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NASCAR SJAPS: Anderson Fills His Pockets at Slim Jim All Pro Series Banquet

5 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Nashville, Tenn. - On Sunday night, at the Opryland Hotel, Wildwood, Fla.'s Wayne Anderson took home the lion's share of the post-season awards dollars for the Slim Jim All Pro Series, NASCAR Touring Awards Banquet. The top 20 series drivers divvied up $135,639, including $107,739 from the NASCAR Slim Jim point fund which represented a new series record..

In earning his first career NASCAR Touring Division championship, Anderson, the Jani-King Chevrolet driver, picked up $21,548 from the NASCAR Slim Jim Point Fund, $1,440 and a Hoosier team racing jacket from Hoosier tires, $4,000 from STP and $3,000 from Tosco 76 Racing Fuels. Adding these amounts to his $85,130 in race winnings, the second-generation driver hauled in $115,118.

Anderson's crew chief Augie Grill earned $2,500 from Jasper Engines & Transmissions as he won the season-long battle in that points category over Bill Bigley, Sr., who serves as crew chief for his son and second place points finisher Billy, Jr. Bigley, Sr. nabbed $1,000 for his runnerup finish in this category.

Rookie-of-the-Year honors went to Huntersville, N.C.'s Coy Gibbs as he narrowly edged Mooresville, N.C.'s Rodney Childers for the first-year driver's award. Twelve different drivers battled in this category throughout the year, providing the foundation for the stars of tomorrow in the series.

For the second time in three years Darlington, S.C.'s Hal Goodson paced the points standings in the Gatorade Front Runner Award category. He earned $2,500 from Gatorade as well as securing a beautiful Jeff Hamilton-designed Gatorade Front Runner Award leather jacket.

Statesville, N.C.'s Scott Kilby took home $3,500 as a result of the second-year driver's success in earning Bud Pole Awards in 1999. The Arndt & Herman Windows Chevrolet driver earned three Bud Pole Awards to outdistance five other drivers who each earned two pole positions this season.

The Most Improved Driver Award went to Greer, S.C.'s Steven Howard and the Sportsman of the Year Award went to Higginsville, Mo.'s Keith White.

The coveted Most Popular Driver Award, determined by a vote of NASCAR members, went to Naples, Fla.'s Billy Bigley, Jr., the second place points finisher in 1999.

Over 225 attendees enjoyed the festivities which were held at the Opryland Hotel one night after the season-ending 19th Annual Greased Lightning All American 400 which was run at Nashville Speedway USA.

Additional awards were given out as follows:

Champion Car Owner - Frankie Grill
Champion Crew Chief - Augie Grill
2nd Place Car Owner - Bill Bigley, Sr.
3rd Place Car Owner - Bobby Fain

For those who can open the file a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet is attached with the earnings of the top 20 drivers in 1999.

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.