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LATEMODELRACER >> NORTH REGION >> Fastrak Northeast Late Models showcased at Hard Rock Cafe
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Message started by LMR on 02/02/12 at 5:54pm

Title: Fastrak Northeast Late Models showcased at Hard Rock Cafe
Post by LMR on 02/02/12 at 5:54pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2012

FASTRAK NORTHEAST ROCKS AS TOP LATE MODEL RACERS SHOWCASED ON HARD ROCK CAFÉ STAGE AT 2011 AWARDS BANQUET

By Mike Leone
(Pittsburgh, PA)…The Hard Rock Café Pittsburgh played host to the 2011
FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Awards Banquet & Dinner on Sunday
evening. The Hard Rock stage was again the backdrop for this
memorable night at Station Square, which saw the majority of the
record $50,000+ in cash and contingencies distributed by the Northeast
alone for the 2011 season. It was the second straight stand-alone
banquet held for the Series after three years of being held in
conjunction with the Mercer Raceway Park banquet. Longtime Sharon
Speedway announcer Jim Pollock emceed the affair.

“What a wonderful night it was to celebrate everyone’s
accomplishments,” stated sixth year Northeast Co-Director Vicki Emig.
“We have to thank our race teams, weekly FASTRAK-sanctioned speedway
promoters, Series officials, and sponsors for supporting this event
for the second straight year so it’s possible that we can hold a
banquet on our own. We also have to thank Hard Rock Café Sales and
Marketing manager Roy Martin-Smith, who again worked with us to ensure
a perfect night and make sure everything went flawless.”

A record 24 Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Northeast Touring events were
scheduled with 19 of those being completed. A record 189 different
drivers competed in those 19 events with a record car count average of
35 per event! Eleven different drivers were victorious with five of
them capturing their first career Touring Series wins!

For the third time in the past four seasons, Max Blair took the
championship honors. The 21-year-old Centerville, Pa. driver started
the year off on fire winning three of the first seven events, but his
only other win was the prestigious Gary Knollinger Memorial on June 23
at Sharon Speedway that earned him $2,750.

Blair also picked up an extra $1,000 for winning the inaugural Bully
Dog “Cross the Borders” Speedweek title in his Specialty
Products/Westcoat Excavating/Moody & Sons/Thompson Run Tire/Race
1/Genesis Shocks-sponsored #111. Besides his championship jacket,
plaque, point fund monies, and huge check, Blair also received a
special eagle trophy recognizing him for three National Weekly Series
and three Northeast Touring Series Championships in the past four
seasons!

For the second straight year, Mike Pegher, Jr. of Wexford, Pa. was
runner-up behind Blair. Pegher led the way with a Series high five
wins in addition to his Night 1 of the Grand Nationals victory at
Roaring Knob. Pegher’s biggest victory in Northeast Touring
competition was the Series’ biggest race- the $3,000 to-win event part
of the Black Diamond Weekend at Tyler County Speedway. Those
victories moved him ahead of Blair for the all-time Series win mark at
13 to 12.

Josh Holtgraver had a great season moving from fifth to third in
points in his second year on the Tour. The Pittsburgh, Pa. driver won
two features including the $1,500 “Bill Emig Memorial” Memorial Day
Weekend event at Sharon for the second straight year and his first
career win at McKean County Raceway in front of a packed crowd for
their fair event.

Dan Angelicchio was another racer having his best season to finish
fourth in points with just two finishes outside the top 10 all season
long! The Greensburg, Pa. driver entered 2011 without ever winning a
Touring Series feature, but changed that in a big way taking wins at
Tyler County and Pittsburgh in addition to a $3,000 Southeast Touring
Series win at Thunder Mountain Speedway in southern West Virginia.

In his second season of FASTRAK racing, Steve Dixon moved halfway up
to the point ladder from 10th to fifth. The Smethport, Pa. hard
charger won a thriller during Speedweek for his first career win at
Raceway 7 holding off track star Max Blair. Dixon had 6 top 5s and 11
top 10s.

