Biggest Upset, Best Victory Celebration Make the List

SPEED is letting fans have the last word when it comes to the network's inaugural SPEED Performance Awards, offering eight of the show's 10 awards for an open fan vote.

Beginning the week of Nov. 20, SPEED will air nominees for the fan-vote categories, allowing SPEED viewers to vote for their favorites at SPEEDtv.com. The winners will be announced as part of a 90-minute special in February, culminating with the presentation of the Mario Andretti Trophy to the inaugural SPEED Performer of the Year.

Fan-vote categories for the SPEED Performance Awards:

Best Rivalry
Biggest Upset
Biggest "Hit"
Oops Award
Tell it Like it Is
Best Finish
Temper, Temper
Best Victory Celebration

"Some of the categories speak for themselves, but we wanted to make sure to include a sense of humor," said Hunter Nickell, SPEED Executive VP & General Manager. "The 'Oops Award' could be any mistake caught on camera, 'Tell it Like it Is' refers to truthful on-camera interviews and 'Temper, Temper' will take a light-hearted look at some of the year's best confrontations at the race track. Overall, we want this show to not only look at motor sports, but how motor sports plays on television."

The SPEED Performer of the Year will be selected by a panel of racers, journalists and SPEED producers and personalities. The winner will receive the Mario Andretti Trophy, created by bronze artist Elie Hazak.

A tenth award to be presented on the show is in development.

SPEED, celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2006, is the nation's first and foremost cable network dedicated to motor sports and the passion for everything automotive. From racing to restoration, motorcycles to movies, SPEED delivers quality programming from the track to the garage. Now available in more than 73 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on-demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services.