Big Mack wins super sized award

Donnie Mack named NST Promoter of the Year

VISALIA, Calif. - Longtime racing promoter Donnie Mack has been named the National Sprint Tour `Promoter of the Year’ for 2006. The announcement was made during the NST’s inaugural awards banquet Oct. 15 at the Holiday Inn in Visalia, Calif. Mack promoted the July 7-8 NST doubleheader at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Mack and his brother Linus are partners with Wayne Anderson and Darren Evavold. Mack raced for 22 years before turning to promoting in 1980 per a request from World of Outlaws founder Ted Johnson.

“Don Mack has been promoting races for at least 100 years,” quipped NST interim director John Deckard. “He has to have been doing it that long, because that’s the only way to explain how good of a job he does:  practice, practice, practice.

“Seriously, probably the easiest thing the National Sprint Tour had to do this year was decide on our `Promoter of the Year’ award winner,” Deckard added. “Donnie and his group bring a very special effort and understanding to their promotions. They are without a doubt dedicated to the fans, and making the race events as special as they can be. If every promoter did the job that Donnie and his folks do, you’d see a far different landscape out there.a much better one.

“Donnie, we appreciate everything you do. You were without a doubt our `Promoter of the Year,’ and we look forward to working with you again next season. We can’t wait.”

In reality, Mack has `only’ been promoting races for 26 years. The inaugural NST weekend at River Cities Speedway featured great racing both nights.

In the Friday night show, Tim Kaeding won after a stirring duel with boss Steve Kinser and Jason Solwold. The next night, eventual series champion Danny Lasoski had to hold off determined defending track champion Mark Dobmeier, then had to withstand a banzai pass attempt on the last lap by Kaeding when traffic slowed the leader.

“They were good races,” Mack said. “It was just excellent racing. We feel the racing was great advertising for next year.”

The advertising for this year’s race included having a meet and greet. Initially the event was going to feature just Steve `The King’ Kinser, but all of the NST drivers came.

“We put a lot of work into it,” Mack said. “We came up with the idea of the meet and greet with the racers. It was very successful. I think that was a big part in us getting off to a good start for our first NST show.”

According to Mack, the award provided plenty of satisfaction for all of that hard work.

“It’s always nice to be recognized as doing a good job promoting a race,” Mack said. “It’s just nice to be recognized for what we’re hoping is a good job.”

After racing for 22 years and promoting for a combined 48 years, does that make earning the inaugural NST `Promoter of the Year’ award that much sweeter for Mack?

“I would say so,” the 67-year-old said.

Mack warmly welcomed the NST to his track in 2006, and can’t wait for next year’s doubleheader.

“We’re scheduled for the 6th and 7th of July next year,” Mack said. “We’re really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a good weekend.”

By Craig Murphy | NST Media