SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Owen A. Kearns, a Hall of Fame publicist, administrator, journalist and respected figure on the California racing scene for 50 years, was announced as winner of the 2021 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations Wednesday.
The Chapman Award is considered by many in the industry as the highest honor in racing public relations. It is named in memory of Chapman, the legendary PR executive and innovator, who worked with Babe Ruth and was named Indy Car racing’s “most influential man” of the 1980s. Chapman died in October 1996 at age 80.
The announcement was made by Michael Knight, chairman of the selection committee, and one of Chapman’s closest friends. The award is determined by a vote of national media members and is authorized by the Chapman family. PR representatives from all forms of motorsports are eligible for consideration. Since COVID-19 led to different work restrictions in various series, making a level playing field evaluation impossible, a sort of veterans committee subset of the full panel nominated and voted for those either retired or active in a very limited way.
“I know Jim would be delighted because Owen works in the old school manner Mr. Chapman perfected during his iconic life and career,” said Knight, the inaugural Chapman Award recipient in 1991 and now award rights-holder. “He’d also smile because both were newspaper reporters and editors, a business Jim revered.
“Jim set the ultimate standard of professionalism, class and dignity, which forever elevated PR and media relations. His word and handshake were his bond. He only did things one way: First class. Most importantly, he knew that solid professional relationships with journalists was important in good times and absolutely essential in bad times.
“Jim was a true ‘people person’ and knew nothing could replace a handshake, a face-to-face conversation, a shared meal, or the sound of another person’s voice.
“If still with us, I’m certain he’d speak out about the highly impersonal way PR is now done by too many, who think social media messages equal relationship-building. He’d point out an email isn’t personalized by addressing it to all. Jim not only knew journalists, he knew them as people, what was happening in their lives, so he could offer congratulations, sympathy or help.”
The Chapman Award has three major purposes: 1. To honor Chapman’s unmatched legacy; 2. To recognize current PR practitioners who work to Chapman’s standard and in his spirit; 3. To provide learning and inspiration for newer and future PR representatives.
Kearns motorsports’ PR career began in 1967 at the Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway, while also writing a weekly racing column for the Bakersfield News Bulletin and the daily Bakersfield Californian. He went on to be a city-side reporter, editorial page editor and executive editor at the Californian before accepting a PR job with NASCAR in 1983.
Kearns handled PR and administrative duties for what was then called the Winston West Series (now ARCA Menards Series West) and the 20-plus weekly tracks in eight western states. He was the founding communications manager for both the NASCAR Northwest and Southwest late-model stock car tours. In 1994, he became the first communications manager for the then NASCAR Craftsman (now Camping World) Truck Series, tasked with national PR outreach and liaison with its tracks, TV and radio partners.
Kearns retired in 2014 but remains active as a West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame Board member. He was inducted into that Hall in 2011.