10/23/2004

HOLLAND SPEEDWAY HONORS STRICTLY STOCK CHAMPIONS AT FIRST OF TWO AWARDS BANQUETS

Holland, NY: A large crowd was on hand for the first of Holland Speedway's two annual season awards banquets. The affair was held at the Holland Willows in Holland, NY, and served to recognize the top drivers in 2004 in the strictly stock divisions of racing at the Western New York oval. 

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the track championship awards to the high point drivers of the five divisions. Greg Urban of Cheektowaga, NY captured his second consecutive Figure 8 car championship on the strength of six feature victories, while Matt Welshans of West Falls, NY parlayed a single win and consistent top five finishes in to a first career 8-cylinder Challenger crown. Dan Nellist of West Falls, NY rolled to three main event wins to earn his second straight Stinger title, while Dan Brew of Cheektowaga, NY notched two wins en route to the Hornet season title. Mary Place of West Valley, NY earned a timely victory in the season ending double point championship race to edge her way to the Queen Bee track title. 

Joining Greg Urban in the top three in Figure 8 Car points were runner-up Nick Schaefer and third place Sharon Hughes. Schaefer, with a single feature win to his credit, earned the division's Most Improved Driver award, while four time feature winner Hughes repeated as the winner of the Most Sportsmanlike driver award. Former champ Scott Pastorius scored two feature wins, finished fourth in points, and was named the division's Most Popular Driver, while fifth place finishing "Mad Mike" Eckam raced to a single feature win and was presented with the division's Hard Luck Award. Matt Bove earned the Rookie of the Year Award. 

Challenger champ Matt Welshans was named the division's Most Improved Driver and also received the McCool's Paint Workz Best Appearing Car Award for his #93 Monte Carlo. The Best Appearing Pit Crew Award was presented to the crew of the father/son race team of Tom and Jeff Madill for the second straight year. Tom Madill, along with Jim Mallaber, who saw the chance at a track title disappear with a shredded tire while leading the final race of the season, were the recipients of the division's Hard Luck Awards, while George Urban was named the division's Rookie of the Year. Sean Kirsch was the winner of the Most Popular Driver Award. Joining Welshans on the points podium were runner-up Rick Roth and third place Jerry Carpenter, each with a single feature win. 

The Nellist family enjoyed a night of 4-cylinder Stinger division awards, as Champ Dan Nellist was joined on stage by brother Mike Nellist, the points runner-up. Bill Verwys placed third in points and was named as the division's Most Improved Driver. Michelle Roberts, in her "Pinky Tuscadero Special" #43, earned the McCool's Paint Workz Best Appearing Car Award and was named the division's Most Popular Driver. 

Dan Brew, who was points runner-up in 2003, moved up a spot to claim the Hornet division title in 2004. With one feature win, Jason Adams earned his second straight top three points finish, taking runner-up honors, while third place Bill Mauerman also received the Most Popular Driver Award. Ted Welshans received the McCool's Paint Workz Best Appearing Car Award for his #17 Honda, while Bruce Taylor, with a fifth place points finish, was named the division's Most Improved Driver. Bob Crowley received the Hornet Hard Luck Driver Award. 

Queen Bee Champ Mary Place took home an arm full of awards, winning the Best Appearing Pit Crew and Most Popular Driver Awards, and also receiving the McCool's Paint Workz Best Appearing Car Award for her #16 Honda. Ruth Booth, with three feature wins on the season, was the points runner-up for the second consecutive year, and earned the division's Hard Luck Award. Noreen Koningisor finished third in points, and was the division's Most Improved Driver. 

The second of the two Holland Speedway 2004 Awards Banquets will be held on Friday, November 12th, at the Buffalo Raceway and Gaming Facility in the Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY. The second affair will honor the top drivers in the NASCAR Late Model Pro Stock, Pro Modified, Charger, and Pro Four divisions. 

Challengers - Top 10 in Points: MATT WELSHANS, Rick Roth, Jerry Carpenter, Mike McDonald, Rich Hoch, Jim Mallaber, George Urban, Nick Schaefer, Jeff Madill, Sean Kirsch.
Feature Race Winners: Mike McDonald (2), Bob Schosek, Matt Welshans, John Conte, Jerry Carpenter, and Rick Roth. (rain - 3) 

Figure 8 Cars - Top 6 in Points: GREG URBAN, Nick Schaefer, Sharon Hughes, Scott Pastorius, Mike Eckam, Matt Bove.
Feature Race Winners: Greg Urban (6), Sharon Hughes (4), Scott Pastorius (2), Nick Schaefer, Mike Eckam, and Rich Perkins. (rain - 6) 

Stingers - Top 10 in Points: DAN NELLIST, Mike Nellist, Bill Verwys, Ricky Roth, Rich Perkins, Dan Hutchinson, Jason Fisher, Michelle Roberts, Brian Porebski, Jay Murphy.
Feature Race Winners: Dan Nellist (3), Jay Murphy (2), Brian Porebski, and Dan Hutchinson. (rain - 3) 

Hornets - Top 10 in Points: DAN BREW, Jason Adams, Bill Mauerman, Jim Bryant, Bruce Taylor, Ricky Roth, Steve Greenauer, Ted Welshans, David Baker, Rob Van Wie.
Feature Race Winners: Dan Brew (2), Jason Adams, Ricky Roth, and Steve Greenauer. (rain - 5) 

Queen Bees - Top 10 in Points: MARY PLACE, Ruth Booth, Noreen Koningisor, Laura Witter, Lisa Loffredo, Laura Yandricha, Mae Urban, Jessica Roth, Nicole Twoguns, Kim Marzec.
Feature Race Winners: Ruth Booth (3), Jessica Roth, Laura Yandricha, and Mary Place. (rain - 4) 

Source:  Rick Mooney/Holland Speedway PR
Posted:  October 24, 2004