World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion Adds Another Accolade To Memorable SeasonCONCORD, NC – Dec. 23, 2011 – Rick Eckert’s memorable World of Outlaws Late Model Series championship season has earned a resounding stamp of approval from the media.
The veteran star from York, Pa., has been named the winner of the 2011 Eastern Motorsport Press Association Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year Award, a prestigious honor voted upon by the organization’s membership.
Eckert, who turned 46 on Dec. 14, will receive his Northeast Driver of the Year trophy on Jan. 7 during EMPA’s annual convention at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa. He will stand in the spotlight with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, who was voted the winner of the EMPA Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year Award.
“Winning this award means a lot to me,” said Eckert, who broke through to capture his first WoO LMS title this season after following the national tour religiously since its re-launch in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. “It’s very humbling to sit back and realize that the media members who cover racing felt that our season stood out above a bunch of great drivers from the Northeast. I will definitely cherish this award.”
Eckert becomes the first dirt Late Model driver to win the EMPA Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year Award since its birth in 1998. The only other dirt Late Model competitor to receive marquee recognition from EMPA is Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., who was voted the EMPA Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year in 2006 after winning the WoO LMS championship that season.