Despite missing two events during Speedweek after a rough beginning,
Joe Martin rebounded with 6 straight top 10 finishes including a
victory at Dog Hollow Speedway for the second straight year. The
Mayport, Pa. driver has moved up from 12th in points in 2009 to
seventh in 2010 and up one more this past season.

Butch Lambert has been one of the top supporters of the Northeast
Touring Series over the last four seasons. This past season wasn’t
exactly what the Mars, Pa. had in store after finishing third one year
ago, but the nonetheless garnered 7 top 10s including a season best
runner-up at the Gary Knollinger Memorial at Sharon to finish seventh
in points. Lambert did end the season on a positive note winning the
$1,000 non-sanctioned “Steel City Stampede” at Lernerville Speedway.
That event will now be the finale on the 2012 Touring slate with
$2,000 up for grabs!

Teenager Damian Bidwell’s first season Touring was an impressive one
finishing eighth. The Eldred, Pa. driver really improved as the
season progressed finishing with 5 top 7s in the final 9 events
including a career best runner-up at Sharon on September 17.

John Volpe’s first full season in the Scott Bidwell #B1D resulted in a
ninth in points. The Lakewood, NY driver’s best performance of the
season came during a three-week stretch in the summer where he had a
third at Expo, second at Eriez, and a sixth at Sharon.

Completing the top 10 was Eriez Speedway Champion Kyle Zimmerman, who
jumped up three positions in points from a year ago to finish 10th.
The Albion, Pa. 2010 Mercer Raceway Park Champion saved the best for
last with 3 top 8 finishes in the final 5 races.

Eleventh through 15th in points were George Kowatic (one win), Lauren
Longbrake, Jamie Brown, Josh Double, and Chad Wright. It was all five
of those racers’ first appearance in the top 15 in Touring points.
Other drivers winning events outside of the top 15 in points included
Robbie Blair, Wayne Robertson, Ryan Montgomery, and Russell King.

Shane Weaver captured the second “Wheelman” Bonus Event Challenge
Series Championship. The Marion Center, Pa. teen had three
runner-ups, a fifth, and a sixth to garner the most points in
non-qualifier action. There have been 17 of these events run since it
debuted in the middle of 2010 with an amazing 15 different winners!

One of the most exciting concepts created by FASTRAK Northeast was the
“Futures Cup” program. Because of the great influx of young racing
talent, this program kicked off in 2011 with 18 participating drivers.
Ryan Montgomery came on strong at the end to win the $1,000
championship. The 14-year-old Fairmont, WV driver won a pair of
Weekly Series races at Roaring Knob in addition to his Sharon Touring
Series win and capped it off with the final “Trifecta” event win for
the “Futures Cup” racers at Roaring Knob on October 7. Montgomery
also received a championship jacket, plaque, cup, and huge check.

Finishing second through tenth in the “Futures Cup” points and sharing
in over $2,000 were Damian Bidwell, Shane Weaver, Chad Wright, Bobby
Rohrer, Nico Dabecco, Matt Latta, Russell Baird, Jr., and Alessa
Young. Other $200 “Futures Cup” Trifecta winners included Tackett at
Sharon and Longbrake at Pittsburgh.

Dan Angelicchio celebrated his first career FASTRAK Championship
picking up the second Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series title.
Angelicchio’s first career Touring win at Tyler County propelled him
to the title. Unfortunately only two events were completed, which
were co-sanctioned with the Northeast at Tyler County, while six
others were either rained out or cancelled.

Positions second through 10 in the MOV were recognized. Joe Martin
and Mike Pegher tied for second as Shawn Jett, John Watson, Kyle
Thomas, Shane Hitt, Butch Lambert, Joel Prosser, and Lauren Longbrake
completed the top 10. Watson of Middlebourne, West Virginia was the
only racer that specifically made the trip up from West Virginia.

