FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- - -THANK YOU
CONTACT: BOB MILLER
LANCASTER, PA
Short Track Racings Premier Season End Celebration. . . . . .
With spot lights flashing inside the tiered seating of the Grand Ballroom at Lancaster Host in Lancaster, PA, the United Racing Company honored their competitors in grand style with class and elegance at their 62nd Annual Awards Banquet. This affair continues to be an "over the top" event and Saturday night was no different. In the spotlight, capturing his first ever Rislone URC Sprint Series Championship was JJ Grasso of Pedricktown, NJ. For car owner Kathy Palladino, she is certainly not a stranger to the stage, winning her sixth URC Owner Championship in 2009. Kathy is not only the first women URC Owner Champion, but the first owner in sixty-two years of URC history to win six titles, a daunting accomplishment. Grasso and Palladino received a healthy chunk of the $45,000 cash point fund payout. In fact, JJ and Kathy shared the $10,000 winning champions share of the payoff. 2009 was the first year for this newly formed team and they came out fighting at the first green flag of the season, winning the opener at the Delaware International Speedway. They went on to win six features, the Rislone URC Sprint Series season long point chase along with the Taylor & Messick Delaware State Point Series, the Valley Forge INC Pennsylvania State Point Series and the Fred's Trailer Parts New Point Series of 2009.
Along with the lucrative point fund payoff, the team of Grasso and Palladino collected other awards to include the beautiful gold Champions Rings, their Championship Award, the URC Rislone Perpetual Championship Cup, a beautiful clock from Tim and Karen Moran as well as a pair of American Racer Jackets. During the course of the night, Pat Palladino the crew chief for the BK Leasing #99, received the prestigious Mechanic of the Year Award.
It was an emotional moment, as JJ, well know as the "Jersey Jet" along with Kathy and Pat Palladino and their crew gathered at center stage. They stood there before, but tonight was special because of their new found success with a new team and a dynamic driver like JJ Grasso.
The evening opened with an optimistic outlook to the fast approaching 2010 Rislone URC Sprint Series. A firm schedule is almost in place and will be complimented with some new special events and even a few new tracks joining the tour.
Numerous media members were on hand along with key sponsors who make this all possible. Representing Bar's Products was Clay Parks, Shelly Gasgione, Bill Gallagher of Valley Forge INC., Fred Kennedy of Fred's Trailer Parts Center, Paul Messick of Viper Fuels, Denise Gentzler of Hank's Performance, Chubby Ciarrocchi of CnB Mushroom Farms, Todd Wise of LikeWise Construction, Gary Cornell of Brad Penn Oil and Joe Jordan of J&H Welding.
URC also honored their hard work officials that include Flo Fling, Steve Peters, Billy Gallagher, Tim Moran and Midge Miller.
Special awards were presented and the first award of the evening was the Joe Pratt Achieving Excellence in Motorsports Awards. The recipient was Danny Sammons for his efforts as a crew member, a team coach and motivator who helped his brother Davey Sammons and team capture a runner-up finish in the season long point chase.
The Presidential Award, presented by John Zimmerman went to Tim and Karen Moran, URC's photographers who work so hard each and every week, not only for URC, but for all the competitors of URC.
URC driver Kyle Purks was the winner of the Wilwood Tough Brake Award, valued at $700.
Special Awards Include:
Lee Myles Transmission Best Appearing Car Award went to Debbie Sammons and the Heart Attack Racing #79.
BPG Racing Crew Member of the Year Award, recipient was Dave Martzel of the John Pinter #92 team.
Area Auto Racing News URC Dedication Award, recipient was Robbie Stillwaggon.
Patti Miller sponsored Jim Shaw Memorial Award, recipient was Dave Betts
Jan Gilbert sponsored URC Women of the Year Award, recipient was Jennifer Michael
Andi Weiner sponsored URC Joe Fiore Mechanic of the Year Award, recipient was Pat Palladino
NAPA Auto Parts sponsored Harry Johnson Founders Award, recipient was the First State Fans, Tammie, Tyler, Mike & Matt Chambers.
URC Determination Award, recipient was Jonathan Swanson, who also received a Simpson Helmet valued at $800.
Program Dynamics sponsored Most Improved Driver, recipient was Josh Weller
Cher Zimmerman sponsored URC Rookie of the Year Award, recipient was Andy Best. Best also received $600 check from Denise Gentzler of Hank's Performance, a $300 J&H Certificate and a check for $1,000 from Todd Wise of Likewise Construction.
The Fred's Trailer Parts Center Hard Charger Award winner was Tervor Lewis who received left and right rear tire.
A $500 cash reward went to Brett Schoenly. for his participation in the Chips Reward Program. Thirty-five URC members earned chips for each promotional effort they made in 2009. In total, drivers and owners delivered one-hundred and thirty-five activities, in combinations of press releases, interviews, personal appearance or the display of their race car.
A Manufacturers Drawing with of a value of more than $4,500 went to Scott McClaren as the Brodix Heads (valued at $2,500) were won by Kenny Meisner.
URC's Top 20 Drivers- - JJ Grasso, Davey Sammons, Chris Coyle, Curt Michael, Becca Anderson, Nick Schlauch, Robbie Stillwaggon, Kramer Williamson, Art Liedl, Andy Best*, Josh Weller, Tim Hogue, Brett Schoenly, Trevor Lewis, Kyle Purks, Justin Collett, Jonathan Swanson*, Kenny Meisner*, Eddie Wagner III*, Randy West.
URC's Top 20 Owners- - Kathy Palladino, Debbie Sammons, Dave Betts, Bill Gallagher, Jimmy Martin Jr., John Pinter, Nick Schlauch, Robbie Stillwaggon, Kramer Williamson, Art Liedl, Andy Best, Rick Weller, Tim Hogue, Mark Millikowski, Scott McClaren, Kyle Purks, Jonathan Swanson, Kenny Meisner, Ed Wagner Jr. Fred Kennedy.
For photos from the Banquet, please visit our website at : www.urcsprints.com> |
