11/26/2004

WCIS WRAPS UP 2004 SEASON WITH AWARDS BANQUET

The Wyoming County International Speedway paid tribute to the efforts of their drivers, fans, and race teams with their annual season ending awards banquet held last Saturday at the Genesee River Restaurant in Mt. Morris, NY. 

All six weekly division and series champions were honored with trophies and special gifts for their outstanding seasons. 

Weekly division champions included Bill Verwys of Elba who was crowned 4-Cylinder WASP Champion with his 11-win season. Verwys was the only champion missing from the ceremony as he was racing in Pennsylvania for the weekend. He plans to move up to the Street Stock division in 2005. Ken Barber of Dansville defended his Street Stock championship crown. Barber owed all of the good efforts to his Herbert-Heubusch Racing crew. The "Evil 1" Ron Williams of Lancaster netted his sixth career WCIS track title in the SST Sportsman division. Williams won eight features during the 2004 season. 

Leading the list of series champions was Paul Young of Lancaster in the WNY Mini Club. The traveling series spends a majority of its season at the bullring in Perry as Young won five of the ten races held at WCIS. Tommy Reese of West Seneca captured the monthly Late Model Madness Series championship by winning three of the five races. Reese won the Late Model title in 2003 as well when it was a weekly division. In the monthly Modified Mania series Tony Hanbury of Owego was crowned champion. Hanbury won three out of the four events. For Hanbury it marks his third championship of 2004 as was also Modified champion at Tioga Motorsports Park and the Race of Champions Modified Tour champion. 

There was also a handful of specialty awards handed out to recognize the efforts of those who race and/or work behind the scenes. The Butch Drennen Outstanding Achievement Award was named in honor of the late Sportsman driver who passed away last Winter. Winners of the award in 2004 included Patti Pruitt (Sportsman), Wayne Semmel (Street Stock), and Bill Verwys (4-cyl). RNE Most Improved Driver Awards went to Dick Kluth (Sportsman), Bob Herman (Street Stock), and Eric Hastrieter (4-cyl). In the category of Hard Charger awards were given to Josh Beardsley (4-cyl), Curtis Prince (Street Stock), Jim Love (Sportsman), and Brad Smales (Late Models). In the final divisional category, Billy Ray Pruitt (Sportsman), Curtis Prince (Street Stock), and Mike Burley (4-cyl) won Best Appearing Car awards. 

In the individual categories, Billy Ray Pruitt and Duane Evans won Hard Luck Awards for their on-track misfortunes. Tom Vanderworker, crew chief of Tom Wiest's Sportsman, won the Sonny Grimes Memorial Sportsmanship Award. 4-Cylinder WASP driver, Mike Burley, was named Rookie of the Year. Advantage Trucks was named Sponsor of the Year for their support of the Modified and Late Model Series. 

Dan Hall received a Special Recognition Award for his support and devotion to helping WCIS. Local racing historian and webmaster of www.nyracezone.com, Mark Southcott, was given the Media Award for his website's coverage of WCIS. Infield Coordinator, Joe Horvatis, was given the Employee Dedication Award. The late Butch Drennen was inducted into the WCIS Wall of Fame. His widow, Betty, tearfully accepted the honor while she herself received a standing ovation from the crowd. 

The staff and management of WCIS now look to the upcoming 2005 season with anticipation. The Sunday afternoon racing programs will continue to take place with the season schedule to be released this Winter. 

Source:  Dave Buchanan/Wyoming County International Speedway PR
Posted:  November 28, 2004