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Eleven Division Champions Honored at Mountain Speedway Awards Ceremony
By: Gene Ostrowski
November 16
, 2008
In its ninth season under the promotion of Hazleton’s Joe Callavini,
Mountain Speedway held its annual awards banquet Saturday at Best
Western Genetti Inn & Suites in Hazleton, PA.
Over three
hundred people were in attendance, including crew members, friends and
family members of racers that compete at the 1/3-mile asphalt oval in
St. Johns, PA. Along with the presentation of special awards, the end
of the year celebration was held to recognize the top points finishers
in a record eleven divisions.
Mike Odwazny, the chief steward of the speedway introduced Callavini,
who took the stage and presented appreciation awards to Debbie
Heintzelman, Joan Dancho and Dorothy Callavini.
Champions were honored over the course of the evening and led up to the
much anticipated crowning of the modified champion, Rusty Smith. Smith
is a native of Oxford, NY and had a tremendous championship season, as
his worst feature finish all season was a disappointing third place
effort.
While on the stage and in the spotlight, Smith was presented with two
trophies. The first was for the regular season modified championship
and the second was for his championship season in the PA Asphalt
Modified Championship Series.
Smith was then presented with the championship check from Matt Balliet
of Balliet’s Country Corners. Balliet and his wife, Barb, have been
huge supporters of the modified division at the speedway over the last
several seasons.
The awards kept coming for Smith.
Next he was presented with a Florida vacation package from Sundance
Vacations, followed by a championship ring from Jerry Woody, owner of
Golden Carat Jewelers. Woody also presented a championship car owner
ring to Smith’s father.
Including the cash prizes, Smith was presented with approximately $8,000
worth of prizes.
The divisional champions that were also honored were Mike Sweeney (late
model), Richie DiMarco (street stock), Nick Ross (thriller), Jeff
Biegley (4 cyl FWD), Rick Zacharias (sport modified), Ron Frees (super
stock), Roger Coss (legends), Robert Vassiliotos, Jr. (bandolero), Joe
Jentile (6/8 cyl. enduro) and Dave Bentley, Jr. (4 cyl. enduro)
Wooden mantle clocks were presented to the drivers that ran the fastest
feature lap of the season. Earl Paules picked up the prize for the
sport modified and regular modified division. Roger Heffelfinger, Jr.
has the fastest late model time, as did Steve Clark in the street
stocks. Scott Adams was awarded the prize for the thriller division, as
was Nikki Wachs Sager in the 4 cyl. FWD class. Frank Reakes took the
honor for the super stocks and Ryan Truex held the fastest lap for the
legends.
The R-N-R Auto Restoration rookie of the year winners were Todd Baer
(modified), Ricky Ross, Jr. (late model), Steve Shultz (street stock),
Nick Ross (thriller) and Jeff Biegley (4 cyl. FWD), Rick Zacharias
(sport modified), Ron Frees (super stock) and Roger Coss (legends).
The Valley Service Equipment Repair hard chargers of the season were
Rusty Smith (modified), Joe Hoffman (late model), Chip Wanamaker (street
stock), Nick Ross (thriller) and Jeff Biegley (4 cyl. FWD)
The Reflex Spray on Bed Liners most improved driver awards were
presented to Kyle Ebersole (modified), Mike Sweeney (late model), Brian
Wozniak (street stock), Mike Moyer, Jr. (thriller) and Jessica McGlynn
(4 cyl. FWD).
The Printer’s Edge most popular driver awards went to Andy Walko
(modified), Joe Hoffman (late model), Steve Shultz (street stock), Scott
Adams (thriller), Jess McGlynn (4 cyl.FWD).
Michelle Moorman and Bobby Richards were presented with fan appreciation
awards and track worker Willie Shultz was presented with a dedication
award for his years of service at the speedway.
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