The Kansas Department of Commerce's Office of Minority and Women Business Development has named Kansas Speedway's Latoria Chinn as its Minority Business Advocate of the Year.

The Minority Business Advocate Award is given to an individual who demonstrates outstanding support of minority entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses in Kansas.

"Torrie was recognized because she continuously helps to advance the business interests for minority business owners throughout our area, and especially in Kansas City, Kansas," speedway President Jeff Boerger said. "Kansas Speedway has always supported these businesses, and Torrie's efforts here set the standard that all professional organizations should follow."

When Kansas Speedway was built, track leaders vowed to steer at least 18 percent of its business to minority-owned companies. That leadership also vowed to meet operational spending with minority-owned businesses in the areas of professional services, goods and supplies and other services on a day-to-day basis.

As Kansas Speedway's compliance and guest services manager, Chinn assists the speedway's Accounting Department in tracking and summarizing that spending. Every year since 2001, Kansas Speedway has not only met its goals, it has exceeded them - most by more than double.

Chinn will receive the award at the Department of Commerce's 22nd Annual Minority and Women Business Awards Luncheon at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka, Kan., on Sept. 22.

"The Department of Commerce is proud to name Torrie the winner of this year's Minority Business Advocate Award," Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Fricke said. "Through her work at Kansas Speedway, Torrie has demonstrated outstanding support of minority-owned businesses in the Kansas City Area and throughout the state. Torrie's efforts demonstrate how business leaders can improve their communities and the overall business climate in Kansas by developing relationships with minority entrepreneurs."

Kansas' Office of Minority and Women Business Development promotes business development with a focus on minority- and women-owned businesses. Information and referrals are provided in the areas of procurement, contracting and subcontracting, financing and business management. The office also partners with other business advocates to sponsor business education workshops and seminars.

Kansas Speedway's sixth season of racing culminates Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 with the NASCAR Busch Series Yellow 300 and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Banquet 400 presented by ConAgra Foods, respectively.