by LaCrosse Media PR
Officials from LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway released today the schedule for its 2012 racing season.
LaCrosse Media PR Photoby Dave Noelke
The 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway officially concluded Friday night at the 25th annual Champions' Banquet.
A crowd of over 300 guests, including many of the 2011 race teams, sponsors and family members, joined in the festivities. Over 100 awards were handed out at the event, held at Onalaska's Stoney Creek Inn Conference Center on a frigid and snowy January night.
Featured at the banquet was the crowning of the 2011 track champions: J. Herbst in the Kwik Trip NASCAR Late Models, Dan Gilster in the North Country Contractors Sportsmen, United Auto Supply Thunderstox Champion Andy Moore, Window World Hornet Champion Jay Raines, and Volden Construction Outlawz champion John Olson. This was Herbst's second Late Model title (2009), Gilster's fourth (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007), Moore's second (2006) and Olson's second (2010). Raines was a first time class champion this season.
The evening kicked off by recognizing the tenth through fourth place drivers in the Thunderstox, Sportsmen and Late Model divisions in addition to 5th and 4th in the Hornet and Outlawz divisions. A brief 2011 season review video produced by KQEG TV-23 was shown to the guests, while Jacklyn Daniels had a "Thrills and Spills recap" of the entire season that was shown during dinner, served by C&C Catering of Sparta, to everyone's delight.
Late Model Drivers participating in 50% or more features last season in attendance were eligible to win a $500 certificate towards a body package purchase at Five Star Race Car Bodies. In a random draw, drivers were eliminated from the award as their spouse or girlfriend lined up and picked a beverage can at random, with a driver's car number at the bottom. Last man standing was 2011 Late Model runner-up Todd Korish, and he was awarded the certificate.
Elko Speedway Media PR Photoby Jim Burns
Officials at Elko Speedway have announced the dates, times and competing classes for the 2012 SPRING DIRT NATIONALS at the 3/8ths mile speedplant! The opening action of the 2012 racing season will be held on Friday and Saturday April 20th and 21st and includes GREAT RACING action in the UMSS Winged Outlaw Sprint Cars along with the Elko Modifieds, IMCA style Stock Cars, Legends and Hornets both nights!
The racing schedule for each night is the same with Pit Gates set to open at 2pm, Spectator Gates opening at 5pm with a Drivers Meeting set for 5:30pm, Hot Laps at 6pm and the Green Flag flying at 7pm. Of special note for Legends drivers, the Saturday night racing will be a National Dirt Qualifying event, so expect big car counts and awesome side by side action in all divisions!
For competitors and crew members, a special 2 DAY pit pass is available for $55 or $30 per day. Spectator tickets are available for $15 per day general admission or $20 per day for a reserved seat. For directions or other event questions, feel free to visit the Elko Speedway website at www.elkospeedway.com or call the Racing Office (Saturdays only in the off season) at (952) 461-7223. Join us for "down and dirty" action at the Midwest Center for Speed as we kickoff the 2012 racing season!
Addendum by Greg Parent, UMSS Media Director
The UMSS Sprints put on two fantastic racing programs last fall at the inaugural Fall Dirt Nationals, and area fans can expect more exciting UMSS action this spring on the dirt at Elko. Each night will feature a complete racing program high-lighted by a 25-lap feature event. Purse details will be released as soon as they become available. Contact Elko Speedway for further information regarding the Spring Dirt Nationals or UMSS CDO Ron Bernhagen at 612-363-5302 for questions pertaining to the UMSS portion of the event. Visit the UMSS website at www.umsprints.com for more info about the series. A tentative schedule should be available at the UMSS banquet on January 28. See you at Elko Speedway on April 20-21 under what will hopefully be favorable weather conditions!
by Cedar Lake Speedway Media PR
As the new year draws near Cedar Lake Speedway is excited to release their 2012 event schedule. 2012 brings with it a few format changes and the addition of a new class. We are excited to welcome Hornets to our program for 2012. “The Hornets put on a great show, they are fun to watch and it provides an entry level class for new blood” noted owner Brad Both. The Hornet class has become very popular at other area tracks and we anticipate great car counts right away in 2012. A complete list of rules will be released very soon. Racing will begin at 6:00 each night and feature all 5 classes most nights. Please visit www.cedarlakespeedway.com often for updates.
Photo Gallery from the NASCAR® Whelen All-American Series Awards Ceremony on Friday, December 9th, 2011 - Click for Full Gallery
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Champion Philip Morris stands with his trophy at the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Banquet Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, at the Charlotte Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. (Jared C. Titlon/Getty Images for NASCAR)Photo Gallery from the NASCAR® Whelen All-American Series Awards Ceremony on Friday, December 9th, 2011 - Click for Full Gallery
Awards Banquet Honors Top Performers Of 2011
by Jason Christley
Philip Morris has made excellence seem routine as he was crowned as the 2011 national champion at the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet on Friday evening.
Morris, 46, from Ruckersville, Va., won the national championship for the fourth time in six seasons. He previously won in 2006, 2008 and 2009. He also collected his fourth Virginia championship in the last five seasons, as well as picking up the South Boston (Va.) Speedway Late Model Division title.
“Racing is never easy,” Morris said. “One thing I have realized is that achieving a dream demands hard work.”
In a heated points battle that went down to the final weekend of the season, Morris was able to edge defending national champion Keith Rocco of Conn., by just nine points. Lee Pulliam battled Morris on the national and Virginia stage and finished third overall – 27 points off Morris’ pace.
For the season, Morris earned 20 victories with 23 top fives and 28 top 10s in 28 starts.
After winning his fourth NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship, Morris looked back at his humble beginnings in the sport.
“It wasn’t that long ago that NASCAR was not a household name. The number of tracks and the size of the organization has increased drastically in the last 20 years. To the France family – thank you for dreaming big,” Morris said.
