|
Goodyear and Lucas Oil News Headlines 2009 Knoxville Raceway Banquet!
(Bill W) November 21, 2009 - The Knoxville Raceway banquet was held on
Saturday, November 21 in the Dyer-Hudson building on the Marion County
Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Iowa. Headlining the night's events was the
announcement from marketing director, Brian Stickel, that Lucas Oil would
again sponsor the 2010 Knoxville Championship Cup Series. The track will pay
out well over two million dollars in purse money in 2010.
Race Director, Ralph Capitani later commented on a
deal with Goodyear. In addition to being one of the most lucrative Nationals
sponsors in history, they would be handling the point fund for the track, as
well as supplying one free right rear and left rear tire to each of the 21
drivers who qualified for the point race in 2009. In addition, Goodyear will
have their own points race, with drivers eligible to compete for free tires
during the season. Goodyear has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the
Knoxville Nationals. The 50th edition held August 11-14, 2010
will pay out more than $1,000,000 in prize money.
The band "Retro Jukebox" entertained the throng throughout the reception and
dinner. The entertainment was followed by the Award ceremony.
Long-time Knoxville fan and supporter, John Tomasek of Grinnell, received
the first honor of the night as this year's "Heritage Award". Bob Baker,
from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum also presented Capitani
with his "Outstanding Contribution to the Sport" of 410 racing award. The
award is conducted through a poll of builders, manufacturers and others in
the sport.
Both 410 and 360 drivers finishing outside of the
top five in points were honored next. Logan Mason was named the "Junior Fan
of the Year", and
Matt Moro (360) and
Skip Jackson (410)
were named "Junior Fan Club Drivers of the Year". The award was Skip's fifth
in a row, while Matt Moro won the award for the second year in a row in that
category.
The Knoxville Racing Charitable Organization received praise for their
commitment to safety in sprint car racing. In turn, the KRCO presented their
contingencies for all drivers qualifying for the point standings. Included
in each driver's package were a new driver's suit, underwear, gloves, and
insurance covering the drivers wherever they may compete in a racecar.
The "Lyle Boyd Hard Charger Award" was next on the agenda, awarding the
drivers who passed the most cars in A main events this season. Dustin
Selvage received the award in the 360 class, and Kerry Madsen was the 410
winner. Ryan Roberts (360) and Bronson Maeschen (410) were named the "Most
Improved Driver" in their respective classes.
Missouri's Brian Brown received the honor of 410 "Owner of the Year", while
owner/driver
Gregg Bakker from
Sioux Falls, South Dakota took home the same award in the 360 class for the
second year in a row. Dusty Zomer was the honoree in the "Sportsman of the
Year" category in the 410 class, and was joined in the 360 class by Johnny
Anderson. Finally, "Rookie of the Year" Awards went out to Chris Morgan
(410) and Jonathan Cornell (360).
The big hardware went out last to the top five drivers and owners in the
point standings. In the 360 class, Dennis Moore Jr. (5th),
Ryan Roberts (4th),
Dustin Selvage (3rd),
Jonathan Cornell
(2nd) and Clint Garner (champion) were honored in the driver category, while
Dwight Snodgrass (5th),
Roberts (4th), Ray
Grimes (3rd), Kiowa Line Builders (2nd), and Boyd and Glenda Fluth
(champion) received owner awards. The championships were the first in the
careers of Garner and the Fluth's.
In the 410 class,
Don Droud Jr. (5th),
Dusty Zomer (4th),
Terry McCarl (3rd),
Brian Brown (2nd) and
Johnny Herrera
(champion) were drivers honored, while owner awards went to
Gil Sonner (5th), Ed
and Theresa Gifford (4th), Brian Brown Racing (3rd), Larry and Lori Woodward
(2nd) and Tod Quiring (champion). Officially, it was the second career
championship for Herrera, who also won in 1995.
Drivers qualifying for points all won contingency
awards as well. The big winners won a new chassis. Dustin Selvage and Ryan
Anderson received new J&J chassis, while the Jordan Brothers #1 team brought
home a Maxim chassis.
For more info, visit www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com!
 |