Keeping with a tradition that was started many years ago at Mercer
Raceway Park, FASTRAK Northeast continued the tradition of honoring
special achievements with memorial awards. The most prestigious award
given out on Sunday night was a new award called the Gary Knollinger
Memorial “Golden Award”.

Gary unfortunately succumbed to injuries suffered in a highway
accident a little more than one year ago. Gary was a fierce
competitor and great friend that quickly became a huge part of the
FASTRAK family. Gary’s parents Gary, Sr. and Bev along with longtime
crew chief John Seyler were on hand to present the award to the
inaugural recipient, Joe Martin.

Martin was recognized for his wonderful character of professionalism
and sportsmanship as he carries himself in a very similar fashion as
Gary did. Martin is a fierce competitor, finances his operation
pretty much on his own, has the strong support of his family, but more
importantly, and to his credit, no matter what situation has presented
itself to him on the racetrack, he has always handled himself with
class and integrity.

Martin’s sister Tori was presented with the “Majestic Award”. The
Punxsutawney high school student carried out the “Racing for the Cure”
American Cancer Society Benefit Event at Sharon Speedway on May 28 as
part of her senior project. Full of energy and determination from the
start, Tori organized and produced a fundraiser that brought in over
$9,000 for the American Cancer Society! Tori was pleased to also
announce that she will continue the event once again this year at
Sharon as part of the “Bill Emig Memorial Wild Card Weekend” on May
26-27.

Andy Kennedy captured the “Crew Chief of the Year Award”. The
25-year-old Mars, Pa. resident comes from a long line of racers in his
family including his father Chuck, brother Clayton, uncle Bob, and
cousin Robyn. Kennedy though chose a different path turning the
wrenches and preparing the famous #1 Cochran cars of Lynn Geisler and
his driver Mike Pegher. Kennedy accepted the award, one which he
never expected and also acknowledged that it wouldn’t have been
possible without fellow crew member Mike Brunner, who deserved the
award just as much as he did.

The 2011 season was nothing short of spectacular for Pegher, who won
13 races, finished second in the Northeast Touring and National Weekly
Series Championship points, and saved the best for last bringing the
$30,000 Grand National crown back to the Northeast. The team made a
big decision to skip the final $2,000 to-win Northeast Touring Series
event at Roaring Knob despite having a mathematical chance at the
crown and instead focused on the Grand Nationals where they completely
rebuilt their what would be championship car.

Legendary racer and car owner Lynn Geisler asked for a few moments at
the end to speak as he expressed his joy to see the support by the
racers and teams and how refreshing and encouraging it is to see the
youth involvement in the Series, which will be the future of racing.
It should be noted 13 of the top 15 Touring teams were on hand Sunday
evening.

Last year, a new award was created to recognize a youngster that’s
part of the FASTRAK Family though not on the speedway. In 2010,
Austin Graul received the inaugural award due to his unwavering
support of FASTRAK and his drivers Dan Angelicchio, Troy Shields, and
Bryan Force. This year, young Andrew Granda received the “Super Kid”
distinction as you can’t miss the little guy’s presence in the Rob and
Max Blair pit area, but also around the likes of Damian Bidwell, Chad
Wright, and Josh Holtgraver.

Wedge Motorsports owner Dave Willoughby provided $25 gift certificates
presented to every award winning racer, which totaled $700.
Willoughby also represented Sharon Speedway, while Dog Hollow Speedway
owner Jim Michny and his son were also able to make the affair. All
of the sanctioned speedways were thanked for making it possible for
Northeast racers to take home some $150,000 in cash alone in FASTRAK’s
various point funds.

Series sponsors Sweeney Chevrolet, Buick GMC, Utsinger’s Towing, and
the Original Pizza Logs were presented with special plaques thanking
them for their support in 2011.

