RGeeProductions
02-04-2008, 06:33 PM
Kevin Flockhart, of Jackson, N.J., led five fellow 2007 Wall Township Speedway track champions to the Woodlake Country Club, Lakewood, head table in the annual awards banquet here Saturday night.
Flockhart shared the 380 Crestwood diners' acclaim and WTS prizes and points purse with RMP-Modified Affordable champ Danny Bohn, of Freehold; Sportsman titlist Kevin Eyres, of Colts Neck; Street Stock king Rich Mongeau, of Manchester; Value Towing Factory Stock maven Vernon McLaughlin III, of Whitehouse Station; and INEX Legends Cars headliner Mike Fulton, of Bridgewater.
Flockhart won five of 22 scheduled regular season features to win the 2007 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series WTS Modified Drivers Championship. The Crestwood Jewelers/Faust Contracting No. 12 Sisco-Chevrolet driver outlasted second-generation driver Steven Reed, also of Jackson. Flockhart had won the then-NASCAR Dodge Racing Series track crown in a similar down-to-the-wire fashion in 2004.
Flockhart received a NASCAR plaque and trophy plus a Hoozier Racing Tires jacket from WTS Operations Manager Jim Morton. The sixth-year modified driver was also joined by father Kevin, Sr., car builder-owner John Sisco and engine builder Frank Boardwick, among others.
Reed, who was among the top 10 WAAS modified drivers taking trophies, sported a NASCAR Home Track Champion shirt to Woodlake. He received the shirt and the NASCAR N.J. Champion crown at an earlier banquet at Las Vegas. NASCAR awarded Reed their title based on his best 20 races and was leading the WTS track standings at the time.
Fourth place finisher Chas Okerson, of Freehold, received the Rookie of the Year Award. Fifth place driver Jason Treat, of Jackson, attained the Most Improved Driver kudos. Tom Farrell III, of Shrewsbury, received the PDI "Wall Revue" Most Popular Driver title. Car owner Jeff Willett was names Sportsman of the Year.
The top 10 and Willett stood aside to honor the late defending champion colleague John Blewett III. The banquest started with a moment of silence for Blewett, of Howell. Father John Blewett, Jr. handed the inaugural John Blewett III Award to Office Administrator Sue Simpson for her work in enhancing the WTS experience.
"JBIII" was killed Aug. 16 during a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway. WTS officials retired Blewett's No. 76 during Turkey Derby XXXIV Nov. 24.
Morton meanwhile said that WTS's four managing partners are to announce whether and when there will be a 58th racing season at the Jersey Shore oval "in two weeks."
"There is no answer to the big question yet," said Morton. "They are in negotiations and things are going in a positive direction. They will not make an announcement untill all the 'I's are dotted and the 'T's are crossed."
Bohn won six of 17 RMP MAD mains. The third generation driver defended his inaugural divisional crown aboard the Reid Sod Farm No. 659 Bohn-modified Megill/RMP-Chevy. He, Danny and Michael are sons of Eddie and grandsons of 90-year-old Parker Bohn.
The only champ the crate motor division has known, however, may not be around to defend. D. Bohn said he and Eddie are planning to continue racing in North Carolina. He also received a NASCAR plaque, WTS trophy, a Hoosier jacket and a PDI Most Popular award.
The other top nine drivers were also hailed, including runner-up Robert Geibel, of Brick, the fourth placed Kevin Davidson, of Howell, and the eighth placed Marc Nappi, of Howell. Geibel took home class sportsman, Davidson top rookie and Nappi most improved awards.
Eyres went to the Woodlake rostrum three times to thank Boardwick, car owner Bob Rondeau, AVIS and Top Cuts Lawn Care among his crew, sponsors and family for his first track title in his 25-year driving career. The No. 21 Rondeau-Chevy driver won seven of 15 sportsman mains plus "Sportsman of the Year."
The other top 10 sportsmen drivers saluted included fourth placed Dave Green, Jr., of Farmingdale, and seventh ranked Steve Galgano, of Wingdale, N.Y. Green also earned most improved and former White Lake (N.Y.) Speedway runner Galgano top rookie prizes.
