Sun, 7 Feb 2010, 02:14 AM And Finally...

By Bob Frey Photo copyright 2010 BME Photography & Robert Grice

Dave McClelland and "Lefty" Jere Grice

This past weekend the final divisional banquet and award's ceremony was held and that brings to a close the "rubber chicken" circuit. For anyone who has even been to any such ceremony, not just the Division 4 one, you know why I refer to it by that name. Let's face it, very few people go to these affairs for the food. Ok, nobody goes for the food. What they do go for is the opportunity to share some good times with friends, fellow racers and competitors. Plus, there's a chance you might, just might, win one of the special awards that are given out. Since most of the presentations go to the season champions, and everyone knows who they are, it's these special awards that usually spice up the evening.

Standing Gary Emmons(Stock/SS), Shawn Carter(SG), Ray Todd(SST), Jerry Holt (TD), Keith Raftery (TS), Ben Brown (Bike) Kneeling Craig Hutchinson, Chase Williams (Comp), Brandon Lewis (TAD), Steve Harker (TAFC)

At the D-4 gathering this past week all of the division champs, the All Stars and the Summit Series champions were honored. They also gave special recognition to the members of the division who finished in the top ten in the national Lucas Oil points standings. Among that group were Brandon Lewis and Mike Manners in TAD, Steve Harker who finished second in the TAFC class, Gary Emmons and Joe Teuton in Super Stock, Jerry Emmons in Stock, Tommy Phillips and Craig Anderson. Tommy had another very good year making the top ten in both Super Comp and Super Gas while Craig a shot at the Super Gas national championship for a while before finishing in seventh place. Tommy also received the award for the best "Super Wrench of the Year," and based on his performances it's easy to see why. Among those Summit Series champions that I mentioned was James McNeal who not only won the division title but he also captured the national championship in Pomona,. For his efforts James was presented the "ET Driver of the Year" award. Representing Paris Drag Strip, James had a great year and he said that he's looking forward to defending his championship in 2010.

Greg and Chase Williams

The battles for the championships in Division 4 were very hotly contested, but none were more competitive than the one in Competition Eliminator. Chase Williams and Adam Hickey both had great years and, at the end of the season, they were actually tied in the points standings. Going to a tie-breaker Chase edged out Adam to get his first division title. Along with his father, Greg, the two picked up a win and two runner-up finishes on the division trail and that was enough to propel them to the championship. After picking up his hardware, Chase was joined on stage by his dad who was presented with the Competition Eliminator "Wrench of the Year" award. Congratulations to the Williams family and good luck in the year ahead. At the top of the sportsman food chain, Brandon Lewis and Steve Harker were crowned the TAD and TAFC champs respectively. For Brandon it was his first championship while Steve was crowned D-4 champ for the fourth consecutive year.

Craig Hutchinson and "Thriller" Jerry Virgadamo

There were two very special awards presented at the D-4 banquet and they went to the "Thriller" and "Lefty." "Thriller," who sometimes goes by the name of Jerry Virgadamo, was given the "Crawford Benham" award while "Lefty," whose real name is Jere Grice, was inducted into the Division 4 Hall of Fame. "Thriller" has been a racer in the division for many years and he is one of the most well liked drivers in the sport. He often does that little extra to help his fellow racers, even if he's competing against them, and his sense of humor is legendary. The "Crawford Benham" award is one of the most prestigious in the division and "Thriller" was humbled by the award. I would like to say he was speechless but "Thriller" is never speechless. For his part "Lefty," who was a former Top Fuel driver and a long time member of the NHRA Safety Safari, and who retired a few years ago, was inducted into the Hall of Fame by his friend and fellow Hall member, Dave McClelland. Congratulations to Jerry and Jere and their special honors.

Bill Taylor

Division 2 held their banquet a few weeks ago and we'd like to congratulate their winners, too. They added three people to their Hall of Fame and they included a pro driver, a sportsman driver and an "At Random" selection. The great Dave Schultz was the pro driver, veteran Stan Mizell was the sportsman inductee and Bill Taylor was the "At Random" selection. Other special award winners included Lucas Oil as the "Sponsor of the Year," Rodney Eades as "Sportsman Wrench of the Year," Larry Allen as "Pro/Sportsman Wrench of the Year" and Mike Poole as the "Person of the Year."

Sitting Sherman Adcock, Jim Perry, Mike Desio Standing Duane Shields, Mickey Ferro, Arnie Martel, Anthony Bertozzi, Kevin Helms, Jerry Barker, Steve Furr

Like the other divisions, all of the season's champions were honored including the Lucas Oil and Summit Series champs. And, like the other divisions, there were some special, surprise winners, too. Among them was Jim Perry who was honored as the "Sportsman Driver of the Year." That shouldn't come as a big surprise since Jim not only won the division championship but he also took the national title as well. This was Jim's second division title following the one he won in 2005. The "Summit ET Driver of the Year" was Troy Williams. Troy, one of the best bracket and "big money" racers in the country, added success in the Top Dragster class to his resume this year. Jeremy Preston, who won his first division race at Gainesville last year, was named the Division 2 "Rookie of the Year," and Orlando track operator Carl Weisinger was named the "Promoter of the Year." I went to Orlando last year and I have to say that Carl and his staff have done a wonderful job at the track and it may be the most improved facility in the country. Already a great promoter, with events like his famous World Street Car Nationals, Carl's track got a complete face lift over the past two years and it is a pleasure to go there, whether you're a racer or a spectator.

Stan Mizell

With all of the division awards ceremonies in the rear view mirror now, we'd like to take a moment to congratulate all the winners and everyone who made the 2009 season such an exciting one at the local and divisional level. A special word of thanks to all of the Division Directors and the workers, both paid and volunteer, who help keep the division races running so well. There are a lot of people who never get recognized at the awards ceremonies but who are instrumental in the overall operation of the races. To those people we offer a big thank you. Keep up the good work and we'll see you at the races in 2010.