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Over $250K in Cash and Contingencies Doled Out at Knoxville Banquet!!! By: Bill W KNOXVILLE, IA (Nov 17) - More than $250K in cash and contingencies were handed out at the Knoxville banquet Saturday night. The banquet celebrated the 54th season of weekly racing action at the "Sprint Car Capital of the World"! After a social hour and dinner, comedian "The Roundguy" entertained the assembled crowd. Headlining the award winners were 410 Knoxville Championship Cup Winner Brian Brown, and 360 Knoxville Championship Cup Winner Josh Higday. All 48 drivers in both the 410 and 360 standings walked away with cash and contingencies for their 2007 efforts. Prizes doled out included Hoosier tires, chassis, Heads, blocks, wings, hubs and spindles, drivelines and axles. Big contingency winners included car owner Steve Wares and Mark Dobmeier, who each went home with a J&J chassis, and Nate Van Haaften and Rager Phillips, who each toke home a Maxim chassis. The first award handed out was the Heritage Award presented by the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. The award went to long-time driver, and current car owner, Larry Weeks. Fans of the Year were long-time staples at the raceway, Alice Matthews and Ernestine Judkins. The 360 Awards were up next. Brett Mather took home the Lyle Boyd Hard-charger Award for passing the most cars in A features this season. Dustin Selvage took home the "Most Improved" honors. His season was capped by his first career win on Season Championship night. Ryan Roberts team won "Owner of the Year". The team traveled on a weekly basis from Aurora, Nebraska to compete at Knoxville. The Sporstman of the Year was Rick Ideus, who also won his first Knoxville feature this year. Bryan Dobesh ran away with "Rookie of the Year" honors, after finishing second in the driver points by a narrow margin. In the 410 class, Kaley Gharst won the Lyle Boyd Hard-Charger Award. He credited his lack of qualifying for having to pass the most cars. Calvin Landis was "Most Improved", bolstered by his third place showing in the points race. The Dover racing team won "Owner of the Year". They travel weekly from Springfield, Nebraska. Robert Bell got quite an ovation for taking "Sportsman of the Year" honors. Robert personifies what having fun racing is all about. Mark Dobmeier's "Rookie of the Year" Award was accepted by father, Mike. Of course, Mark is currently racing in Australia. The Junior Fan Club Awards were next, and the favorite drivers of the youngsters were Joe Beaver (360) and Skip Jackson (410). The Junior Fan Club Members of the Year were Brittany and Mackenzie Sewell. Those with perfect attendance in 2007 were honored with five free pit passes for 2008. Those drivers were: CJ Houseman, Tom Lenz, Alan Zoutte, Nate Van Haaften, Tyler Thompson, Josh Schneiderman, Frankie Heimbaugh, John Schulz, Dustin Selvage, Brett Mather, Dave Hall, Joe Beaver, Johnny Anderson, Steve Wares, Matt Moro, Josh Higday, Bryan Dobesh, Gil Sonner, Mike Moore, Rager Phillips, Bronson Maeschen, Brent Antill, Ricky Logan, Kaley Gharst, Mark Dobmeier, Tony Vermeer, Skip Jackson, Calvin Landis, Dusty Zomer, Brian Brown and Bob Weuve. The Knoxville Raceway Charitable Organization raises money all year long through 50/50 sales, and will again provide insurance in 2008 to all drivers in the point standings. In addition, the KRCO will provide Shaver Driveline Covers and a HANS Device to each driver. Doug Brown from Jocko's Auto Parts also helped to make this possible. The top five drivers in Owner points were honored next. In the 360 class, Jack Anderson #7a (5th), Steve Wares #10 (4th), Matt Moro #2m (3rd), Dwight Snodgrass #2x (2nd) and Bryan Dobesh #2D (1st) were honored. In the 410 class, it was Tony Vermeer #55 (5th), J&S Auto Sports #2 (4th), Calvin Landis #70 (3rd), Dusty Zomer #1z (2nd) and Tim and Gina Doogs #21 (1st). As is custom, the top five in driver points were honored last. A video tribute to each was played, followed by a few words from each. Dave Hall (5th), Johnny Anderson (4th), Matt Moro (3rd), Bryan Dobesh (2nd) and champion, Josh Higday, took honors in the 360s, while Billy Alley (5th), Skip Jackson (4th), Calvin Landis (3rd) and Dusty Zomer (2nd) joined champion Brian Brown in the 410 class to close out the program. A DJ and dancing followed the Award ceremonies. |