Winners Everywhere at Knoxville Raceway Awards Ceremony!
Sunday, November 20, 2005
by Bill Wright - An event record 600 people attended the 2005 Knoxville Raceway Awards Ceremony on Saturday night, November 19, at Adventureland’s Palace Theatre in Altoona. More than a quarter of a million dollars in cash and contingencies was doled out for another successful season at Knoxville Raceway.
After dinner, hosts Tony Bokhoven and Justin Zoch introduced hypnotist, Linda Dietz, who got things going with a very humorous program. Words cannot describe seeing John Kearney as a hula instructor and Wayne Johnson playing Elvis. You had to be there to see it (or get the video)!
Kearney kept the humor going (once out of his spell) by presenting flagman Doug Clark with a trailer hitch lock for his camper (so it doesn’t get taken by anyone in particular).
The Knoxville Raceway Charitable Organization came through for the drivers again. They will again provide Knoxville weekly drivers with $10,000 in life insurance and $150,000 in overall coverage for anywhere they race in 2006. In addition to new belts for everyone, they will also provide each driver with a new Design 500 Driving Suit. The suits will be custom made to the driver’s specifications in relation to color and embroidery. 50/50 sales provide most of the funding for the organization and volunteers are needed next season to continue this tradition of giving back to the drivers. These gifts totaled over $3000 for each driver in both the 360 and 410 classes.
The Lyle Boyd Hard-charger Award went to Jake Peters in the 360 class and Wayne Johnson in the 410 class. The award goes to those drivers passing the most cars throughout the season.
The Junior Fan Club awards went to Larry Ball Jr. (360) and Skip Jackson (410). 350 Junior Fan Club members voted for their favorite drivers.
Louie Plude took home the Fan of the Year Award. Louie helps out several teams throughout the night. He was sure to announce that he would share the award with his wife, who is also active at Knoxville.
David Hall (360) and Ricky Logan (410) were deserving of their Sportsman of the Year Awards in their respective classes.
The Most Improved Driver of the Year Awards went to Brett Mather (360), who recorded his first career feature victories this season, and Tim St. Arnold, who recorded his first 410 win in 2005.
Jarod Smith (360) and Kaley Gharst (410) took home Rookie of the Year honors, while Jack Anderson, owner of the 360 7a machine driven by Johnny Anderson, and Tim and Gina Doogs, owners of the Brian Brown piloted 21 in the 410 class, received Owner of the Year awards.
Mahala Cox of the Knoxville fire and rescue crew received a much deserved Dedication Award from Knoxville Raceway for her years of service. Former track announcer, Jack Miller, was on the phone from Florida as he wanted to listen in on Mahala’s award. Little did he know that he would be the recipient of the 17th Annual Heritage Award presented by the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum.
Awards for perfect attendance were handed out to the owners. All of those owners with perfect attendance will receive six free pit passes for the 2006 season. Those with perfect attendance in the 360 class were: K&R Racing 83B, Jack Anderson 7a, L&J Enterprises 5J, Deuce Motorsports 2, Burnham Enterprises 54, Beaver Racing 53, Hall Competition 51, Bronson Maeschen 96, Steve Wares 10, Mackie Heimbaugh 04, Phillips 9, Trostle 20, Lenz 8L, Alexander 6, Waddell Y2, Houseman Y5, CKR Motorsports 22 and the Crabb 12x.
Those accomplishing perfect attendance in the 410 class were: Tony Vermeer 55, FattFro 14AJ, Mike VanderEcken 10, Doogs 21, J&S Motorsports 2, Dan Oswalt D11, Ed Gifford 17G, Strange Performance 47, Calvin Landis 70, Dave Lunstra 1w, Jon Agan 4, Ryan Anderson 71R and the Mike Moore 69.
Drawings for the attendees at the banquet included free tickets, Knoxville Raceway vouchers for “Raceway bucks” and two tickets to four nights of the Nationals.
Ralph Capitani made a popular speech to the throng in attendance and gave an update on the goings on at the track. Among other things, he announced that though things could change, there is a “99.5% chance” the Nationals will go unsanctioned in 2006. He left the possibility open that there may be a race or two sanctioned by a major traveling organization during the season, but “more likely we won’t.” He said further that the high dollar events may remain local and that if the big dogs didn’t want to show up “the local racers can take it home”. He further stated that the $80,000 in sanction fees previously paid would be added on to the Nationals purse to drive it close to $900,000. He stated that drivers and owners will enter the pits free, and “for the first time in a long time, everyone will be treated the same at the Nationals.” Needless to say, this news was popular with the local drivers, crews and fans in attendance and resulted in more than one standing ovation.
A myriad of contingencies were handed out during the night to car owners (forgive me if I missed a couple). Receiving right rear tires from Hoosier were Gharst, Jesse Giannetto, Dustin Selvage and Bronson Maeschen. Brodix cylinder heads went to Hall, Billy Alley, Mike Reinke and Kerry Madsen. John Schulz and Gharst took home a new Maxim chassis. Real wheels provided giveaways to Davey Heskin, Mike Houseman Jr., Nate Mosher, Alan Zoutte, Mike Houseman, Rob Edwards, John Hall, Rager Phillips, Kearney, Frankie Heimbaugh, Mitchell Alexander, Steve Wares, Jackson, Logan, Robert Bell, Mike Moore, Colin Northway, Tyler Houseman and Brent Antill.
Weld Wheels provided wheels for Jake Peters, Joe Beaver, Tom Lenz, Eric Jobe, Pete Crall, Terry Alexander, Dan Thornburg, Justin Henderson, Jon Agan, Matt Moro, Chad Meyer and Lenard McCarl. Vortex wings went to Josh Higday, Mather, Maeschen, Smith, Eric Mason, Edwards, Selvage, Landis, Jaymie Moyle, St. Arnold, Giannetto and Brian Brown. Items from Winters Performance Parts went to Dusty Zomer, Johnny Anderson, Troy Meyer, Ball, Phillips, Wayne Johnson, Ryan Anderson, Lynton Jeffrey, Ed Gifford, Greg Jones and Chris Walraven.
The final item of business on the night was recognizing the top five in points from each class. Mike Roberts provided video highlights, with narration by Tony Bokhoven. In addition to their cash, drivers were given elegant trophies and said a word or two about their season. Many gave thanks to the Raceway for their generous contributions and work over the past year.
Fifth place in the 360 class went to Josh Higday ($3,000), fourth to Larry Ball Jr. ($4,000), third to Johnny Anderson ($5,000) and second to John Kearney ($6,000). In the 410 class, Skip Jackson ($9,000) was fifth, Brian Brown ($10,000) was fourth, Ricky Logan ($12,000) was third and Wayne Johnson ($15,000) was second.
360 champion Jake Peters ($8,000) and 410 champ Kerry Madsen ($20,000) were awarded with a canvas designed by Dave Hill and photos from MSPN. Congratulations to all who make Knoxville Raceway the place to be on Saturday nights!
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