Buddy Rice

Four Indy Racing League drivers are among the 44 nominees for the 2004 Auto Racing All-America team, officials with the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association announced on Nov. 27.

2004 IRL IndyCar® Series champion Tony Kanaan and IndyCar Series standouts Dan Wheldon and Buddy Rice are nominated in the Open Wheel category. 2004 IRL Menards Infiniti Pro SeriesT champion Thiago Medeiros was nominated in the At Large category.

Members of AARWBA will vote from among six drivers named in each of seven categories -- Open Wheel, Stock Car, Road Racing, Drag Racing, Short Track, Touring Series and At Large. Two drivers from each category will be named to the first team and will be honored at the annual AARWBA banquet January 15 in Pomona, California.

The winner of the Jerry Titus Award, the driver earning the most votes in the balloting regardless of category, also will be announced at the banquet.

The balloting also determines a second team of the drivers placing third and fourth in each category, and honorable mentions of drivers receiving at least 5 percent of the vote. AARWBA members have annually chosen an All-America Auto Racing Team since 1970.

Press release
IRL