NEW YORK STATE STOCK CAR ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES the 2006 RACING SEASON

ALBANY, NY (January 20, 2007) – by Don & JoAnn Davies The New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) celebrated the 2006 season in style Saturday night, honoring drivers, owners and fans at the Holiday Inn Turf on Wolf Road, Colonie, NY. The 38th annual awards banquet gathered over 550 guests with local announcers John Stanley and Dan Martin once again serving as Masters of Ceremony. The Hall of Fame Induction honored four illustrious members of the stock car community of New York including drivers Chuck Akulis, Jim Langenback, Merv Treicher, and flagger John Tallini. A ceremony at the Saratoga Auto Museum (Saratoga Springs, NY) had taken place earlier in the day where the honorees were added to the permanent Hall of Fame display in the Racing in New York gallery. Presenting Merv Treichler accomplishments to the assembly was well known writer/publisher and former driver Lew Boyd. Boyd remarked that “the only miscue in Treichler’s career is that he was born too early. If he were running today he would be snapped up by a NASCAR scout.” Treichler “had natural ability” stated Boyd and experience and hard work led him to his many accomplishments. Treichler’s racing career started with his winning over half the races he entered in his first year of competition. In one racing season Treichler won the road races at Daytona and Watkins Glen in his unique Monza, the Syracuse Fair race and finished second at Trenton Speedway. He also had back-to-back wins in 1981 and ’82 at the NYS Fairgrounds Super DIRT Week modified event. Boyd quoted writer Al Robinson who once stated, “..Any great athlete plays his game in slow motion,” and Boyd went on to remember how Treichler always looked so at ease behind the wheel. “The ultimate irony,” stated Boyd, “is that Merv, after all these years, is taking his family on a five-week vacation so he could not be here tonight...” to be honored by the organization “…and to know what a star he is in New York state racing.” In a letter from Treichler addressed to the organization, Treichler stated his appreciation for the honor of becoming a Hall of Fame member and stated, “…I would have loved to spend some time with old race car buddies and good friends to talk about the good times we had.” Former NYSSCA President John Keegan gave the presentation to induct Chuck Akulis into the Hall of Fame mentioning that Akulis’ career began in 1960 at Penn Can Speedway where he wrecked in his first outing. The famous Pink Panther #3 was born in 1968 and became his signature throughout the northeast. It was his never matched record of nine consecutive seasons as high point man at Five Mile Point Speedway (1977 to 1985) that earned Akulis the title of “King of the Point.” At his retirement in 2000 Akulis had earned 300 career wins and 28 track championships. “And even at the end of his career, people were still cheering for him despite all his wins,” stated Keegan. In accepting his plaque and HoF jacket Akulis stated “I always did it for fun…I never considered myself a professional.” Journalist and HoF Committee Chairman Ron Hedger recounted the colorful career of well known flagger John Tellini. In talking about Tellini’s passion for racing, Hedger was quick to note that when Tellini was on the flag stand there usually no rough driving on the track. Tellini began his career in the 1950’s in Hudson, NH, moving to Utica Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY in 1961. The next 20 years of his career were spent at Utica-Rome as well as 10 years at Albany-Saratoga (NY), Plattsburgh (NY), Riverside Park (MA), and Rolling Wheels (NY), Tellini also served as a flagger for NASCAR events at Fonda Speedway (NY), Utica-Rome, Riverside Park, St. Eustauche, Quebec, Monroe County Fairgrounds (Rochester, NY), Wasilla (Alaska) and Daytona, earning the nickname, “the NASCAR starter.” When asked by Hedger “what was it like (to flag the New Yorker 400 at Utica-Rome)?” Tellini replied, “It was horrible.” One only needs to be reminded that Tellini counted laps using a clicker, had no assistant and no radios. In recognizing those who had great impact on his flagging career Tellini expressed his appreciation to Joe Lesik who gave him his first chance, track owner Dick Waterman, and his wife and family. Well known journalist Rick Harding relived the career of inductee Jim Langenback for the crowd remarking that Langenback’s career began in 1962, making the 2006 season his 45th as a driver. With 150 career wins, spanning five decades, Langenback holds track champion