BURLINGTON, Iowa (Nov. 7) - When I was a staff member at Hawkeye Racing News, we were in search of a catchy title for the numerous banquet photos we ran every year. Since banquet time always seemed to hit just prior to the holidays, we settled on "Celebrate the Season" atop the photo spreads we ran in the "off-season" issues. It served to encompass the approaching fall and winter holidays, as well as to recognize all of the drivers for their accomplishments throughout the course of the season. Pretty cool, huh?
To lead up to the Thanksgiving holiday later this month, I started a three week stretch of banquets with a visit to Catfish Bend Casino in Burlington for the Sprint Invaders awards ceremony this past Saturday night.
The top 14 in series points were presented awards, starting with 14th place Donnie Steward and culminating by awarding Bobby Mincer the series championship. To qualify for the season-ending hardware, the drivers were required to compete in a minimum of 12 of 16 series events. Final driver standings were as follows:
1. 15 Bobby Mincer
2. 51J Ryan Jamison
3. 29 Matt Rogerson
4. Y2 Mike Houseman, Jr.
5. 99 Jimmy Davies
6. 53H Matt Harms
7. 84 Ben Wagoner
8. 80X CJ Houseman
9. 4J Justin Parrish
10. 14P Kaley Gharst
11. 40 Andy Huston
12. 29X Russ Hall
13. 3 Matt Sutton
14. 16HD Donnie Steward
The top 14 car owners were also awarded trophies based on points earned. Those standings included:
1. 15 Bobby Mincer
2. 51J Terry Jamison
3. 29 JKG Motorsports
4. 14P Randy Plath
5. Y2 Mike Waddell
6. 99 Jimmy Davies
7. 53H Dave Harms
8. 84 Brian Wagoner
9. 80X CJ Houseman
10. 4J Justin Parrish
11. 3 GRIT Motorsports
12. 40 Andy Huston
13. 29X Russ Hall
14. 16HD Heartland Harley-Davidson
A number of things impressed me throughout the course of the evening. Not only was there nearly perfect attendance (27/28 and far too uncommon for most banquets) for all drivers and car owners receiving awards, but they were all given the opportunity to speak when given their awards. At many banquets I've been to through the years (and I've been to a lot of them), keeping things "on schedule" seems to be more important than giving the participants their due. Not only were all recipients given the chance to speak, but everyone took advantage of the opportunity.
In racing, we always talk about the "family" aspect of the sport and how we get to know fellow competitors, crews and fans. What was evident on Saturday night more than I've noticed at any other awards ceremony was that these guys and ladies meant every word they said. The theme repeated itself throughout the night. From the first trophy presentation to the last, everyone expressed their gratitude for everyone involved in the series. From fellow competitors to car owners, and even track officials and series personnel, there was a sense of pride to be a part of an organization that I'd never seen before. The respect the Sprint Invaders drivers have for each other was evident and mentioned with nearly every award presentation.
This was reinforced when the awards didn't stop at points and on-track successes. Along with awarding Ben Wagoner as the series' rookie of the year and Ryan Jamison the hard charger, a number of special awards were handed out. Justin Parrish took home the Kevin Doty Memorial Perseverance Award, presented by Doty's son. In addition to inductions into the Sprint Invaders Hall of Fame and "gag gift" awards for best and worst draws for the season, a series of special awards were presented to close the night.
A number of individuals were presented with hardware based on voting by their peers, all registered members of the Sprint Invaders. While championships and points trophies are great to earn based on your team's hard work, it was fantastic to see additional recognition given by fellow competitors and members. To some degree, I'd think these types of awards would mean more.
Although he finished 10th in points for the season, Kaley Gharst earned the Brian Hetrick Memorial Driver of the Year Award. Prior commitments prevented Gharst from running a full schedule, however his successes this season earned him the respect of his peers to warrant DoY honor. The 14P team must have made a profound impact on the series members this year as they also took the Rich DeReu Memorial Owner of the Year and Walter Rockhold Memorial Automotive Machine Mechanic of the Year Awards.
The Galen "Shep" Shepherd Memorial Crew Member of the Year Award went to former sprinter Mike Houseman Sr. and the Gary T. Williams Snap-On Tools Hard Luck Award went to Mike Houseman Jr. for the burns he received in a crash earlier in the season. Houseman Sr. hinted that he may still have some laps left as he stated he's been considering a return to the race track to do more than wrench on the cars.
Series official Jeff Campbell, who I had the pleasure of sitting with at the banquet, was genuinely shocked and humbled at being recognized as the Bud Taeger Official of the Year Award winner.
While the awards were handed out over the course of two hours, it was well-deserved that everyone involved had their chance to express their thanks for the series and its members. Most notably was Mike Houseman Jr., who thanked the Sprint Invaders organization for its help with his medical bills after the fiery crash that left him with severe burns earlier this season. A benevolent society, the Sprint Invaders does more than organize races for drivers and fans. It supports its members financially during times of need. Houseman stated he had upwards of $20,000 in medical bills and, with the help of fund raising efforts throughout the season already established at its events, Sprint Invaders was able to assist Houseman with those financial struggles.
One other major announcement prior to the evening's events came from Lee County Speedway promoter Tery Hoening. Hoenig addressed differences he and the Sprint Invaders have had in recent years, resulting in the series being removed from the Lee County schedule. Hoenig stated both parties have put their differences aside and annoounced three dates will be on the 2010 series schedule at Lee County Speedway. Among those will be a June hospitality race, the July fair race and the series championship in September.
Also in attendance was a representative from Dirt, Dust and Speed, who followed the Sprint Invaders throughout the season, stopping at nearly half of the series events in 2009. They are working on a video to highlight the season and offered a four-minute teaser of the viseo they're putting together. They plan to have the full-length video available in the coming months. If the final product is as nice as the clip they offered at the banquet, sprint fans in the area will want to get their hands on a copy.
In closing, I think I speak for everyone in attendance when I extend my thanks to Matt Rogerson. Matt single-handedly entertained the crowd throughout the evening with his witty (not-so-sober) banter and quick one-liners. From a gag gift parking ticket award for fellow sprinter Russ Hall to start the evening, his little dance(?) displaying his "designer jeans" partway through the night, to lobbying for a ride for 2010, Matt made it a night not many will soon forget. If a car owner doesn't come through for 2010, you definitely have a career in stand-up comedy if Ron White decides to call it quits, Matt!
Thanks to the entire Sprint Invaders crew for a great night! Up next,
I'll dust off a suit for the awards banquet at Independence Motor Speedway this Saturday night followed by the 34 Raceway banquet on November 21.
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