Mongeau was the third champ to received his NASCAR plaque, WTS trophy and Hoosier jacket. The No. 77 A-Plus Towing Pontiac pilot won three of 20features, including the Sept. 22 victory that gave him a class high 36features - breaking a tie with Craig "Pepe" Wallis.
Mongeau's crown is his sixth since 1985 and the last since 1997. The former modified and sportsman/pro stock racer is in a joint title tie with Okerson, Parker Bohn, Tony Siscone and the late Ray Gastelu. Only mod masters Gil Hearne and Dave Michel, who each hold eight crowns, hold more.
Runner-up Ron Frees, of Brick, left Woodlake with the sportsman award. Former WTS trucker Jerry Stanzione, of Keansburg garnered top rookie title. Ed McCarthy, of Brick, was named most improved. Eighth ranked Harry Schaefer, of Carteret, was voted as PDI's most popular street stocker.
Enduro veteran McLaughlin's focus on the Value Towing Factory Stock title also earned him five victories in 19 races. The Absolute Auto Salvage No. 06Chevy Monte Carlo man has added a street stock to his garage.
Eighth ranked John Lynch, of Aberdeen, got the most improved nod and ninth placed Scott Dugan the top rookie mantle. Driver/owner Tim Flanagan, of Hazlet, received the sportsman award and Jason Lane, of Brick, PDI's most popular.
Fulton's four years in Legends Cars paid off with three triumphs in 20 races. The Ideal Auto Body/Auto Creations N0. 90 600 Racing-Yamaha driver started racing go karts in the Somerset County 4H Club.
Fourth ranked Mark Tischler, of Bridgewater, garnered the top rookie prize. Malcolm Campbell, Jr., of Eatonton, got the PDI most popular and most improved plaudits. Father Malcolm Campbell, Sr. was named top sportsman.
Special service awards included those to 40-year track worker and Racing With Jesus Ministries track chaplain Bob Menschner, of Waretown, and young assistant flagger Kyle McGowan, of Fair Lawn. Race Director Jeff Tice was saluted for his part-year of service; Tice is moving to New Egypt Speedway this spring.
Walter Elliot
Flockhart shared the 380 Crestwood diners' acclaim and WTS prizes and points purse with RMP-Modified Affordable champ Danny Bohn, of Freehold; Sportsman titlist Kevin Eyres, of Colts Neck; Street Stock king Rich Mongeau, of Manchester; Value Towing Factory Stock maven Vernon McLaughlin III, of Whitehouse Station; and INEX Legends Cars headliner Mike Fulton, of Bridgewater.
Flockhart won five of 22 scheduled regular season features to win the 2007 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series WTS Modified Drivers Championship. The Crestwood Jewelers/Faust Contracting No. 12 Sisco-Chevrolet driver outlasted second-generation driver Steven Reed, also of Jackson. Flockhart had won the then-NASCAR Dodge Racing Series track crown in a similar down-to-the-wire fashion in 2004.
Flockhart received a NASCAR plaque and trophy plus a Hoozier Racing Tires jacket from WTS Operations Manager Jim Morton. The sixth-year modified driver was also joined by father Kevin, Sr., car builder-owner John Sisco and engine builder Frank Boardwick, among others.
Reed, who was among the top 10 WAAS modified drivers taking trophies, sported a NASCAR Home Track Champion shirt to Woodlake. He received the shirt and the NASCAR N.J. Champion crown at an earlier banquet at Las Vegas. NASCAR awarded Reed their title based on his best 20 races and was leading the WTS track standings at the time.
Fourth place finisher Chas Okerson, of Freehold, received the Rookie of the Year Award. Fifth place driver Jason Treat, of Jackson, attained the Most Improved Driver kudos. Tom Farrell III, of Shrewsbury, received the PDI "Wall Revue" Most Popular Driver title. Car owner Jeff Willett was names Sportsman of the Year.
The top 10 and Willett stood aside to honor the late defending champion colleague John Blewett III. The banquest started with a moment of silence for Blewett, of Howell. Father John Blewett, Jr. handed the inaugural John Blewett III Award to Office Administrator Sue Simpson for her work in enhancing the WTS experience.