titles at Lebanon Valley for 1995, 1999, and 2001, and at Accord Speedway (NY) for 2003. He was the first pro stock driver to win at the NYS Fairgrounds in 1997. In the past twelve seasons at Lebanon Valley he has garnered a win in eleven of the twelve years. He remains in the top ten in DIRT Pro Stock wins. Unique, especially in today’s racing arena, is that Langenback has always built his own cars. Perhaps that is one of the keys to his success and longevity as a driver. Langenback became the first HoF member from the pro-stock ranks. In receiving his award, Langenback was overwhelmed and spoke briefly on how he had to learn ‘the hard way’ and without a mentor. Special awards were also on the agenda for the night, beginning with the President’s Award. Current President Brian Bedell spoke about the award’s criteria requiring the recipient to have accomplished a great feat in order to be given this award and the fact that this is an award not given every year. This year, the President’s Award was presented to Kim LaVoy, the first female open wheel winner in the 54 year history of Lebanon Valley Speedway. Ron Szczerba, columnist for the Schenectady (NY) Gazette and writer of weekly press releases for Albany-Saratoga and Fonda, was recognized for his work with the 2007 Journalism Award. The Dedication to Racing in Memory of Harry Peek award for 2007 was presented to popular Fonda and Albany-Saratoga driver Jeff Trombley. Trombley’s career in racing began as a wrench on the Ken Shoemaker modified progressing to 25 wins as a mini modified driver for George and Bruce Schell. In 1984 Trombley began his own modified driving career and is a two time champ at Fonda Speedway in 2001 and 2002 with 32 feature wins. That record puts him 9th on the overall list for wins, tied with Steve Danish. The award was presented by Harry Peek’s son David. The Lifetime Contribution to Racing in Memory of Ken Shoemaker selection of Eddie Marshall was well received by the audience. Ernie Marshall (father) presented the award in place of Ken Shoemaker’s son Keith, who was unable to attend. Marshall’s career began in the 320 class at Lebanon Valley in 1980 and in 1981 he recorded his first victory. In 1982 he was co-champion in the class and moved the next year to the modified division. Again, his first win in the class came in his second year of competition and he has amassed 18 career victories at Lebanon Valley. With 17 seasons in the top 10 in final points at Lebanon Valley, Marshall also won the NYS Fairgrounds Labor Day race in 1990. That win is unique in that Eddie and Ernie (1973) became the first father / son combination to win that event. Owner of the Year accolades went to Ted White, owner of the 358 modified cars driven by Billy VanPelt and Kurt Van Pelt The team competes weekly in the 358 class at Woodhull Speedway. Between the two brothers a total of 20 wins were registered this past year. In addition, the T3 All Star Tour and Woodhull Speedway championships were won. Unique to this team is that one brother drives a Ford power plant (12 wins) and the other a Chevy power plant (8 wins). Add to those accolades a tenth place finish at the Hagerstown Octoberfest in their first big block racing attempt and you have the formula for Owner of the Year. White and his team drove four and a half hours from Harrison Valley, PA to receive the award. Billy Van Pelt followed his car owner’s award by accepting from NYSSCA the Overall Outstanding Performance Award. Driving White’s #2 Van Pelt garnered 13 wins this season, won the T3 All Star Tour championship and had the fine finish in his first time out in a big block at Hagerstown. Along the way he picked up wins at Flat Rock, Clinton County, Woodhull, Mercer and Freedom Speedways, as well as his second championship at Woodhull Speedway. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to West Sand Lake, NY’s Don Ackner who has been racing for 34 years. Beginning at Lebanon Valley in 1973 Ackner won the sportsman championship in 1979. The following year he raced in the modified class and won the title in his rookie year, the only driver to ever do so at the high banked speedway. Ackner is also the 1979 sportsman and 1991 358 modified champion at Albany-Saratoga where he has 29 career wins and is seventh overall in track wins. Also racing weekly at Devil’s Bowl, Ackner has a total of four track championships with 47 career wins. That places him second on the all time win list for the speedway. Ackner continues to race weekly as well as operate his speed shop business at the tracks. The last award of the night, the Dedication to NYSSCA Award in Memory