NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY AWARD BACKGROUND
The National Geographic Diversity Award was first established in 2003. The NGD award is meant to recognize trackchasers who excel on two fronts. Points are awarded based upon a trackchaser's state ranking in all 50 of the United States and the District of Columbia. For trackchasers to do well in this analysis they must see racing in a large number of states AND rank high in each state's trackchasing standings.
If a trackchaser has seen the most tracks of anyone as reported by www.trackchaser.net, in an individual state, they will receive a score of "1" for that state. The second place finisher gets a "2", third place finisher gets a "3", etc. Anyone finishing outside of the top 10 in an individual state receives a score of 15 in that state. The National Geographic Diversity scoring scale is like golf. The low score wins.
Each year there are two National Geographic Diversity awards. The first is for lifetime results and the second is for annual results. Since 2003 was the first year of this award, only lifetime results were calculated.
All results are tabulated by the National Geograhic Diversity Institute located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Results are certified to be accurate based upon data submitted by each trackchaser and accumulated by trackchaser commissioner, Will White.
For the first time ever our annual NGD winners are both from the state of Pennsylvania. Mike Knappenberger captured the men's annual NGD title and Pam Smith won the women's annual NGD championship.
There were 35 trackchasers who recorded a top 10 finish in one or more states. A large number of 14 trackchasers ranked #1 in one or more states. These trackchasers all led one or more states in 2008:
Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania
Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California
Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin
Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania
Brian Hickey, Westport, Massachusetts
Paul Weisel, Orefield, Pennsylvania
Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania
Bing Metz, Tatamy, Pennsylvania
Pam Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania
Roland Vanden Eynde, Vilvoorde, Belgium
Roger Ferrell, Majenica, Indiana
John Moore, Knoxville, Tennessee
Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California
Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Indiana
This year's trackchasers saw 870 tracks in the United States. Of note was the fact that no tracks at all were seen in the District of Columbia, New Mexico or Rhode Island. Just one track was seen in Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and North Dakota. On the other hand, there were two states where more than 50 new tracks were seen, including:
Ohio -98
Michigan -70
In the annual NGD competition, it pays to go to as many states as possible. In the lifetime competition a trackchaser can go to a large number of tracks and still not be ranked in the top 10 in some states. In the annual competition, it's unlikely that any trackchaser who visits a state will be ranked lower than 10th place, although this did happen in several states this year. That shows the strategy is to see as many states as possible in the annual rankings and as many tracks as possible in the lifetime rankings.
| State track totals | 870 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 44 | 36 | 9 | 23 | 4 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 70 | 18 | 10 | 34 |
| TRACKCHASER | 2008 | AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO |
1 | Mike Knappenberger | 7.67 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 3 |
2 | 8.63 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 1 | |
3 | 8.78 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | |
4 | 9.47 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 3 | |
5 | Brian Hickey | 9.65 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 5 |
6 | Paul Weisel | 11.37 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 7 |
7 | 11.69 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
8 | Bing Metz | 12.37 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 7 |
9 | Allan Brown | 12.51 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 4 | 7 |
10 | Pam Smith | 12.61 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
11 | 12.65 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
12 | Roland Vanden Eynde | 12.78 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
13 | 12.88 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
14 | Roger Ferrell | 13.14 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 5 |
15 | 13.71 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
16 | Bob Schafer | 13.98 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
17 | 14.04 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | |
18 | Ron Rodda | 14.04 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 15 | 15 |
19 | Carol Lewis | 14.06 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 |
20 | Kenny Schrader | 14.14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
21 | Steve Kinser | 14.27 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 7 |
22 | 14.29 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 15 | |
23 | 14.49 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
24 | 14.55 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
25 | 14.57 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
26 | 14.73 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 7 | |
27 | 14.73 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
28 | 14.76 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
29 | 14.76 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
30 | 14.76 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
31 | 14.78 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
32 | 14.82 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
33 | Linda Rixon | 14.82 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
34 | Spike Rixon | 14.82 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
35 | Rick Young | 14.90 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
36 | 15.00 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| State track totals | 870 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 28 | 0 | 48 | 30 | 1 | 98 | 8 | 1 | 49 | 0 | 17 | 3 | 19 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 44 | 6 |
| TRACKCHASER | 2008 | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY |
1 | Mike Knappenberger | 7.67 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
2 | 8.63 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 1 | |
3 | 8.78 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 2 | |
4 | 9.47 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 2 | |
5 | Brian Hickey | 9.65 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 5 | 15 |
6 | Paul Weisel | 11.37 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 |
7 | 11.69 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
8 | Bing Metz | 12.37 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 |
9 | Allan Brown | 12.51 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 15 |
10 | Pam Smith | 12.61 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
11 | 12.65 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | |
12 | Roland Vanden Eynde | 12.78 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
13 | 12.88 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | |
14 | Roger Ferrell | 13.14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
15 | 13.71 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 3 | 9 | 15 | |
16 | Bob Schafer | 13.98 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 |
17 | 14.04 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
18 | Ron Rodda | 14.04 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
19 | Carol Lewis | 14.06 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
20 | Kenny Schrader | 14.14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
21 | Steve Kinser | 14.27 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
22 | 14.29 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
23 | 14.49 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
24 | 14.55 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
25 | 14.57 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 8 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
26 | 14.73 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 9 | 15 | |
27 | 14.73 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
28 | 14.76 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | |
29 |