Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Racing on the Radio Awards


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!

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