CART Atlantic driver Orsi nominated 2001 AARWBA team

Highland Park, Ill. (November 27, 2001) -- Reigning CART Toyota Atlantic Series champion Hoover Orsi has been nominated by the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) in the "At Large" category for its 2001 Auto Racing ...

Highland Park, Ill. (November 27, 2001) -- Reigning CART Toyota Atlantic Series champion Hoover Orsi has been nominated by the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) in the "At Large" category for its 2001 Auto Racing All-Star team.

Orsi, who captured the series title in his second Atlantic season, earned his first-ever AARWBA nomination following his outstanding campaign. The Brazilian native not only won his first Atlantic Championship, but helped win a first for his team, Hylton Motorsports. Orsi won five of the season's 12 races including an impressive four race winning streak which eventually propelled him to the 2001 Championship. In addition to his wins, Orsi won a series high four poles and finished on the podium in all but one event; a feat only accomplished by Patrick Carpentier during his 1996 Championship season. Orsi completed the season with a total of 187 points, 56 ahead of Canada's David Rutledge who drove for Lynx Racing.

The AARWBA All-America Team annually recognizes the top 12 drivers in North American motorsports. The team is split into six categories: Open-Wheel Racing, Road Racing, Short Track, Stock Car Racing, Drag Racing and At Large. Votes are collected from the AARWBA membership to determine first-team, second-team, third-team, fourth-team and honorable-mention (those receiving at least five percent of the vote) selections. The leading vote-getter receives the Jerry Titus Award as the All-America Team's driver of the year. The AARWBA All-America Team honorees will be announced at the All-America Team Banquet in January.

The CART Toyota Atlantic Championship is one of the world's premier open-wheel development series and the top rung on CART's "ladder system". It is also noted for its long history of graduating its stars into CART competition. Among the drivers who have graduated from the Atlantic Series are CART Champ Car stars Michael Andretti, Jimmy Vasser, Alex Barron, Memo Gidley, Patrick Carpentier, Alex Tagliani as well as former series champions Bobby Rahal, Danny Sullivan and Jacques Villeneuve.