Holland, NY - Holland Speedway honored the top drivers of the 2006 racing season at the Western New York oval at its annual awards banquet on Friday evening, December 1st. The event was held at the Millennium Hotel and Conference Center in Cheektowaga, NY. Approximately 275 braved a serious windstorm to be in attendance - the storm triggered a power outage in the area late in the proceedings, but the ceremonies continues courtesy of emergency generators, candles, and reasonably quiet co-operation from those in attendance.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series 2006 Division III Champion Mark "Bushy" Bliss of Arcade, NY received top honors for the second straight season as Holland's 2006 Sunoco Late Model Pro Stock Champion. Bliss captured four feature victories en route to the track title, which was up for grabs on the final race night of the season - Mark's fourth place finish on that final night vaulted him to the top points slot. Bliss also received the Driver of the Year award from Boundy's Racing Museum of Holland.
Bill Matuszak (with one feature win), who was in the chase for the title through that final night, and Mike Fiebelkorn, Jr. received their Late Model Pro Stock second and third place seasonal awards. The Fielbelkorn Ford #50 also earned the McCool's Paint Workz Best Appearing Late Model award.
On the strength of four feature wins, Neil Hopkins of West Falls, NY earned his fifth career Carquest Pro Modified title. Among his wins was a third career victory in the prestigious George Decker Memorial Challenge - Phyllis and Barry Decker of Bar-Chel of Springville, NY presented Neil with this special race win trophy. Neal Dietz, Jr. (with 2 wins) finished second in the points chase, while Chuck Anderson (with one win) placed third. Anderson also received the Bank of Holland Pro Modified Most Popular Driver award.
Tim Welshans of West Falls, NY, had a busy season in 2006, competing in both the Native Pride Charger division and the Carquest Pro Modified class. Welshans parlayed two victories and numerous top five finishes to a first career Charger title, and with a 10th place finish in Pro Modified points, earned that division's Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year award. The Welshans family was well represented in the Charger ranks, as brother Matt Welshans scored two victories, placed second in points, and earned the Charger division Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year award. 2005 divisional champ Jerry Kosmowski earned two wins and placed third in 2006 points. The Kosmowski crew received the PGT Services Best Appearing Pit Crew award.
The winningest driver at Holland in 2006 was Brian Porebski of Hamburg, NY. Porebski raced to six wins in capturing his first career Pro Four title. Shawn Lafferty, with a single win, placed second in points, and also received the division's Let's Celebrate Candy & Gifts Most Improved Driver award, the PGT Services Best Appearing Pit Crew Award, and the Bank of Holland Most Popular Driver award. Placing third in Pro Four points with three feature wins was Sean Kirsch.
Eric Hammill of Erie, PA became Holland's first INEX Legends track champ in the initial year of regularly scheduled racing of that division at the Speedway. Hammill picked up a feature win to edge Larry Occhibone and Chris Bailey, Jr. for the crown. The Hammill crew also earned the PGT Services Best Appearing Pit Crew award. Occhibone, who placed second in points, also received the McCool's Paint Workz Best Appearing Car Award for his #9. Bailey's third place points finish came on the strength of three feature victories.
Rob "Chopper" Willard of Buffalo, NY picked up a first career championship in the South Buffalo Auto Parts Figure 8 Car division. Willard drove to four feature wins throughout the year, while also competing in the Pro Four class (finishing 10th in points). Willard also received the McCool's Paint Workz Best Appearing Car award for his #1. With two feature wins, Jason Adams placed second in points, and received the Bank of Holland Most Popular Driver award. "Big Dave" Zimmer scored three wins en route to a third place points finish.
Pat Spruce of Gowanda, NY roared to three wins to clinch his first title in the 8-cylinder Challenger division. Gary Denea place second in points, with Scott Pastorius earning two wins to grab third in the final standings.
Though he went winless on the season, top fives each time out spelled success for Bill Lutz of Lancaster, NY, as he earned his first 4-cylinder Hornet title. Lutz also competed in the Figure 8 Car division (placing 6th in points). In addition, Lutz earned the Let's Celebrate Candy & Gifts Most Improved Hornet Driver award. Jesse Baker rolled to one feature victory while placing second in points, and Ricky Roth earned two wins to grab a third place points finish. Roth, who was leading in points going into the final night when an on-track incident knocked him out of contention, received the Wardynski & Sons Hard Luck Award, and was also the recipient of the McCool's Paint Workz Holland Speedway Most Sportsmanlike Driver award. The crew for the Roth team (Ricky and brother Tyler) earned the PGT Services Best Appearing Pit Crew award.
Her third win of the season on the final points night propelled Mae Urban of Cheektowaga, NY to her first ever Queen Bees title, in what was the closest points battle across the board. Mae was also honored by NASCAR as the Craftsman Tools Mechanic of the Year at Holland for her work on the Charger division racer of husband George. Kim Marzec fell just short of that elusive crown, with two victories over the year to place second in points. Nicole Twoguns placed third in the final points tally.
Craig Dumbleton of Try-It Distributing presented the Budweiser Late Model 100 trophy to the crew of Will Thomas. The was Thomas' first win of the Holland hallmark Late Model late season classic.
The prestigious Ray Greenan Award, for contributions and dedication to auto racing, was presented to long time racer, car owner, and mechanic Mike Fiebelkorn, Sr. and the Fiebelkorn Racing Team. The Holland Unsung Hero Award was presented to popular Assistant Pit Steward and Speedway Safety Crew member Jerry Ward. The Holland Woman in Racing Award went to Lisa Grimmer, chief mechanic on husband Al's Charger division entry. Larry Ott, motorsports writer for the Buffalo News, received the Media Appreciation Award.
Other awards presented included --
Clark Rice Memorial Rookies of the Year: Nik Welshans (Pro Four), Frank Nellist (Hornet), Cassy Newell (Queen Bee).
Bank of Holland Most Popular Drivers: Jeff Brown (Sunoco Late Model), Al Grimmer (Native Pride Charger), Jake Vernon (INEX Legends), Jack Warrior (Challengers), Jason Nellist (Hornets), Ashley Kirschberger (Queen Bees).
PGT Services Best Appearing Pit Crew: Nick Crassi Crew (Sunoco Late Model).
McCool's Paint Workz Best Appearing Cars: Al Grimmer #34 (Native Pride Charger), D.J. Hutchinson #7 (Pro Four), Frank Nellist #77 (Hornet), Marcia Sullivan #92 (Queen Bee).
Let's Celebrate Candy & Gifts Most Improved Drivers: Mike Ames (Sunoco Late Model), Jeff Ruddy (Carquest Pro Modified), Joe Eck (Native Pride Charger).
Wardynski & Sons Hard Luck Awards: Rick Roth (Native Pride Charger), Rich Carnes (Pro Four), Ashley Kirschberger (Queen Bee).
Feature Win Awards: Sunoco Late Models - Will Thomas (2); Carquest Pro Modifieds - Steve Kreitzbender (3); Native Pride Chargers - Marty Hughes, Mike Flaig, Dave Krawczyk; Pro Fours - Cam Barber; South Buffalo Auto Parts Figure 8 Cars - Sharon Hughes; Hornets - Frank Nellist (3), Tyler Roth; Queen Bees - Ashley Kirschberger, Sally Latina.
- From Holland Speedway
No comments:
Post a Comment