RGeeProductions
12-09-2012, 02:58 PM
Paules, Gursky, Graver, Miller, Freundt in spotlight at Mahoning Valley Speedway awards banquet
Mahoning Valley Speedway first year promoter Floyd Santee did it again. After drawing increased car counts and crowds all season long at the paved Lehighton quarter mile oval, the same scenario played out at the 2012 Awards Banquet as one of the largest gatherings in years came out to celebrate the past racing season.
350 guests assembled at Memorial Hall in Jim Thorpe for an evening fit for a champion and with close to $25,000 in point fund money, all divisional finishers in the top ten in points saw a raise in their payoff envelopes.
It was no surprise that Earl Paules of Palmerton picked up the lion’s share of the night’s hardware after his undisputed twin title runs in the Modifieds and Late Models. He also walked off with the Rookie of the Year and Fast Time Award with the later.
For Paules, it was a record setting season, becoming the first driver to win dual titles in the same season. His 50 overall starts were the most ever and his 10 Late Model wins tied the record for victories in a year.
In what is always one of the toughest classes at Mahoning, TJ Gursky was a return champion with the Street Stocks. The Palmerton star scored three wins including the season ending 100-lapper during the Octoberfast 2012. He eked his way to the title by a mere two points over Josh Mooney.
Just as he did in 2011, Lehighton’s Kris Graver had another superb season in the Dirt Modifieds. Graver won features in eight of 20 starts and only twice finished out of the top five. In two years’ time he has reeled off 15 victories and this was his third straight overall title as he won the 4-Cylinder Stock crown in 2010. He also set the new Dirt Modified fast time with a10.300. Not yet 20-years old, Graver has close to 30 career wins and continues to embark on a great future.
There may be no better deserving driver to win a championship than Northampton’s Jeremy Miller. After 15 years of racing with the 4-Cylinder Stocks, Miller finally earned a championship. And he did so with a solid performance throughout the year with a class leading seven feature and 11 heat wins.
He also tied the record for wins with the division at 32 and is ranked among the track’s top ten all-time winners list. Miller has won races in each of the past three decades and is indeed a worthy champion.
Dan Freundt of Lehighton was named the 4-Cylinder Stock Front Wheel Drive champion. The class was intermingled with the regular 4-Cylinder Stocks and paid a $50 bonus for the highest finisher each week. Freundt did well for himself there too, collecting 12 bonus payoffs that did wonders in bolstering his championship effort.
Zane Zeiner of Bath claimed the Mahoning Modified Madness Series title and the $2000 first place prize. The top six in the series’ all took home cash awards.
The Most Improved Driver Awards went to Kevin Rex, Jr., George Ramos III, Jason Kuhn, Jake Kibler and Mark Levy in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, 4-Cylinder Stocks and Dirt Mods respectively.
Scott Meckes, Modified, Ricky Yetter, Dirt Mod, Nick Baer, 4-Cylinder Stock and Kyle Strohl, Street Stock and FWD were named Rookies of the Year.
The Checkered Flag Fan Club Service Appreciation Award was rightfully given to Jim Truhe. His countless hours of hard work and dedication were greatly appreciated. Truhe, along with Tim Santee, Linda Pollack and Dino Oberto were presented gratitude awards for their duties at the track each.
On behalf of the entire track staff, promoter Santee was given a distinctive plated plaque, which was to thank him for all he did at the speedway.
Santee addressed the crowd by thanking them for a great year of racing and promised to continue with bigger and better shows in 2013. He noted that a mid-April date has been set for Opening Night.
Dino Oberto
Mahoning Valley Speedway first year promoter Floyd Santee did it again. After drawing increased car counts and crowds all season long at the paved Lehighton quarter mile oval, the same scenario played out at the 2012 Awards Banquet as one of the largest gatherings in years came out to celebrate the past racing season.
350 guests assembled at Memorial Hall in Jim Thorpe for an evening fit for a champion and with close to $25,000 in point fund money, all divisional finishers in the top ten in points saw a raise in their payoff envelopes.
It was no surprise that Earl Paules of Palmerton picked up the lion’s share of the night’s hardware after his undisputed twin title runs in the Modifieds and Late Models. He also walked off with the Rookie of the Year and Fast Time Award with the later.
For Paules, it was a record setting season, becoming the first driver to win dual titles in the same season. His 50 overall starts were the most ever and his 10 Late Model wins tied the record for victories in a year.
In what is always one of the toughest classes at Mahoning, TJ Gursky was a return champion with the Street Stocks. The Palmerton star scored three wins including the season ending 100-lapper during the Octoberfast 2012. He eked his way to the title by a mere two points over Josh Mooney.
Just as he did in 2011, Lehighton’s Kris Graver had another superb season in the Dirt Modifieds. Graver won features in eight of 20 starts and only twice finished out of the top five. In two years’ time he has reeled off 15 victories and this was his third straight overall title as he won the 4-Cylinder Stock crown in 2010. He also set the new Dirt Modified fast time with a10.300. Not yet 20-years old, Graver has close to 30 career wins and continues to embark on a great future.
There may be no better deserving driver to win a championship than Northampton’s Jeremy Miller. After 15 years of racing with the 4-Cylinder Stocks, Miller finally earned a championship. And he did so with a solid performance throughout the year with a class leading seven feature and 11 heat wins.
He also tied the record for wins with the division at 32 and is ranked among the track’s top ten all-time winners list. Miller has won races in each of the past three decades and is indeed a worthy champion.
Dan Freundt of Lehighton was named the 4-Cylinder Stock Front Wheel Drive champion. The class was intermingled with the regular 4-Cylinder Stocks and paid a $50 bonus for the highest finisher each week. Freundt did well for himself there too, collecting 12 bonus payoffs that did wonders in bolstering his championship effort.
Zane Zeiner of Bath claimed the Mahoning Modified Madness Series title and the $2000 first place prize. The top six in the series’ all took home cash awards.
The Most Improved Driver Awards went to Kevin Rex, Jr., George Ramos III, Jason Kuhn, Jake Kibler and Mark Levy in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, 4-Cylinder Stocks and Dirt Mods respectively.
Scott Meckes, Modified, Ricky Yetter, Dirt Mod, Nick Baer, 4-Cylinder Stock and Kyle Strohl, Street Stock and FWD were named Rookies of the Year.
The Checkered Flag Fan Club Service Appreciation Award was rightfully given to Jim Truhe. His countless hours of hard work and dedication were greatly appreciated. Truhe, along with Tim Santee, Linda Pollack and Dino Oberto were presented gratitude awards for their duties at the track each.
On behalf of the entire track staff, promoter Santee was given a distinctive plated plaque, which was to thank him for all he did at the speedway.
Santee addressed the crowd by thanking them for a great year of racing and promised to continue with bigger and better shows in 2013. He noted that a mid-April date has been set for Opening Night.
Dino Oberto