Several Series officials were on hand and recognized including Brad
and Karen Hibbard, Todd and Tyler Beichner, Matt Wertz, and Red Feitt.
Rich Berry, Jimmy Dutko, Mike Reninger, and Greg Wheeling, who were
unable to attend, were also thanked for their help.

Other special guests on hand included Bob Johnson (Deputy Director of
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett’s Southwest Regional Office), Carol
Gamble (Butler Eagle Motorsports writer), and Jim Steigerwald (Racers
for Tots).

Photos from throughout the 2011 season from various photographers
rotated from 4:30 p.m. until 7 on Hard Rock’s high definition
television screens. A power point production was shown during the
presentation throughout the café, which was followed up by a special
DVD created by Sharon Speedway photographer John Hinely. Amy Booley
did a great job capturing the memories of the night. Her photos will
be available online this week.

The 2011 season was previewed by Pollock and the record-setting
schedule was released to attendees. The entire schedule and season
preview press release will be released this week.

Hard Rock Café provided a knockout menu for attendees with mini
burgers, pulled pork, and BBQ chicken sandwich appetizers along with
loaded potato skins, wings, and a veggie and cheese try from 5-6 p.m.
followed up by the dinner buffet of Hickory smoked brisket, white
cheddar smashed potatoes, green beans and rolls, and finished up with
various desserts.

FINAL 2011 Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC FASTRAK Northeast Late Model
Touring Series Top 15 in Points: 1. MAX BLAIR 571 2. Mike Pegher, Jr.
536 3. Josh Holtgraver 504 4. Dan Angelicchio 503 5. Steve Dixon
453 6. Joe Martin 439 7. Butch Lambert 430 8. Damian Bidwell 353
9. John Volpe 266 10. Kyle Zimmerman 256 11. George Kowatic 240 12.
Lauren Longbrake 237 13. Jamie Brown 213 14. Josh Double 206 15.
Chad Wright 205.

FINAL 2011 FASTRAK Northeast “Futures Cup” Top 10 in Points: 1. RYAN
MONTGOMERY 764 2. Damian Bidwell 719 3. Shane Weaver 712 4. Chad
Wright 710 5. Bobby Rohrer, Jr. 710 6. Nico Dabecco 652 7. Newt
Tackett 650 8. Matt Latta 637 9. Russell Baird, Jr. 588 10. Alessa
Young 568.

FINAL 2011 FASTRAK Mid-Ohio Valley Late Model Touring Series Top 10 in
Points: 1. DAN ANGELICCHIO 67 2. Joe Martin & Mike Pegher, Jr. 63 4.
Shawn Jett 47 5. John Watson 31 6. Kyle Thomas 29 7. Shane Hitt 27
8. Butch Lambert 25 9. Joel Prosser 23 10. Lauren Longbrake 20.

FINAL 2011 FASTRAK Northeast “Wheelman” Bonus Event Challenge Series
Top 4 in Points: 1. SHANE WEAVER 173 2. Brian Haggerty 132 3. Lauren
Longbrake 127 4. Jamie Brown 126.

The Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh is located at 230 W. Station Square
Drive between the Grand Concourse Restaurant and the Sheraton Station
Square Hotel. A one-story building with an industrial ceiling and
exposed-brick stage, the new HRC has indoor seating for 200 people
with additional seating on their outdoor patio to accommodate 70
guests. For more information, check out
www.hardrockcafe.com/pittsburgh.

2012 FASTRAK Northeast marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet
Buick GMC Pace Performance, Hoosier Tires, Utsinger’s Towing, Original
Pizza Logs, Beyea Custom Headers, Genesis Shocks, Hyperco, and H&H
Racing Equipment.

You can reach co-directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone at the FASTRAK
Northeast office at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com
and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. The office is
open daily late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. For more information,
check out the FASTRAK Northeast website at www.fastraknortheast.com.
Become our fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fastraknortheast.