant contribution to the sport.

The inaugural award was presented Sunday evening as part of the World of Outlaws season ending banquet at The Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Brian Carter, the Chief Financial Officer for DIRT MotorSports, who was instrumental in establishing the award, after building a close friendship with Johnson over the past couple of years, presented the award to SLS Promotions, for their hard work and tireless effort in the events they helped promote this past season. Scott Boyd received the award along with his partners Larry Hillerud and Steve Sinclair.

The trio promoted 19 World of Outlaws events in 2006, including the series inaugural visit to three different tracks. The first was at the blazing fast high-banks of U.S. 36 Raceway in Cameron, Missouri in May. A packed grandstand was thrilled by Jac Haudenschild riding the high side of the track for his first win of the season and the first World of Outlaws win for his car owner Rick Wright.

In August, SLS Promotions welcomed the series to Nodak Speedway in Minot, North Dakota for the first time. The event drew a standing room only crowd that was the largest in the 50-plus year history of the track. The crowd was thrilled by hometown favorite Donny Schatz coming from the 14th starting spot to take lead, before suffering a flat tire. The 2006 series champion worked his way back to a seventh place finish, in an event won by Terry McCarl.

After enduring a rainout in late September, Boyd, Hillerud, and Sinclair, worked tirelessly to bring the fans at Wilmot (Wisc.) Speedway "The Greatest Show on Dirt" for the first time in the history of the Kenosha area track. On a very chilly evening in early October, the fans packed the stands, and saw one of the most exciting World of Outlaws events all season, as Mark Dobmeier filling in for Brooke Tatnell, picked up his first career win over rookie Jeremy Campbell who finished second, and Daryn Pittman who crossed the finish line backwards in third.

Boyd addressing the large crowd in attendance on the festive night at The Bally's, shared some of the numerous stories and memories he had of Johnson, including a conversation he had with the sprint car visionary before he passed away last month.

"We are very proud and honored to receive this award," said Boyd. "Ted had a vision and we all are here to continue to carry that on."

Many people and groups will help to carry that vision on in the future, and each year the World of Outlaws will honor them by presenting them with the Ted Johnson Memorial Award, as they did this season with SLS Promotions for all their hard work and dedication to the sport.

-credit: woo