NYSSCA HONORS ACHIEVEMENT DESPITE BLIZZARD

February 6, 2005 - The blizzard of 2005 didn’t stop almost 500 people from attending the New York State Stock Car Association’s annual awards banquet on Saturday night at the Polish Community Center in Albany. Some were unable to attend due to the inclement weather, but all things considered, the turnout was great. The first order of business was the induction of four new members to the NYSSCA Hall of Fame. Jim King, announcer extraordinaire, was scheduled to induct Donnie Wetmore, but was stuck in Rutland, VT due to the storm and through the marvels of modern technology, was able to honor Wetmore via cell phone. Hall of Fame members Nick Ronca and Bill Wimble inducted Brian Ross and the late Sterling “Buck” Holliday respectively. NYSSCA Board Member Tom Remingon did the honors of welcoming ace photographer John Grady to the prestigious group. After dinner, the track awards were presented for achievement at our six member tracks and our associate track, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park. Following the track achievement awards was the Special Award segment. One of the requirements to be considered for these special awards is that you must be a member of NYSSCA. Jack Cottrell was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and said that although he had considered retiring, he would be back for at least one more year. Keith Barlow was awarded Car Owner of the Year in acknowledgement of the season he and the DeFiglio Race Team had at Lebanon Valley Speedway and their selfless act of donating all of their winnings to The American Heart Association. Pete Chuckta, of PMC Chassis was presented the Dedication to Racing in Memory of Harry Peek award. Jim King was presented the Lifetime Contribution to Racing in Memory of Ken Shoemaker award. King has a rich history in racing, dating back to when his father owned the car that Shoemaker drove. Stewart Friesen was named Overall Outstanding Performer, but was unable to attend as he was racing in Atlantic City. Keegan also applauded the generosity of our members in their communities. Specifically, he mentioned the Bev Caputo Memorial Dash held at Fonda Speedway and sponsored by Don Champion; The John “Jack” Lockhart Memorial Sportsman Dash; the support of the American Heart Association by the DeFiglio Race Team; and the Eye Rock 500 held at Fonda Speedway and promoted by WPYX 106. In this vein, President Keegan presented the President’s Award to Jim Potts. Potts was injured at the McCready Driving School in the spring. His membership had just expired, but since he had always joined as soon as he hit the track for competition, the NYSSCA Board met and decided to send him a donation of $300 on behalf of the membership. Potts sent back the money and asked the association to donate it to someone who really needed it; that his bills were being covered by insurance and although he appreciated the thought, he would like to see the money help someone else. He also sent a donation to be added with it and then another one recently. Through his generosity, the Association has been able to do such things as sponsor walkers in benefit walks and donate funds to a trust for the children for a racer who was killed. President Keegan invited all to attend the unveiling of the new NYSSCA Hall of Fame exhibit at the Saratoga Automobile Museum on Saturday, January 29th. Many Hall of Fame members and their families have already committed to attend the event as the organization finally finds a home to display the names and legacies of the great pioneers and achievements of the sport. Afton Speedway Driver of the Year 358 Modified Mitch Gibbs Sportsman Tim French Pro Stock Denny Smith Tim French Pure Stock Paul Harrington 4 Cylinder Robert Doolittle Outstanding Performance 358 Modified Jeff Rudalavage Sportsman Steve Anderson 4 Cylinder Ken Hotaling Rookie of the Year 358 Modified Jamie Christian Sportsman Skip Pickwick Pro Stock Dustin Harris 4 Cylinder Mike Stringer Albany Saratoga Speedway Driver of the Year Modified Brett Hearn Sportsman Tim Clemons Pro Street Butchie Irwin Limited Chris Busta 6 Cyl. Mini Stock Rick Mrzyglod 4 Cyl. Mini Stock Kevin Connors Outstanding Performance Modified Jack & Ronnie Johnson Sportsman Derrick McGrew Pro Street Rob Langevin Limited Kevin VanChance 6 Cyl. Mini Stock Elmer Montville 4 Cyl. Mini Stock Jamie McCarthy Rookie of the Year Modified Paul Cirincione Sportsman Mike Tholin Pro Street Rob Muscanell Limited Mike Pfau Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Driver of the Year Slingshot Pep Corradi Outstanding Performance Slingshot Dan Santabarbara Street Stock Duke McSpirit Foreign Cruiser David Klob 4 Cylinder Roger Newkirk 6 Cylinder Wayne Lawyer Devil’s Bowl Speedway Driver of the Year Modified Ray Hoard Pro Street Rob Langevin Limited Scott Fowler 6 Cyl. Mini Stock Elmer Montville 4 Cyl. Mini Stock Brittany Ladd Outstanding Performance Modified Tim LaDuc Pro Street Lori Cary Limited Jamie Buzzell 6 Cyl. Mini Stock Amanda Clemens 4 Cyl. Mini Stock John Baldwin Rookie of the Year Modified Ken Anatriello Pro Street Scott Duell Limited Jared McMahon Fonda Speedway Driver of the Year Modified Dave Lape 358 Modified Matt DeLorenzo Sportsman John McAuliffe Pro Stock Kenny Gates IMCA Dan Ballard Street Stock John Babcoc Outstanding Performance Modified Jeff Trombley 358 Modified Bob Vedder Sportsman David Towns Pro Stock Nick Stone IMCA Steve Bidwell Street Stock Bob VanAernam Rookie of the Year Modified Billy Osta 358 Modified Josh Pieniazek Sportsman Keith Flach Pro Stock Chip Smith Street Stock D. T. Pickard Lebanon Valley Speedway Driver of the Year Modified Brett Hearn 358 Modified Brett Hearn Sportsman KC Goewey Bobby Knipe Pro Stock Rob Yetman Rookie Pro Stock Larry Megan Pure Stock Pete DeFiglio Outstanding Performance Modified Andy Bachetti 358 Modified Ken Tremont, Jr. Sportsman Frank Harper Pro Stock Buddy Hencke Rookie Pro Stock Ron Jacobsen Pure Stock Pete Wiegand Newcomer of the Year Modified Wayne Jelley 358 Modified Roy Bridge Sportsman Kory Sandstedt Pro Stock Kevin Arnold Rookie Pro Stock Rick Dempsey Pure Stock Al Relyea Utica Rome Speedway Driver of the Year Modified Stewart Friesen Sportsman Jessica Zemken Pro Stock Roy Fifield Pure Stock Russ Marsden 4 Cylinder Chuck Powelczyk IMCA George Catanzano Outstanding Performance Modified Dave Camara Sportsman Mike Button Pro Stock Bret Belden Pure Stock Chris Cunningham 4 Cylinder Jack Hill & Jim Money IMCA Aaron Jacobs Rookie of the Year Modified Jamie Christian Sportsman Kenny Stafford Pro Stock Ryan Lund