Bloomington Speedway -- 2006 Awards Banquet
BRISCOE, ROBINSON & HINES HONORED AT BLOOMINGTON SPEEDWAY AWARDS BANQUET
BLOOMINGTON, IN (NOVEMBER 5, 2006) - Last night the Bloomington Convention Center was filled with racers and their fans celebrating the completion of another great season of racing on the red clay of Bloomington Speedway. This was the first time in several years that an awards banquet has bee held; and a poll of those in attendance certainly favored the change. In the past the awards program has been inserted in the final racing programs of the season. It just didn't permit time to celebrate the accomplishments of the season. The time, money, and effort that goes into winning a championship at Bloomington Speedway merits a proper celebration.
Because of a large number cash and contingency sponsors, our racers took home nearly $30,000 in cash and contingency awards. We will all benefit from this next season as the pits should remain full.
As the music began to play, the members of one successful team were courting disaster at home as they stood just outside the convention center discussing the new welder that had been part of their championship loot. It was, they decided, a good thing that the welder could be picked up later as they weren't sure how they would tell their wives that they would have to ride home on top of the van; because the welder would have to be protected from the elements. It is great that the racers present had this time to enjoy each other's company without the demands of competition to hurry the enjoyment of the moment.
The star of the show was Kevin Briscoe. Of course there is nothing new in that. Last night he was honored for his record fifth Bloomington Speedway sprint car feature and a record three straight. As has often happened, Briscoe dominated the competition; but he didn't do it by winning most of the races. He came home first only once. However, he made every feature; and he missed the top five only three times all season. Kevin Briscoe and his car owner/father Richard Briscoe have been hard to beat for as long as they've been racing.
Following the race Kevin commented that this might well being his last championship. His son is now racing; and Kevin will almost certainly have to take some Friday nights off to take care of his duties as a car owner. However, Briscoe will almost certainly make his way to Bloomington Speedway on a fairly regular basis to keep the other guys honest.
Kent Christian was the most improved driver and finished second in the points after finishing tenth the prior season. Kent also had a single win and ten top ten finishes. Christian is a second generation racer who is as popular in the pits as he is in the grandstand.
Arin McIntosh finished 12th in the points and was named Rookie of the Year. Arin was on hand every Friday night; and she seemed to be a little sharper each Friday night than she had been the Friday night before. We can look forward to her making her way into the top ten in points next season.
Kenny Carmichael, Sr. came home third in the points. It marked the fifth consecutive year that he finished fourth or better in the points. Kenny has been due for a track championship at Bloomington Speedway for some time; and you just have to know that he'll get one before long. The question is whether he will get his before his son, Kenny Carmichael, Jr. who finished eleven points and one position behind him in the points.
Bobby Stines scored his first Bloomington Speedway feature win and finished fifth in the points. Jon Sciscoe, Josh Cunningham, Chris Windom, Dickie Gaines, and Jared Fox rounded out the top ten.
Kent Robinson took the O'Neal Wood Products modified championship and Rookie of the Year honors as well. Robinson had one feature win; but he missed the top ten only twice all season. He spoke at length thanking his parents, his crew guys, and everyone who helped him find his way to the championship in the first season.
Ryan Thomas came home sixth in the points after finishing 24th the prior season to earn the "Most Improved" designation. He had nine top five finishes along the way.
John DeMoss was on hand and in amazingly good humor for a racer who had lost the championship by a single point. DeMoss had two feature wins and eleven top five finishes.
Matt Boknecht finished third in the points and fifteen points behind Robinson and had four feature wins. It was the sixth season in a row in which he finished in the top ten in points.
Jeff Bland, Jr., Ray Humphrey, Thomas, Richie Lex, Josh Eads, Clint DeMoss, and Bradley Sterrett rounded out the top ten in points.
In the Tire & Wheel Center super stock division, Jeremy Hines took his first season championship at Bloominton Speedway; and he did it very convincingly. He had five feature wins and only five finishes outside of the top five.
Winston Howe finished fourth in the points after finishing 12th the prior season. He made every feature; and he finished in the top ten twelve times. This was an amazingly good finish in only his third season on the red clay.
Bobby Griffith missed some races but the one in which he participated were good enough to earn him Rookie of the Year honors for the Tire & Wheel Center super stock division.
Joe Lucas would probably have been a lock for the championship except for the fact that Hines was having such an incredible season. Lucas missed only one feature and had twelve top five finishes.
Kevin Arthur finished third in the points trailed by Winston Howe, Jack Frye, Troy Clark, Greg Amick, Greg Kendall, Steve Hollars, and Ben DuBois.
Mike and Judy Miles and the rest of us at Bloomington Speedway would like to thank all of those who supported us this season and pledge to provide an even better program next season. Plan to be with us on April 13, 2007 when we start a new season.