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The Night Belongs to the Stars - Drivers Honored at MIS Banquet - 01/25/10 By John Wells
Saturday, January 23, 2010 (Verona, WI)- The Heights Convention Center in Verona, Wisconsin, was the venue for the annual Madison International Speedway banquet which honors the racing accomplishments of the drivers in the five weekly divisions in the 2009 season. A crowd of over 300 gathered for what proved to be a night not only to look back but to look ahead to the 2010 racing season.
Miller Takes Home Second MIS Track Championship -
Jeremy Miller of Rockton, Illinois, was crowned 2009 champion in the Rockweiler Insulation Late Models. For Miller it was his second title at MIS after winning top honors in 2006. Miller, who finished third overall in the ASA National Points championship, totaled 1,154 points at MIS in 2009. This included two feature wins and eight fast times, but it was Miller’s consistency that drew the most attention. Out of sixteen feature events in 2009 Miller finished in the top five fourteen times. Even more impressive is that this came from starting fields that averaged twenty-five cars. “I want to thank Madison International Speedway for the opportunity to race here. I want to thank Gary Rockweiler for sponsoring our division and also my car owners, Tom and Carol Atchison. My crew is great especially when you consider some weeks we’re at the shop four nights not including Friday nights. We had some great sponsors including Joe Hunter and Swiss Colony,” said Miller. “In 2010 Swiss Colony and Joe Hunter will be our car owners so we’re looking forward to this opportunity.” Miller also took the opportunity to thank the sponsors of the other drivers. “Without everyone’s sponsors we wouldn’t have the great field we do every week at
Madison.”
Runner-up honors went to Bobby Wilberg of Beloit, Wisconsin, who had 987 points that included two feature wins, eleven top five finishes, one heat win, and two fast times. “My crew and sponsors make all this possible. We just do the best we can. Congratulations to Jeremy. We’ve raced with you a lot of years and it’s good to see you get the championship. We hope to be back in 2010, but we aren’t sure what we’ll be doing at this time.”
Zack Riddle of Brooklyn, Wisconsin, finished third in the points race with 934 including one feature win and ten top five finishes. Riddle took time to thank his sponsors and all of those who helped him weekly. “I really need to thank everyone who’s helped me especially those who did a lot before we even go to the track. I also want to congratulate Jeremy (Miller) and his crew. They are true champions.” Riddle also announced his plans for 2010 that will find him teaming up with Urban Force Racing.
Mike Storkson, Brad Becker, JD Leonard, Vern Fagerberg Jr., Shaun Scheel, Tyler Kelley, Jason Hicks, Brady Liddle, Nathan Oppliger, Kevin Knuese, John Ovadal Jr., Ryan Goldade, Chad Stevens, Dave Feiler, John Baumeister Jr., and Scott Broughton received point fund checks. A total of sixty-eight drivers earned points in 2009 with eighteen different drivers winning heat races and eleven different drivers winning features- statistics that only reinforce just how competitive this division is and will be in the future.
Rookies and Fan Favorites Honored
Five drivers were recognized as Rookie of the Year in their respective divisions: Brad Becker of Elkhorn, Wisconsin (Late Models), Stephen Scheel (Area Sportsman), Chad Knaus (Hobby Stocks), Lee Haag (Bandits), and Kyle Vergata (Legends).
During the season the fans were able to vote for their favorite drivers with Zack Riddle (Late Models), TJ Goldade (Area Sportsman), Don Fassett (Hobby Stocks), Chester Ace (Bandits), and Max McNamara (Legends).
Promoter’s Announcements
Earlier in the evening MIS General Manager Dave Grueneberg took time to recognize the many track employees who were in attendance. “This wouldn’t be possible without all of your efforts,” said Grueneberg. He also acknowledged all of the sponsors who supported MIS in 2009. “You guys have been great and we appreciate all of you. Some of you have been with us for a lot of years and we value your support of racing at MIS.” Grueneberg also introduced the new marketing manager at MIS, Kelli Kunes. She will be responsible for working with sponsors. “I am really looking forward to working with the sponsors, teams, and fans in 2010,” she noted.
Pete Raskovic of Urban Force Racing was also thanked by Grueneberg for his efforts
in bringing the ASA Educational Series to MIS. “This is a great program and wouldn’t have been possible were it not for the efforts of Pete. We also need to thank you (the teams) for being willing to make this happen for our high school kids.” “There are some really exciting things happening with the ASA Educational Series in 2010 as it expands to a national program. But it all started here and you guys were the pioneers in making this something really special,” said Raskovic.
Track owner Terry Kunes also thanked all of those in attendance for their support of MIS over the years. “You guys are a great group and I just want to thank each and every one of you for supporting this race track.” Kunes also outlined plans for a ticket program for race teams that will attract new fans in 2010. “We want to help you go out and get new fans to this track.”
Jake Roth of Miracle Video did an outstanding job putting together the 2009 highlight video which was shown to those in attendance during the meal and prior to the start of the banquet. The staff from Phast Photos and Phan Cards was also on hand taking pictures. Track chaplain Todd Christopherson gave the invocation at the beginning of the evening.
The 2010 racing season at MIS will once again feature five weekly divisions: Late Models, Area Sportsman, Hobby Stocks, Bandits, and Legends. Two practice sessions will open the year on April 24th and May 1st with the season opener set for Sunday, May 2nd with the ASA Midwest Tour Super Late Models and Sportsman coming to MIS.
For more information on MIS please check out the website at madisoninternationalspeedway.com and sign up for the weekly MIS E-News and join the MIS Facebook page.
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