"JBIII" was killed Aug. 16 during a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway. WTS officials retired Blewett's No. 76 during Turkey Derby XXXIV Nov. 24.
Morton meanwhile said that WTS's four managing partners are to announce whether and when there will be a 58th racing season at the Jersey Shore oval "in two weeks."
"There is no answer to the big question yet," said Morton. "They are in negotiations and things are going in a positive direction. They will not make an announcement untill all the 'I's are dotted and the 'T's are crossed."
Bohn won six of 17 RMP MAD mains. The third generation driver defended his inaugural divisional crown aboard the Reid Sod Farm No. 659 Bohn-modified Megill/RMP-Chevy. He, Danny and Michael are sons of Eddie and grandsons of 90-year-old Parker Bohn.
The only champ the crate motor division has known, however, may not be around to defend. D. Bohn said he and Eddie are planning to continue racing in North Carolina. He also received a NASCAR plaque, WTS trophy, a Hoosier jacket and a PDI Most Popular award.
The other top nine drivers were also hailed, including runner-up Robert Geibel, of Brick, the fourth placed Kevin Davidson, of Howell, and the eighth placed Marc Nappi, of Howell. Geibel took home class sportsman, Davidson top rookie and Nappi most improved awards.
Eyres went to the Woodlake rostrum three times to thank Boardwick, car owner Bob Rondeau, AVIS and Top Cuts Lawn Care among his crew, sponsors and family for his first track title in his 25-year driving career. The No. 21 Rondeau-Chevy driver won seven of 15 sportsman mains plus "Sportsman of the Year."
The other top 10 sportsmen drivers saluted included fourth placed Dave Green, Jr., of Farmingdale, and seventh ranked Steve Galgano, of Wingdale, N.Y. Green also earned most improved and former White Lake (N.Y.) Speedway runner Galgano top rookie prizes.
Mongeau was the third champ to received his NASCAR plaque, WTS trophy and Hoosier jacket. The No. 77 A-Plus Towing Pontiac pilot won three of 20features, including the Sept. 22 victory that gave him a class high 36features - breaking a tie with Craig "Pepe" Wallis.
Mongeau's crown is his sixth since 1985 and the last since 1997. The former modified and sportsman/pro stock racer is in a joint title tie with Okerson, Parker Bohn, Tony Siscone and the late Ray Gastelu. Only mod masters Gil Hearne and Dave Michel, who each hold eight crowns, hold more.
Runner-up Ron Frees, of Brick, left Woodlake with the sportsman award. Former WTS trucker Jerry Stanzione, of Keansburg garnered top rookie title. Ed McCarthy, of Brick, was named most improved. Eighth ranked Harry Schaefer, of Carteret, was voted as PDI's most popular street stocker.
Enduro veteran McLaughlin's focus on the Value Towing Factory Stock title also earned him five victories in 19 races. The Absolute Auto Salvage No. 06Chevy Monte Carlo man has added a street stock to his garage.
Eighth ranked John Lynch, of Aberdeen, got the most improved nod and ninth placed Scott Dugan the top rookie mantle. Driver/owner Tim Flanagan, of Hazlet, received the sportsman award and Jason Lane, of Brick, PDI's most popular.
Fulton's four years in Legends Cars paid off with three triumphs in 20 races. The Ideal Auto Body/Auto Creations N0. 90 600 Racing-Yamaha driver started racing go karts in the Somerset County 4H Club.
Fourth ranked Mark Tischler, of Bridgewater, garnered the top rookie prize. Malcolm Campbell, Jr., of Eatonton, got the PDI most popular and most improved plaudits. Father Malcolm Campbell, Sr. was named top sportsman.
Special service awards included those to 40-year track worker and Racing With Jesus Ministries track chaplain Bob Menschner, of Waretown, and young assistant flagger Kyle McGowan, of Fair Lawn. Race Director Jeff Tice was saluted for his part-year of service; Tice is moving to New Egypt Speedway this spring.
Walter Elliot