North Central Speedway Media PR Photo (Speed Photography)by Tami Jo Kuehn
On a chilly Friday night many drivers, families and fans made their way to Jack’s House Bowling Alley in Brainerd for the North Central Speedway 2011 season banquet. Mike Brown, announcer of NCS, officiated the banquet with help from Denise Blood, Promoter KT and track Owner Cliff Sasker who celebrated his 10th season at NCS.
The hornet drivers were first to receive their awards with the top three drivers being honored with trophies. In the Outlaw Hornets, Derek Brenny was champion with Ashley Mehrwerth, and Matt Everts taking the top three points. The Hornet’s top finishers went to Derek Daudt in first followed by Brandon Mehrwerth and Aaron Johnson.
The NCS Pure Stocks were next up to get their trophies and the top five drivers were announced. Track champion was Jonny Moe with Gary Ohnstad, Jr., Richard Nelson, Lance Sprague, and David Eich topping the points.
The WISSOTA classes were next up to receive their awards. The drivers who finished in points six through ten were awarded checks for their positions and drivers in points first through fifth got plaques and jackets for the class champions.
WISSOTA Street Stocks were as follows: Tim Johnson as champion, Mark Johnson, Christina Wollak, John Kropuenske, Todd Wooden, Scott Baron, Jack Peterson, Tony Yezek, John Yilek, and Dexton Koch taking the top ten positions.
WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds were: Dan Ebert as champion, Danny Vang, Craig Larson, Travis Wermter, Shane Sabraski, Mike Japp, Jeremy Neyens, Marc Miller, Tom Gill, and Josh Larson finishing as the top drivers.
WISSOTA Super Stocks were as follows: Dave Read as champion, Tim Johnson, Seth Kramer, Jake Goetze, Ethan Sweet, Shane Sabraski, Max Dondelinger, Don Eischens, Tony Schaeffer, and Tim O’Brien finished in the top ten points.
WISSOTA Modifieds were Dan Ebert as champion, Jerry Esler, Shawn Fletcher, Erick Thiesse, Justin Jones, Ryan Canon, Jeff Hart, Don Eischens, Fred Aschenbauer, and Pete Hines were the top drivers.
Rookies of the year were: Pat Zerfas in Pure Stocks, Dexton Koch in Street Stocks, Jeremy Neyens in Midwest Modifieds, Max Dondelinger in Super Stocks and Dan Ebert in Modifieds.
Three drivers were then honored for breaking track records this year. Tim Johnson broke the record for number of Street Stock feature wins. Shane Sabraski broke the record for most feature wins and most heat wins in a Midwest modified. Mark Johnson however took the record for winning the most heats overall.
The most improved drivers of the year were Sam Esler in Hornets, David Dosh in the Pure’s, Christina Wollak in Street Stocks, Danny Vang in Midwest Modifieds, Seth Kramer in Super Stocks and Jerry Esler in the Modifieds.
The normal sportsmanship award was renamed this season and was called the Turbo award. The Turbo award was given to the drivers that were the best sports with the most positive attitudes. Hornets went to Ashley Mehrwerth, Pure Stocks went to Gary Ohnstad Jr., John Kropuenske got Street Stocks, Travis Wermter got Midwest Modifieds, Supers went to Dave Read and Jerry Esler got the Modifieds.
Hard Luck awards were voted on that night and given to the drivers as well for each class. Pure Stocks went to Cory Hill, Street Stocks was Jack Peterson, Midwest Modifieds was Louis Wermter, Super Stocks was Seth Kramer and Mark Prueser in the Modifieds.
Drama King and Queen awards were giving with Tom Anderson getting the King award and Drew Fletcher getting the Queen award.
The Hoosier award was another new award this year. The Hoosier award will be a traveling award and be passed each season onto the new winner. The Hoosier award was voted on by the fans and it was for the driver who cut or damaged the most tires. The 2011 Hoosier Award went to Tim Johnson.
The Best Pit Party award was given this year to Tim Johnson and Family for the fun they have in the pits after the races. There was also an award for the Most Supportive Family and the winners were Ernie and Teri Wollak, Parents of Street Stock racer Christina Wollak.
The awards were given and the night continued on with many fun activities. Photo Shoots, midnight bowling, Sumo Wrestling and other events as well as many drawings for drivers and for fans as well. The night was full of fun for everyone and a great way to end the 2011 season.
Thank you to Cliff and KT for all the endless hours they worked to make the 2011 season the great season it was. Thank you to all the employees and drivers who made each week’s races a success. And a HUGE thank you to the families and fans that came out to NCS for live racing action. Each race night is possible because of all of you, thank you again.
Keep your eyes on the website at www.racencs.net and facebook and twitter for 2012 racing information.
This article was posted to the website on January 3rd, 2012 • Click to view all related content in the following categories
