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LATEMODELRACER >> NORTH REGION >> Capacity crowd cheers on champions at Eldora Speedway banquet
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Message started by LMR on 01/25/11 at 2:12am

Title: Capacity crowd cheers on champions at Eldora Speedway banquet
Post by LMR on 01/25/11 at 2:12am

FOR IMMEDIARE RELEASE
January 24, 2011

CAPACITY CROWD CHEERS ON CHAMPIONS

ROSSBURG, OH (January 22) – A night of celebration and congratulatory messages culminated with the crowning of Eldora Speedway and Sunoco American Late Model Series (ALMS) champions Saturday evening in front of a packed house. Accepting top honors from Eldora owner and two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart were Matt Miller (Late Models), Jon Henry (Modifieds) and Mike Dirksen (Stock Cars), while Sam Driggers (ALMS director) rewarded his champion, Brian Ruhlman. In addition to their trophies and point fund checks, the champions each received a personalized driving suit from Simpson Race Products, a helmet paint design from Colors by Barr and championship jacket from Homestretch Sportswear.

Stewart reaped praise among the Eldora fraternity for their dedication and loyalty to the southwestern Ohio speed plant, while reminding them of his commitment to the facility with continuation of the famed ‘Eldora experience’.

For Dirksen, it was his fourth Stock Car title, while Henry was accepting his first-ever Eldora Modified championship. Miller returned to the champion’s stage after being there once before, in 2008.

As has become tradition at the Eldora festivity, several specialty awards were distributed.

Accepting rookie of the year honors were Jeff Babcock (Late Model), Scott Williams (Modified) and Casey Barr (Stock Car), while Anthony Goode (Stock Car), Nick Katterhenry (Modifieds) and Curtis Roberts (Late Model) were on hand to receive the Most Improved Driver accolades.

Hard Luck Award recognition was bestowed upon Jon Henry (Late Model), Tim Richardson (Modified) and Earnie Woodard (Stock Car) while the other end of the spectrum found Matt Miller (Late Model), Brent Hole (Modified) and Andy King (Stock Car) accepting the Best Appearing Car hardware.

Eldora Speedway’s Fan of the Year was announced as Mike Kessen, while Starr Schmiteyer was named the Woman of the Year. Taking home Mechanic of the Year was Charlie Dunbar, with Terry Shira revealed as the Car Owner of the Year. Jacob Hawkins was rewarded with ‘directional signage’ as the evening’s light-hearted award.

Concluding the fast-paced program was the naming of the coveted Sportsman of the Year trophy. It was announced that moving forward, the award would be renamed the Chick Hale Sportsman of the Year, in memory of the Eldora icon, who lost his life one week prior to the awards ceremony. Picking up this year’s award was Bill Dues.