Even though the points champions are
already crowned and the awards banquet is months away, I figured I’d take the
time to hand out some my own awards to some of the area drivers. These awards,
unfortunately, are not real, and are just for fun.
The first award I’d to like hand
out is for the Top Rookie, and it goes to Luke Johnson, driver of the #8J Mod
4. It’s not his first year racing, but it’s his first year in a Mod 4, and he
has been fantastic all year long. He even has a handful of wins and is near the
top in points. Next is the Hard Charger, the award given to the driver who even
if they start towards the back always seems to find his way to the front. That
award goes to Rich Pavilcek, driver of the #17 Midwest Modified. Starting in
the back is some sort of sick, twisted game for this guy. I think he actually
enjoys the challenge. Pavilcek also wins
the award for best post race celebration for his up against the wall burnouts
at Buffalo River Race Park.
Best Wreck of the Year is a tie
between Chris Shirek’s head over heels Sprint Car flip that sent him flying a
solid 10-15 feet in the air on the front stretch at Norman County Raceway
during the NOSA Sprint Car Special on June 27th, and Ron Saurer’s
nasty tire clipping, barrel roll into the fence at I94 Speedway in Fergus Falls
on August 9th. The Saurer crash is on the internet. Just search “Ron
Saurer” on YouTube and see for yourself.
I’ve seen a lot of fantastic
battles throughout the summer, but the Best Race of the Year goes to Austin
Arnenson and Cody Skytland during the Sander’s Modifed Challenge at NCR on
August 15th. For the final 20 laps, the two U-Motors teammates
battled literally door to door, swapping positions back and forth for remainder
of the race. Skytland would eventually cross the finish line first. I’d also
like to nominate Austin Arnenon, along his little brother Casey and pit road
neighbor Bryce Borgen for the Three Stooges Award. Those three amigos are
seriously the biggest goofballs in the pits. Bryce will also go home with the
award for the Top Moment of 2013 for ridding his curse and winning his first
race at NCR earlier this summer. I could send him an actual award, but I think
the standing ovation he received after the race will last longer than any
trophy will.
And my final award will be for the
Drivers of the Year. This award goes to the drivers who are not only wicked
fast, but also show good sportsmanship and promote the sport in a positive way.
It was hard to give it just one, so I’d like to give to two: Brad Seng and
Tyler Peterson. Peterson is a very mature driver for his age, and has been a
dominant force in his Midwest Modified. He shows a great compassion for the
sport and his younger fans. Brad Seng is a class act. He’s an honest
individual, a fantastic racer, and a great promoter of the sport. Not to
mention he won the John Seitz Memorial race..which is kind of a big deal.
That wraps up the first ever Racing
on the Radio Awards Ceremony. Feel free to comment with your own as well!
