RGeeProductions
11-10-2013, 06:51 PM
In its 14th season with Hazleton’s Joe Callavini at the helm, Mountain Speedway held its annual awards banquet Saturday evening at Genetti’s Inn & Suites in Hazleton, PA.
The event was special in sorts and not only because each of the divisional champions and their competitors were honored, but also because the event marked the final awards ceremony for Mountain Speedway, which will be under new management next season.
Hundreds filled the banquet hall, including crew and friends and family members of racers that competed at the 1/3-mile asphalt oval in St. Johns, PA during the 2013-racing season. Along with the presentation of special awards, the end of the year celebration was held to recognize the top points finishers each of the track’s divisions.
Speedway Announcers Gene Ostrowski and Larry Spencer III were the emcees for the ceremony and spoke about the past season and focused on the positive that came out of a troublesome year for the track. They continued by thanking the drivers, families and crewmembers for not only supporting the speedway, but also for supporting short track racing in general.
The evening was highlighted when Brian DeFebo of Berwick, PA was crowned as the Modified champion. For years now, DeFebo has been the driver to beat at his home track and this year was absolutely dominant for the driver. DeFebo notched 10 wins, brining him to a record 53 career Modified victories at Mountain Speedway alone. During his speech, DeFebo thanked everyone who supported him, including his mother, Sophie Welsh; his girlfriend, Brandi Senkus and their son Carter.
The remaining divisional champions were honored as well, including Jason Hearne of Brunswick, NJ, who notched his first career Sport Modified title. Hearne thanked his car owner, Jim Wolf and everyone that helped him through out the season and his entire career. Hearne amassed three feature wins in the division this season and he also went to victory lane for the first time in a Tour Type Modified as well.
Mitch Hawk of Saylorsburg, PA scored his first championship in the Late Model division. Following his first career feature early in the season, Hawk remained consistent over the course of the season and ended up tallying up four total feature wins.
In a dominating season, Kevin Higgins of Alden, PA grabbed his first career Street Stock title. Higgins thanked everyone that helped him throughout his career, including his family, who helped him score six feature wins this season.
Matt Mattern, Jr. of Mountaintop, PA clinched his first career Factory Stock title this season. Following a year filled with feature wins and part failures, Mattern went to victory lane on six occasions, including the season ending “King of the Mountain” event.
Thirteen feature wins led Scott Adams of Lake Ariel to the Four Cylinder championship and ten feature victories pointed Brendon Bock of Franklin Square, NY his first Mountain title in the INEX Legends division.
Scott Riggleman of Manchester, NJ claimed his first Mountain Speedway title in the 6/8-Cylinder Enduro division, as did Larry Spencer III of Nanticoke in the 4-Cylinder Enduro class.
Several special awards were present to the winning drivers that were present to receive them.
Sponsored by Rose and Joe Gaughan, mantle clocks were presented to the drivers present who ran the fastest feature lap of the season. The winners were Zane Zeiner (Modified), Dave Brigati (Sport Modified), Kyle Harvell (Late Model), Chris Burge (Street Stock), Matt Mattern, Jr. (Factory Stock), Scott Adams (Four Cylinder) and Brandon DeBrakeleer (INEX Legends).
Sponsored by Himmer Graphics, the Rookie of the Year winners were Amber Fortin (Modified), Riley Moczulski (Late Model), Rich Emel (Street Stock), Del Morgan (Factory Stock) and John Banashefski (Four Cylinder).
Sponsored by Tyler Jett Motorsports Marketing, the Most Improved Driver awards were presented to Brian Sones (Modified), Mark Tyson (Late Model), Kevin Higgins (Street Stock), Stephanie Moyer (Factory Stock) and Harry O’Neill (Four Cylinder).
Mountain Speedway presented a special “Fan of the Year” award to Michael Berta. Berta rarely missed an event this season at the track and enjoys keeping himself up to date with all of the racers in every single division.
Ostrowski closed out the awards presentation by thanking the racers and the Callavini family for their continued support of short track racing in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Music was provided by DJ Donny Dee.
