Capacity Crowd Cheers On Recipients
ROSSBURG, OH (January 30) – With the recent staging of Eldora Speedway’s Awards Celebration, and the crowning of the divisional champions, the 2011 auto racing season has officially drawn to a close.
Before a capacity crowd, championship honors were bestowed upon Rob Trent (Stock Cars) and Jerry Bowersock (Modifieds), as well as Brian Ruhlman and Jon Henry who shared the Late Model title as the result of a tie in the final point standings.
In addition to their trophies and point fund disbursements, the champions received personalized Eldora Speedway jackets from Oakley and custom driver uniforms from Simpson Race Products.
Earlier in the evening, a drawing for drivers with perfect attendance resulted in David Smith winning a 32” JVC television courtesy of the Celina, OH Aaron’s Sales & Lease store, while Andrew Reaume was the last driver standing in the reverse raffle for the Bert transmission.
Specialty awards were the highlight of the fun-filled evening with Jeep VanWormer receiving the most coveted of them, the Chick Hale Sportsman of the Year Award.
Rookie of the year honors were bestowed upon Amanda Smith (Stock Car), John Phlipot, Jr. (Modified) and Matt Westfall (Late Model). Named as the Most Improved Drivers were Dean Pitts (Stock Car), Josh Morton (Modified) and J.R. Hotovy (Late Model), while Hard Luck Awards were distributed to Casey Barr (Stock Car), Shaun Smith (Modified) and Andrew Reaume (Late Model). Voted to have the Best Appearing Cars were Eric Sandlin (Stock Car), Nick Ketterhenry (Modified) and Jon Henry (Late Model).
The championship drivers, and their courts, were not alone when it came to recognition.
Named as the Owner of the Year was Mike Dirksen, while Allan Phillippi was awarded the Mechanic of the Year award. Jeff August of Plymouth, WI was announced as the Fan of the Year, while photographer Nancy Lane-Feldner was the recipient of the Woman of the Year plaque.
Roger Slack was introduced to the crowd as the new General Manager and released the exciting 2012 slate of events for Eldora’s famed one-half mile clay oval. The schedule, which is also available online at www.EldoraSpeedway.com, includes all of the traditional major events, including the Feed The Children Prelude to the Dream (June 6), Dirt Late Model Dream, (June 8 & 9), Kings Royal Weekend (July 13 & 14) and the World 100 (September 7 & 8)
Tickets for Eldora Speedway’s major events may be purchased by calling the speedway office (937) 338-3815 during normal business hours or around the clock online at www.EldoraSpeedway.com. The ticketing staff is busy prepping the online system for the balance of the scheduled events and camping reservations, as well.