AARWBA Selects All-America Team
A group of special drivers representing multiple forms of professional motorsports is elected each year by AARWBA. The association’s members vote on drivers within their participating categories of racing. The driver receiving the most votes from each discipline is elected to the All-America Team.
Simon Pagenaud was the top vote getter in the Open Wheel division. Pagenaud claimed the Verizon Indycar Series Championship driving for Team Penske. He clinched the crown on the strength of five victories, including the season finale at Sonoma Raceway.
Road Racing saw the driving team of Joao Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi earn the most votes following a runner-up finish in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Prototype division with Action Express Racing. The team scored a win at Watkins Glen Int’l during the 2016 campaign.
World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car kingpin Donny Schatz led the vote tally in the Short Track Division. Schatz’s 25 wins, 60 top-fives, 77 top-tens and five quick time awards highlighted his championship year. Schatz’s title was the eighth of his crown.
Jimmie Johnson led the way in the Stock Car category. Johnson claimed his seventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, tying the record currently held by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. He capped off the year by winning the title and the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Johnson was also recognized as the Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy winner for the driver having the most overall votes.
The Drag Racing category was shared by Antron Brown and Ron Capps, who won the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Top Fuel and Funny Car championships, respectively. Brown and Capps tied with an equal number of votes cast by the AARWBA membership.
In the Touring Series category, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter earned the most votes. He won three races at Daytona Int’l Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway.
Seven-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race winner William Byron was the At Large category’s top vote earner. He captured victories at Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Kentucky, Pocono, New Hampshire and Homestead-Miami.
NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Champion Todd Gilliland was voted the Rising Star Award. The 16-year-old won the title and the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award. Gilliland won his first four career series starts going back to the 2015 finale at Phoenix Int’l Raceway and will compete in four NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races for Kyle Busch Motorsports this season.