January 25, 2010 (West Salem, WI) – The 2009 NASCAR Whelen All-American Season officially concluded for LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway Friday night at the annual Champions’ Banquet. Over 100 awards were presented at the sold-out event.
Located at the Stoney Creek Inn Conference Center in Onalaska, the annual event recognizes the achievements of the drivers, race teams, and persons involved with racing at LaCrosse Speedway, as well as crowning the 2009 divisional champions.
Highlighting the banquet was the crowning of the track champions, including the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model Champ J. Herbst, North Country Contractors Sportsmen Champion Jes Tenner, United Auto Supply Thunderstox Champion Jason Stark, Hornet Champion Steve Bornitz, and Kyle Peters as the Tuners and Skidders champion. All of these drivers earned their first track championship, with the exception of Jes Tenner, who has earned both a Hornet and Thunderstox championship in previous years.
The evening began by recognizing the tenth through fourth in the Thunderstox, Sportsmen and Late Models. A 2009 season review video produced by KQEG TV-23 entertained the attendees during dinner, which was provided by C&C Catering of Sparta.
A standing ovation was given to Bangor’s Kevin Nuttleman, who announced that he was going to “hang up the helmet,” after a driving career of 30 years. Nuttleman did, however, remind everyone that his car number is 4.
The evening’s festivities concluded with the annual Sportsman of the Year Award. The Sportsman of the Year award recognizes an individual that is dedicated to the sport of short track racing, and is a positive role model in the racing community, the local community, as well as at the LaCrosse Speedway. That award was presented to Gary Gonczy, the Marketing Director for Kwik Trip. Gonczy has had a very interactive role as sponsor of the Late Model division and its drivers. In addition, Gonczy is proudly dedicated to putting on events for Special Olympics and its athletes. “I can’t thank you all enough,” commented Gonzcy in receiving his award. “I love being involved in motorsports, and all of you are like a family to me, just as the special olympics athletes are. Thank you for all your support, and good luck to everyone during the 2010 season,” concluded Gonczy.
The 2010 NASCAR Weekly Racing Season is tentatively set to begin on Saturday, April 24th, featuring the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models, North Country Contractors Sportsmen, United Auto Supply Thunderstox and a Novelty Race. The season will conclude with the 41st Annual Oktoberfest Race Weekend, October 8-11. For more information about the LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, please call 608-786-1525, email lacrossespeedway@yahoo.com, or visit www.lacrossespeedway.com.
2009 LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway Award Recipients:
Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Model Champion: J. Herbst, North Country Contractors Sportsmen Champion: Jes Tenner, United Auto Supply Thunderstox Champion: Jason Stark, Hornet Champion: Steve Bornitz, Tuners and Skidders Champion: Kyle Swenson, Budweiser Dash Champions: J. Herbst (Late Model), Jimmy Gilster (Sportsmen), Charles Vian (Thunderstox); Novelty Event Champion: Adam Moore, Sportsman of the Year: Gary Gonczy;
Also Recognized: Top Ten Drivers in Late Model, Sportsmen, and Thunderstox Point Standings, Top Five Drivers in Hornets and Skidders;
Rookies of the Year: Thunderstox – Chris Swenson, Sportsmen – Steve Bachman, Late Model – Cole Howland;
Best Appearing Car Award (Fan Vote): Hornet – Pete Muenkel, Thunderstox – Wayne Smith, Sportsmen – Jamie Dummer, Late Model – Matthew Henderson;
Best Appearing Car Award (Race Teams Vote): Hornet – Ron Amann, Thunderstox – Harley Jankowski, Sportsmen – Jerry Aylsworth, Late Model – Tom Thill;
Tough Man Award: Thunderstox – Adam Moore, Sportsmen – Rick Schermerhorn, Late Model – Todd Korish;
Runner-Up Award: Steve Owen – Thunderstox, Branden Berg – Sportsmen, Late Model – Mike Carlson;
NASCAR Craftsman Mechanic of the Year – Al Locy;
Outstanding Performance Award: Thunderstox – Jason Stark, Sportsmen – Jes Tenner, Late Model – Shawn Pfaff;
Extra Lap Award: Thunderstox – Brad Warthan, Sportsmen – Jerrod Loging, Late Model – Bill Niles;
Showmanship Award: Thunderstox -Adam Moore, Sportsmen – Nick Clements, Late Model – J. Herbst;
Outback Steakhouse Halfway Champion – Brad Powell; Jeff Jepson Crew Chief of the Year: John Henderson;
Competition Achievement awards: Nathan White, Jason Dummer, John Piotrowski, Ed Guenther, Jeff Baker;
Not Whether you win or lose Award: Thunderstox – Jason Bolster, Sportsmen – Jonathan Eckelberg, Late Model -Albert Locy;
Most Improved Driver: Thunderstox – Nathan White, Sportsmen – Keaton Hilby, Late Model – Matthew Henderson;
Best Appearing Race Team: Thunderstox – Josh Inglett, Sportsmen – Randy Humfeld, Late Model – Locy Racing;
Special Recognition Award: DMT Motorsports, Thor Anderson;
Good Luck Award: Thunderstox – Nathan White, Sportsmen – Dan Gilster, Late Model – Shawn Pfaff;
Most Popular Driver Award (Voted by the Fans): Hornet – Nate Towner, Thunderstox – Danielle Neary, Sportsmen – Jes Tenner, Late Model – Emily Sue Steck;
Sharing Award: Thunderstox – Josh Inglett, Sportsmen – Gilster Racing, Late Model -Todd Korish