RGeeProductions
11-16-2015, 08:29 AM
Lancaster National Speedway put the wraps on a successful 2015 season for the Seneca Resorts & Casinos Stock Car program on Saturday night with the annual season awards banquet held at the Backstage Pub in Cheektowaga, N.Y.
Drivers from Lancaster's three weekly home track divisions shared in the $10,000 point fund. Money collected from the sale of each Hoosier Racing tire sold at the speedway during the 2015 season went towards the points fund as did a contribution from track management. The Friends of Auto Racing (FOAR Score) Fan Club paid out an additional $5,900 to the drivers that was raised through the 50/50 ticket sales administered by FOAR Score every Saturday night at Lancaster.
The stars of the evening were the 2015 Lancaster National Speedway track champions. Mark Pennell of Lancaster secured first career track championship in the Sportsman Modifieds. Pennell bounced back from finishes of 11th and 13th in the first two races of the season to take home the title for the Thompson Racing team. It was the first championship for the Thompson team since 1996.
Richard Sharpe of Lancaster picked up the 2015 Street Stock title. Sharpe had a dominant season with wins in six out of the seven races. He failed to finish outside of the top three in 2015. It's the first championship for the 2014 U.S. Open Street Stock winner.
Depew, N.Y.'s Rich Bartel was crowned 4-Cylinder champion for the second-straight year. Bartel's title defense came down to the final night of the season as he caught and passed Chris Bugenhagen with four laps to go to secure the championship. His title run was sparked by a run of four-straight top two finishes to end the season, including two wins.
A pair of specialty awards were also presented. Long time Lancaster fans, "Camper Jim" and Linda Gottman, received the Alex Friesen Spirit of Racing Award. The Gottmans are a fixture of the camping area in the speedway parking lot, where they faithfully park their RV for each and every Modified race. They are also supporters of lap sponsorship programs where the contribute in the memory of their departed friend, Alex Friesen.
Lancaster National Speedway General Manager, Melissa McGowan, was presented with the Tommy Druar Contribution to Racing Award for her efforts in leading the turn around of the facility this season. McGowan started her position on December 1, 2014, and within a few months had assembled a management staff, planned a season schedule and put together the initial details of the speedway's capital improvement plan. All of this was done with a devotion for a place that she had seen for the first time in her life just a few months prior. McGowan will be scaling back her role with Lancaster in 2016 to spend more time with her family in North Carolina.
Newly named Track President, Tim Packman, addressed the audience and committed to continuing the progress made this past season. Packman has signed a three-year contract with the track's ownership group as he takes on his new role. He and McGowan have already begun preparations for the 2016 season by securing sponsors for the upcoming year.
The 2016 season at Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway will begin the weekend of April 16-17. The stock car opener will be Sunday, April 17 featuring a 75-lap event for the Race of Champions Modified Series.
Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway is a multi-use facility located on 77 acres just outside of metropolitan Buffalo, N.Y. The facility features a 1/8-mile drag strip, a 1/2-mile oval track and hosts several non-motorsports events such as car shows and concerts. For the latest information on Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway check out our website www.lancasternationalspeedway.com. Additional information for racers and fans can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LancasterSpeedway) and on Twitter (@LancasterSpdwy).
Dave Buchanan
Drivers from Lancaster's three weekly home track divisions shared in the $10,000 point fund. Money collected from the sale of each Hoosier Racing tire sold at the speedway during the 2015 season went towards the points fund as did a contribution from track management. The Friends of Auto Racing (FOAR Score) Fan Club paid out an additional $5,900 to the drivers that was raised through the 50/50 ticket sales administered by FOAR Score every Saturday night at Lancaster.
The stars of the evening were the 2015 Lancaster National Speedway track champions. Mark Pennell of Lancaster secured first career track championship in the Sportsman Modifieds. Pennell bounced back from finishes of 11th and 13th in the first two races of the season to take home the title for the Thompson Racing team. It was the first championship for the Thompson team since 1996.
Richard Sharpe of Lancaster picked up the 2015 Street Stock title. Sharpe had a dominant season with wins in six out of the seven races. He failed to finish outside of the top three in 2015. It's the first championship for the 2014 U.S. Open Street Stock winner.
Depew, N.Y.'s Rich Bartel was crowned 4-Cylinder champion for the second-straight year. Bartel's title defense came down to the final night of the season as he caught and passed Chris Bugenhagen with four laps to go to secure the championship. His title run was sparked by a run of four-straight top two finishes to end the season, including two wins.
A pair of specialty awards were also presented. Long time Lancaster fans, "Camper Jim" and Linda Gottman, received the Alex Friesen Spirit of Racing Award. The Gottmans are a fixture of the camping area in the speedway parking lot, where they faithfully park their RV for each and every Modified race. They are also supporters of lap sponsorship programs where the contribute in the memory of their departed friend, Alex Friesen.
Lancaster National Speedway General Manager, Melissa McGowan, was presented with the Tommy Druar Contribution to Racing Award for her efforts in leading the turn around of the facility this season. McGowan started her position on December 1, 2014, and within a few months had assembled a management staff, planned a season schedule and put together the initial details of the speedway's capital improvement plan. All of this was done with a devotion for a place that she had seen for the first time in her life just a few months prior. McGowan will be scaling back her role with Lancaster in 2016 to spend more time with her family in North Carolina.
Newly named Track President, Tim Packman, addressed the audience and committed to continuing the progress made this past season. Packman has signed a three-year contract with the track's ownership group as he takes on his new role. He and McGowan have already begun preparations for the 2016 season by securing sponsors for the upcoming year.
The 2016 season at Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway will begin the weekend of April 16-17. The stock car opener will be Sunday, April 17 featuring a 75-lap event for the Race of Champions Modified Series.
Founded in 1959, Lancaster National Speedway is a multi-use facility located on 77 acres just outside of metropolitan Buffalo, N.Y. The facility features a 1/8-mile drag strip, a 1/2-mile oval track and hosts several non-motorsports events such as car shows and concerts. For the latest information on Lancaster National Speedway & Dragway check out our website www.lancasternationalspeedway.com. Additional information for racers and fans can be found on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/LancasterSpeedway) and on Twitter (@LancasterSpdwy).
Dave Buchanan