2007 Record Points Payout - LVS 03/31/08
2007 Season Capped Off with Record Points Payout! By: Rodney Rescott (West Lebanon, NY) - Howard Commander’s legendary Lebanon Valley Speedway put a huge exclamation point on the 2007 racing points season as it pays out the highest weekly points fund in the US, with a total of nearly $100,000.00. The Valley of Speed, entering its 56th season of competition, first had to give its 2007 Champions in all division there due. The annual Points Banquet was again held in the “Club House” located on the grounds of LVS, and again was divided into 2 nights of celebration. On Friday March 28th, the full-fendered divisions got their awards, with the featured Pro Stock Series champion Kevin Arnold taking the lion’s share of the payoff. Arnold’s check totaling nearly $2,400.00 was the highest in LVS Pro Stock history, and was well deserved. Arnold piloted his familiar #76 to 2 wins in 2007, along with 13 top 5’s, and 19 top 10’s in the 20 race schedule. Runner up, Jay Corbin, was close, matching Arnold’s numbers except one less top 10, which made the difference in the final standings. Corbin banked just over $2,000.00, followed by Mike Middleton ($1,970.00), Robbie Speed (1,902.00), and Jay Casey (1,890.00) capping off the top 5 in points. Paul LaRochelle, Jason Casey, Chris Crews, Victor Hopkins, and Rick Dempsey completed the top 10 in the very competitive Pro Stock division point’s standings. The 2007 Limited Pro Stock title went to Nick Hilt, taking 10 wins in just 16 races, along with 15 top 5’s, and 16 top 10’s. Rob Maxon, Dave Colwell, Joe Mennite, and Justin Herron completed the 2007 season in the top 5 in the standings. The Pure Stock class honored Matt Humes as their 2007 title winner, taking 3 wins, 16 top 5’s, and 20 top 10’s. Al Relyea, Jay Casey, Jesse Murphy, and Mike Eichstedt completed 2007 in the top 5 positions. In addition to these awards, there were a few special awards given out throughout the night. The first of the added awards was given to Jay Casey as the Pure Stock Driver of the Year. Robbie Speed was acclaimed as the Pro Stock Driver of the Year. Speed also presented Howard Commander with a photo, from a family member currently station in Iraq, taken with his entire unit around a Checkered Flag from Lebanon Valley Speedway awarded to Speed from one of his 4 regular season wins. The highlight of the night was a touching tribute and honor for racer Jimmy Langenback, as he was voted entrance into the Lebanon Valley Speedway Hall of Fame. Langenback’s career spanned just over 4 decades, as he began racing at the famed High Banks back in 1962! Leganback has raced nearly 15 different classes and has won over 100 races, second only to Kenny Tremont Jr. Jimmy took to the microphone to give honor and mention to nearly 50 individual people that have helped, in some way, his racing career along the way. With the full-fendered divisions honored, the stage was set for the Open Wheeled classes to take to the podium on Saturday March 29th. The first point’s championship couldn’t have come at a better time, as a record breaking payout was awarded to J.R. Heffner as the 2007 Big Block Modified Point Champion. Heffner piloted his A. Colarusso and Sons #74 to victory lane just once in 2007, the last night of points, to lock up his title, and earn him a check of just over $6,200.00 for his efforts. Heffner racked up the points in other ways, by finishing 10 times in the top 5, and 16 times in the top 10. And if that weren’t enough, he also took home the title in the 358 Modified division as well. Andy Bachetti ($5,145.00), Eddie Marshall ($5,124.00), Kenny Tremont ($4,819.00), and Guy Sheldon ($4,635.00) completed the very hard fought top 5 in the point standings. In the Sportsman division, Jeff Watson repeated his 2006 performance, and captured his 2nd Sportsman title. Watson drove his black #22 to 2 victories, along with 11 top 5’s and an amazing 19 top 10’s in 19 races, earning him a check for just over $3,600.00. Kyle Hoffman ($2,970.00), Chris Tryon ($2,966.00), Frank Harper ($2,918.00), and Danny Sanchez ($2,664.00) completed the coveted top 5 in the standings. In addition to the huge payout, there were some additional awards handed out to the open wheeled classes as well. The coveted Modified Rookie of the Year award was given to Ryan Larkin, son of the veteran racer Dickie Larkin. And, lastly, the Jeff Yasinsac “Mr. Excitement” award was given to Kyle Hoffman for his eye-catching performances at the Valley of Speed in 2007. Congratulations to all the teams and drivers for the spectacular accomplishments in 2007! And congratulations to Lebanon Valley Speedway in having the richest weekly points payoff in the nation! For complete 2007 results and final standings; in addition to ticket information, the 2008 schedule, and more, check out our website at www.LebanonValley.com, and click on “Speedway”. Or contact the Speedway Offices during normal business hours at (518) 794-9606, (518) 794-9965. _________________________________________________________________ Watch “Cause Effect,” a show about real people making a real difference. Learn more. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/MTV/?source=text_watchcause