of Arty McCarty, was a very popular selection and very well earned. McCarty was a very involved member of NYSSCA and a Board of Directors member who passed away in May, 2006. His wife and daughters were on hand to present the award to a very deserving Gail Riley. Riley’s involvement with NYSSCA began in 1989 and includes serving five years as secretary, five years as vice president, and three years as president. She also has served as a member of the Board of Directors. In addition, she has served and chaired many committees including the banquet for 20 years and the annual golf outing for five years. A tearful Riley accepted her award and a bouquet of roses while receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. NYSSCA’s track base covers Afton, Albany Saratoga, Devils Bowl, Fonda, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Lebanon Valley and Utica Rome Speedways. Established in 1975 NYSSCA membership is open to anyone involved in the sport of racing. The organization’s most important function is to provide cash benefits for members injured during sanctioned racing events at recognized racing facilities. For more information visit their website at www.nyssca.com. Other NYSSCA track awards were presented to: AFTON SPEEDWAY: Driver of the Year to Chad Cook (modified), Brad Alger (sportsman), Denny Smith (pro stock) Kurt Decker (pure stock), Dave Smith (four cylinder); Outstanding Performance to J.R. Crouse (modified), Jeff Leslie (sportsman), Pat Nolan (pro stock), Dave Finch (four cylinder), Tom Harrington (pure stock); Rookie of the Year to Dan Clark (sportsman), Jeff Young (pro stock); Newcomer of the Year to James Cornell (modified), Eugene VanAlstyne (pure stock) ALBANY SARATOGA SPEEDWAY: Driver of the Year to Brett Hearn (modified), Tim Hartman (sportsman), Rob Langevin (pro stock), Pete DeFiglio (limited), Chris McCarthy (six cylinder), Ken Hollenbeck (four cylinder); Outstanding Performance to Matt DeLorenzo (modified), Chris Busta (sportsman), Lori Cary (pro stock), Mike Duclos (six cylinder), Brette Osgood (four cylinder), Kevin VanChance (limited); Rookie of the Year to Jim Cottrell (modified), Elmo Reckner (modified), Joe Santoro (sportsman), Greg McGill (pro stock), Pete DeFiglio (limited) DEVIL’S BOWL SPEEDWAY: Driver of the Year to Ken Tremont, Jr. (modified), Cale Kneer (pro stock), Adam Piper (limited), Ron Zagata (six cylinder), Bruce Taylor (four cylinder); Outstanding Performance to Todd Stone (modified), Carl Cram (pro stock), Bill Duprey (limited), Tim Anagnos (six cylinder), Brette Osgood (four cylinder); Rookie of the Year to Dustin Delaney (modified), Jeremie Younger (pro stock), Mike Clark (limited) FONDA SPEEDWAY: Driver of the Year to Bobby Varin (modified), Matt DeLorenzo (358 modified), John Scarborough (sportsman), Dan Ballard (IMCA modified), Kenny Martin, Jr. (pro stock), Dave Horning, Sr. (street stock); Outstanding Performance to Jack Johnson (modified), David Towns (sportsman), Nick Stone (pro stock), Jeremy Cramer (IMCA modified), Dan Hartgraves (street stock); Rookie of the Year to Danny Varin (sportsman), Phil Pearson (pro stock), Beau Ballard (IMCA modified), Steve Oleksak (street stock); Newcomer of the Year to Willy Decker (modified) GLEN RIDGE MOTORSPORTS PARK: Driver of the Year to Randy Hotaling (sportsman), Lenny Billings (budget sportsman), John Bradt (street stock), Bryan Davis (open cruiser), Bruce Liddle (four cylinder); Outstanding Performance to Mike Ketchum (sportsman), John Hynes (budget sportsman), Chuck McSpirit (street stock), Randy Davis (open cruiser), Martin Poole (four cylinder) LEBANON VALLEY SPEEDWAY: Driver of the Year to Andy Bachetti (modified), Andy Bachetti (358 modified), Jeff Watson (sportsman), Rob Yetman (pro stock), Brian Keough (limited pro stock), Pete Wiegand, Sr. (pure stock); Outstanding Performance to J.R. Heffner (modified), J.R. Heffner (358 modified), Chris Kokosa (sportsman), Paul LaRochelle (pro stock), George Miles (limited pro stock), Matt Humes (pure stock); Rookie of the Year to Lorne Browe (modified), Nick Hilt (limited pro stock), Chris Keller (pure stock); Newcomer of the Year to Ray Hoard (358 modified), Don Carlson (pro stock) UTICA ROME SPEEDWAY: Driver of the Year to Willy Decker (modified), Mike Button (sportsman), Jerry Holmes (pro stock), Jim Roberts (IMCA modified),Russ Marsden (pure stock), Outstanding Performance to Ted Lamb (modified), Jeremy Vunk (sportsman), Bret Belden (pro stock), Mike Smith (IMCA modified), Chris Cunningham (pure stock); Rookie of the Year to Chris Mackey (pro stock), Matt Ball (pure stock); Newcomer of the Year to A.J. Romano (modified)