February 6, 2005

NYSSCA HONORS ACHIEVEMENT DESPITE BLIZZARD

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


© 2005  NYSSCA