In addition to being one of the finalists for SPEED Performer of the Year and the prestigious Mario Andretti Trophy, World Superbike rookie Ben Spies is one of the candidates for RACER Rookie of the Year, as part of the 4th Annual SPEED Performance Awards. Voting is open to the all fans until Dec. 20. To cast your ballot, please visit www.speedperformanceawards.com. “Ben undertook a daunting challenge this year moving up to World Superbikes,” Andretti said. “Practically every venue was new to him and he performed spectacularly. For Ben to win the world championship in his very first try with 11 poles, 14 wins and 17 podiums this has to be considered the individual performance of the year.” Added SPEED’s Bob Varsha: “The likes of Valentino Rossi and Freddie Spencer never won a world motorcycle road racing championship at their first attempt. Kenny Roberts did in the old 500cc class, and the season Spies had is on that kind of plane.” SPEED™ is the nation’s first and foremost cable television 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 79 million homes in North America, SPEED is among the fastest-growing sports cable networks in the country and, the home to NASCAR on SPEED and an industry leader in interactive TV, video on demand, mobile initiatives and broadband services. For more information, please visit SPEEDtv.com, the online motor sports authority.