2/11/2026
Racing Promotion Monthly
DOUG JOHNSON AWARDED THE 50TH ANNUAL “GOLDEN” ANNIVERSARY AUTO-RACING PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
- At the 53rd Annual RPM@Daytona Workshops at The Shores Resort & Spa -
— Kathy Root Awarded 4th Annual “Jody Deery Award” | Regional Promoters of the Year Announced | Jim Ford Classic Named RPM Outstanding Event of the Year —
Daytona Beach, Fla. (February 10, 2026) — Doug Johnson, promoter of Huset’s Speedway, was introduced this afternoon as the 50th Annual “Golden Anniversary” Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year during the RPM@Daytona Workshops, held at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida. Johnson represents Region Four – the Upper Midwest Region as part of the RPM balloting.
“This is an incredible honor,” stated Johnson. “While this award is extremely special, it truly reflects a team effort. I wouldn’t be standing here without the people who surround me and give me the opportunity to do what I love at the race track. It is humbling and one of the greatest honors you can receive in our sport. To join the list of outstanding promoters who have earned this award means a great deal to me. I especially want to thank my wife. Racing has been our life, and the track means so much to us. We hope to continue this tradition for many years to come.”
Johnson has previously been named RPM Regional Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year four (4) times, further underscoring his long-standing commitment and impact within the sport.
Jody Deery Award
Kathy Root of Vinton, Iowa, was announced as the fourth annual recipient of the Jody Deery Award. The award is named in honor of the late promoter Jody Deery of Rockford Speedway and has become one of the most anticipated honors presented at the RPM Workshops.
Deery and her husband, Hugh, were pioneer promoters who helped bring the RPM Workshops into existence. Root purchased IMCA from Keith Knaack and successfully expanded the organization into one of the largest sanctioning bodies in short-track racing, all while maintaining an affordable platform for competitors. Today, the organization continues under the leadership of her son, Brett Root.
Regional Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year Award Winners
The following individuals and teams were honored as 2026 Regional Auto-Racing Promoter of the Year Award recipients:
Region One – Eastern Region: Kolten Gouse, BAPS Motor Speedway
Region Two – Southeast Region: Jeremy Burnett & Ashly Burnett, Millbridge Speedway
Region Three – Central Midwest Region: Matt Curl, Fairbury American Legion Speedway
Region Five – Midwest Region: Danny Lorton, Lucas Oil Speedway
Region Six – Southwest & Western Region: Kevin Rudeen, Skagit Speedway
Region Seven – Australia & New Zealand (New in 2025): Michael Parry, Premier Speedway, Australia
Feature stories on each of the regional award winners will appear in the February edition of the RPM Newsletter at www.promotersnewsletter.com.
RPM Outstanding Event of the Year
The Jim Ford Classic, held annually at Fremont Speedway and promoted by Rich and Shelley Farmer, was named the RPM Outstanding Event of the Year.
The 53rd Annual RPM@Daytona Workshops continue to stand as a “can’t-miss” event for racetrack promoters throughout North America, Australia, and New Zealand.
About RPM
The Racing Promotion Monthly (RPM) Newsletter and RPM Workshops provide education, networking, and collaboration opportunities for track promoters, operators, sanctioning bodies, and industry partners across North America.
The RPM Workshops are presented by Hoosier Racing Tire and K&K Insurance, with additional support from BluePrint Engines, RACEceiver, MyRacePass, Firethorn Marketing, EventSprout, and others.
Article Media
