Saturday, Nov 5th, 2011 - Annual ISMA Awards Banquet -
Turning Stone Casino
2011 ISMA
Owners Champion is Vic Miller, taking his seventh title.
Presenting Vic with trophy, plaque and jacket for his
accomplishment is ISMA president, Howie Lane. - Photo By Jim
Feeney
29TH ANNUAL ISMA AWARDS
BANQUET HELD NOVEMBER 5TH
By Carol Haynes, ISMA PR
Verona, NY – The Turning
Stone Casino Cypress Room served as the backdrop for the 29th
annual ISMA Awards banquet Saturday night, November 5th
with many being honors for their 2011 achievements. Anne
Schaefer, ISMA Auxiliary chairperson, served as Master of
Ceremonies and after the awards, Ron Gray’s Millennium Music
provided the music.
The top 20 owners and
drivers in the final point standings received plaques and
checks to start off the ceremonies. The 2011 Car Owner
champion Vic Miller and the 2011 Driver champion Russ Wood
were presented trophies and a jacket denoting their titles.
The Driver Point Fund sponsors were recognized by Kathy
Harrington, who spearheads the endeavor.
The Slice n Go Deli
Mechanic of the Year $500 check and jacket went to a very
deserving Rich Witkum Jr. who helped driver Jeff Locke pilot
the 37 car to a fifth place in the standings.
The Randy Witkum
Memorial Rookie of the Year award, sponsored by EF Shea
Concrete, went to Dan Bowes who had a successful inaugural
year finishing 13th in the standings with his 18
super.
The Most Improved Driver
plaque went to 2010 Rookie of the Year Joey Scanlon who
drove the Budnick 88 to a 12th place position in
points. Car owner Budnick, who had announced his retirement
at the end of this season, was also honored with a Special
Recognition award for his longtime support of the ISMA
organization. He also won the BS&B Radiator by luck of the
draw. Budnick deservedly capped off the night by taking home
the Jim Soule Award as presented by Dan Soule.
The Gater Racing News
Fan’s Choice Most Popular Driver went to Canadian Mike
Lichty, third place finisher in the ISMA point, as voted on
by the fans.
Eddie Witkum Jr., driver
of the Lane 97, took home a new helmet courtesy of Seymour
Enterprises while 8-time ISMA champion Russ Wood claimed the
2011 Achievement award.
The Vic Miller number 11
crew was honors as 2011 Crew of the Year receiving shirts
from sponsor Race Threads.
Marsha Gadzera won the
Lois Matczak Memorial award and was also voted in as the new
ISMA Vice President. Marsha and her husband Tony surprised
Carol Haynes and Jim Feeney with beautiful watches in
recognition for their longtime association with ISMA.
And last but not least,
Tony Sammut, father of Mark Sammut, won the coveted Jim
Shampine award for his efforts on his son’s 78 supermodified.
A host of excellent door
prizes were taken home by many lucky winners thanks to
Burke’s Home Center Eagle Beverage, Gater Racing News,
Kathy Harrington, the ISMA Novelty trailer Tony and Marsha
Gadzera, Essex Seafood, Jerry and Mary Lou Kritzman, Miller
Racing 11, Mitchell’s Speedway Press, Murray’s Transmission,
Oswego Speedway, PATCO Transportation, Racing Against
Cancer, Bud and Barb Skinner, Turning Stone and Woody’s
Automotive.
Earlier in the day, at
the General Membership meeting, Howie Lane discussed a
tentative 13- event 2012 ISMA schedule and Race Director
Jerry Kritzman noted only one rule change that would become
effective next season.
The ISMA Auxiliary were
applauded for helping make the banquet a success.
ISMA Banquet Photos… by Jim Feeney:
Twentieth through second in 2011 ISMA
Owner’s points are presented checks and plaques for this seasons
effort. Not all owners were present. - Photo by Jim Feeney
The
Driver Point fund sponsors were presented plaques in thanks
for their help. Pictured, from left, Deb Lane, Howie Lane,
Carol Haynes, Kathy Harrington, Ann Schaefer, Marsha Gadzera
and Tony Gadzera. - Photo by Jim Feeney
Twentieth
through second in 2011 ISMA Driver’s points are awarded
checks and plaques for their effort. Not all drivers were
present. - Photo by Jim Feeney
2011 ISMA
Drivers Champion is Russ Wood, for the second year in a row
and eighth title overall. Howie Lane presented Russ with the
jacket and hardware for the Championship. - Photo by Jim
Feeney
The 2011
ISMA Mechanic of the Year Award was presented to Rich Witkum,
of the Locke #37 team. Giving the award are Sue and Dennis
Heppell. - Photo by Jim Feeney
2011
Randy Witkum Memorial ISMA Rookie of the Year went to Dan
Bowes. 2010 rookie, Joey Scanlon (right) presented the
award.- Photo by Jim Feeney
2011 ISMA Most Improved Driver Award was
presented to Joey Scanlon by Jerry Kritzman (right). - Photo by Jim
Feeney
ISMA Support Award for 2011 went to Ed
Shea. Mark Burns accepted the Award in Ed’s behalf. - Photo by
Jim Feeney
Bruce
Budnick was given a Special Recognition Award for his many
years of support and dedication to ISMA. Bruce has retired
as a car owner, at the end of this season. Howie Lane
presented the award. -
Photo by Jim Feeney
Bruce
Budnick was also recognized by the Ladies Auxiliary for his
long support of ISMA. -
Photo by Jim Feeney
The 2011
Fan’s Choice Most Popular Driver Award, sponsored by Gater
Racing News, went to Mike Lichty. Giving the award is Gater
columnist, Carol Haynes.
- Photo by Jim Feeney
Russ Wood
received the 2011 ISMA Achievement Award after winning his
eighth drivers title. Presenting is Bud Skinner (right).
- Photo by Jim Feeney
The Race
Threads 2011 Crew of the Year Award was given to the Vic
Miller #11 crew. They were all presented t-shirts to
commemorate the award. -
Photo by Jim Feeney
The 2011
Lois Matczak Memorial Award, going to a woman of ISMA, was
given to Marsha Gadzera. Presenting is last year’s winner
Delores Murphy (left). -
Photo by Jim Feeney
The 2011
Jim Soule Dedication Award was given to Bruce Budnick for
his many years as a car owner in ISMA. Dan Soule (left)
presented the award.
- Photo by Jim Feeney
The 2011 Jim Shampine Award went to Tony
Sammut. Giving the award is Dennis Heppell (right). - Photo by Jim
Feeney
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More 2011 Race Results and
Photos