Mountain Speedway is just minutes from Hazleton, Pa, located on St. John’s Road, between Routes 93 and 309. For more information, including upcoming shows and news, please visit www.mountainspeedway.com.
Gene Ostrowski
The event was special in sorts and not only because each of the divisional champions and their competitors were honored, but also because the event marked the final awards ceremony for Mountain Speedway, which will be under new management next season.
Hundreds filled the banquet hall, including crew and friends and family members of racers that competed at the 1/3-mile asphalt oval in St. Johns, PA during the 2013-racing season. Along with the presentation of special awards, the end of the year celebration was held to recognize the top points finishers each of the track’s divisions.
Speedway Announcers Gene Ostrowski and Larry Spencer III were the emcees for the ceremony and spoke about the past season and focused on the positive that came out of a troublesome year for the track. They continued by thanking the drivers, families and crewmembers for not only supporting the speedway, but also for supporting short track racing in general.
The evening was highlighted when Brian DeFebo of Berwick, PA was crowned as the Modified champion. For years now, DeFebo has been the driver to beat at his home track and this year was absolutely dominant for the driver. DeFebo notched 10 wins, brining him to a record 53 career Modified victories at Mountain Speedway alone. During his speech, DeFebo thanked everyone who supported him, including his mother, Sophie Welsh; his girlfriend, Brandi Senkus and their son Carter.
The remaining divisional champions were honored as well, including Jason Hearne of Brunswick, NJ, who notched his first career Sport Modified title. Hearne thanked his car owner, Jim Wolf and everyone that helped him through out the season and his entire career. Hearne amassed three feature wins in the division this season and he also went to victory lane for the first time in a Tour Type Modified as well.
Mitch Hawk of Saylorsburg, PA scored his first championship in the Late Model division. Following his first career feature early in the season, Hawk remained consistent over the course of the season and ended up tallying up four total feature wins.
In a dominating season, Kevin Higgins of Alden, PA grabbed his first career Street Stock title. Higgins thanked everyone that helped him throughout his career, including his family, who helped him score six feature wins this season.
Matt Mattern, Jr. of Mountaintop, PA clinched his first career Factory Stock title this season. Following a year filled with feature wins and part failures, Mattern went to victory lane on six occasions, including the season ending “King of the Mountain” event.
Thirteen feature wins led Scott Adams of Lake Ariel to the Four Cylinder championship and ten feature victories pointed Brendon Bock of Franklin Square, NY his first Mountain title in the INEX Legends division.
Scott Riggleman of Manchester, NJ claimed his first Mountain Speedway title in the 6/8-Cylinder Enduro division, as did Larry Spencer III of Nanticoke in the 4-Cylinder Enduro class.
Several special awards were present to the winning drivers that were present to receive them.
Sponsored by Rose and Joe Gaughan, mantle clocks were presented to the drivers present who ran the fastest feature lap of the season. The winners were Zane Zeiner (Modified), Dave Brigati (Sport Modified), Kyle Harvell (Late Model), Chris Burge (Street Stock), Matt Mattern, Jr. (Factory Stock), Scott Adams (Four Cylinder) and Brandon DeBrakeleer (INEX Legends).
Sponsored by Himmer Graphics, the Rookie of the Year winners were Amber Fortin (Modified), Riley Moczulski (Late Model), Rich Emel (Street Stock), Del Morgan (Factory Stock) and John Banashefski (Four Cylinder).
Sponsored by Tyler Jett Motorsports Marketing, the Most Improved Driver awards were presented to Brian Sones (Modified), Mark Tyson (Late Model), Kevin Higgins (Street Stock), Stephanie Moyer (Factory Stock) and Harry O’Neill (Four Cylinder).
Mountain Speedway presented a special “Fan of the Year” award to Michael Berta. Berta rarely missed an event this season at the track and enjoys keeping himself up to date with all of the racers in every single division.
Ostrowski closed out the awards presentation by thanking the racers and the Callavini family for their continued support of short track racing in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Music was provided by DJ Donny Dee.
Mountain Speedway is just minutes from Hazleton, Pa, located on St. John’s Road, between Routes 93 and 309. For more information, including upcoming shows and news, please visit www.mountainspeedway.com.
Gene Ostrowski