TAN Reader's Choice Awards-Rising Star

This week begins the 2011 Top Alcohol News Reader's Choice Awards. Every week, we will post a new category and its nominees. Voting will take place on our Facebook page and Twitter profile. If you don't have an account on either site, you can email your choices to us. Unless you are viewing this on our mobile site, you can also vote on the poll on the right side of this page. This week's category is.....

Rising Star of the Year
This award recognizes the driver who has stepped up the most during 2011. Most of the nominees have only been competing in their class for a few years, with 2011 being their "breakout" year.

Cassie Simonton (TAFC)
Driving for Spiro Kontos' Kon Rodz Racing team, Cassie Simonton went from crew member to driver of the team's Monte Carlo flopper within two years. Simonton started off 2011 with a career-best 5.56 and first round win at the Gatornationals. She impressed at the U.S. Nationals when she took out Jay Payne in the first round with a 5.61.

Courtesy of Kon Rodz Racing

Brandon Booher (TAD)

Brandon Booher used his consistent blown alcohol-converter combo and quick leaving to his advantage this year. Booher's main highlight of 2011 came at the Norwalk national event, where he reached his first final round in national event competition. A divisional final round at Cordova, semi-final appearance at the U.S. Nationals, and the first 5.3x second run in history round out his top performances in '11. 

Shane Westerfield (TAFC)
With backing from CP-Carrillo, Shane Westerfield's 2011 season also included his first career national event final round appearance, at the Big O Tires Nationals in Vegas. Westerfield also posted consistent performances prior at Seattle, Indy, and Dallas.

Copyright Jeff Moore http://www.twitter.com/onesevenwest)

Blake Alexander (TAD)

Former Comp Eliminator racer Blake Alexander made his first appearance in TAD at the Winternationals, driving the Larry Miersch-owned Exide A/Fuel Dragster. His first semi-final appearance came at the Houston national event. Along with piloting the dragster, Blake also got his feet wet in Fuel Funny Car, debuting at Reading in Paul Smith's car with backing from event sponsor Auto Plus.

Copyright Jeff Moore http://www.twitter.com/onesevenwest

Cody Perkins (TAD)

After racing junior dragsters and making tuning calls on his dad's TAD, Cody Perkins stepped up to driving the Top Alcohol Dragster a few years ago. With support from 801 Racing, Perkins earned his first national event win at Topeka this year. His Utah-based car is a consistent 5.3x blown alcohol player.

Courtesy of John Rogers