2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly
Series
A NEW ERA FOR SHORT TRACK RACING:
REVITALIZED FORMAT SET FOR NASCAR WHELEN ALL-AMERICAN SERIES
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 4, 2006) – NASCAR’s national short-track program, recently bolstered by the announcement of a new title sponsor, will also feature a renewed and revitalized championship structure and points system heading into the 2007 season.
“It’s a new day for local short track racing, “said George Silbermann, NASCAR’s Managing Director of Racing Operations.
Under the new revamped format the NASCAR WHELEN All-American Series – entering its 26th season – will crown state champions in addition to a national champion.
Here is the rundown of how the series’ champions will be determined:
· The track champions will be determined by local track points. A competitor does not have to be a track champion in order to win a state or national championship.
· State champions will be those competitors who accumulate the most NASCAR points at any NASCAR-sanctioned track within a state or province. Points will not transfer between states, but a competitor may compete for more than one state championship.
· The national champion will be the competitor who accumulates the highest total of NASCAR points: drivers will be able to compete at any NASCAR-sanctioned facility in North America.
“The NASCAR WHELEN All-American Series features the most highly competitive racing in the short track industry,“ said Silbermann, “and having state champions will allow us to recognize more of our talented competitors on a national level then ever before.”
In true NASCAR tradition, each champion will have the opportunity to be recognized at the NASCAR WHELEN All-American Series Banquet held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nev. The national champion will then be honored at the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Awards Ceremony in New York City, recognized as one of the sanctioning body’s eight series champions.
The new simplified point structure will feature an “inverted” point’s format, with car counts affecting the amount of points a competitor receives. Points will be awarded in ascending order with the last place car receiving two points, next-to-last receiving four and will then move up through the field in two point increments. (For example, the feature winner in a 10-car field will
A NEW ERA FOR SHORT TRACK RACING
receive 20 NASCAR points, while the feature winner in a 25-car field would receive 50.) Competitors will count their 18 highest point finishes with a season-ending date of September 30, 2007.
A new national ranking system will also go into place in 2007. Throughout the season the top 500 feature division drivers will be ranked nationally according to their NASCAR points. At the end of the season, each top 500 driver will receive a certificate of recognition from NASCAR displaying their 2007 ranking.
“For the past 25 years, the NASCAR WHELEN All-American Series has been the foundation of our sport as well as the proving ground for stars like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer and Denny Hamlin,” said Silbermann, “and we believe the new title sponsor, championship structure and revised points system will give new life to this series and benefit the drivers, tracks and the future of our industry.”
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 10, 2006) – The countdown continues towards the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Awards Banquet. On the eve of short track racing’s biggest night, rest and relaxation was the order of the day for champions and guests, while NASCAR’s staff put the finishing touches on Saturday night’s production.
Nearly 600 guests will attend the exclusive event at the Mandalay Bay Resort. Saturday’s banquet crowns the national and divisional champions of NASCAR’s grassroots, local racing series. It is also a 25th anniversary celebration, commemorating the series’ founding in 1982. The inaugural national champion, Tom Hearst, of Muscatine, Iowa, arrived Thursday evening and will be a guest of honor as NASCAR recognizes its newest national champion, Philip Morris, of Ruckersville, Va.
On Friday evening, NASCAR President Mike Helton joins the festivities and greets the banquet guests at a reception. On Saturday, hundreds of hours of preparation come to an end in a precisely-timed multi-media production that is one of NASCAR’s biggest awards ceremonies. FOX television personality and Speedway Illustrated executive editor Dick Berggren will serve as the emcee, joined by driver and SPEED commentator Jimmy Spencer.
Hernandez to be Honored With Diversity Driver of the Year Award … Illinois native Peter Hernandez, who competed at California’s Stockton 99 Speedway as part of the NASCAR-supported Drive for Diversity® program, will be recognized for his accomplishments on Saturday. Hernandez will be presented with NASCAR’s Diversity Driver of the Year Award, for his efforts on and off the track. Hernandez posted the best record of the eight Drive for Diversity participants, with three wins, 10 top-five and 12 top-10 finishes at Stockton. NASCAR Senior Vice President Paul Brooks will present the award.
Bliss’ Bunch … Each of the divisional champions invites their family, friends and crew members to enjoy the event. Although Morris has a large contingent to witness his national championship celebration, its Division III champion Mark Bliss who brought the biggest crowd. Bliss, a resident of Arcade, N.Y. who competes at Holland (N.Y.) International Speedway and Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pa., is joined by 40 family members and friends this weekend. It’s no surprise the Bliss bunch has such widespread support – Mark’s brother, Vern, won a NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series championship in 2001 and many of the same crew members helped Mark win this year.
Golf greats … In Thursday’s invitational golf outing, hosted by NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter at the Bali Hai golf course in Las Vegas, Morris and his group had to settle for a runner-up spot. The winning foursome included Mark Bliss, track operators Don Prischak of Lake Erie Speedway and Kenny Shepherd of Altamont Motorsports Park, along with NASCAR’s Kevin Nevalainen.
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 9, 2006) – NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series champions Philip Morris, Joe Kosiski, Mark Bliss and Woody Pitkat enjoyed the first official functions of their big weekend in Las Vegas, beginning with an invitational golf outing on Thursday morning.
Afterwards, the champions refined their speeches, tried on their tuxedos and took in the scene at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort, the site of Saturday night’s awards banquet. The event crowns the series champions and commemorates the 25th year of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. Nearly 600 guests will attend this special event, including NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.
Where stars are born … In tribute to the series’ 25th year, NASCAR and Coastal 181 Publishing teamed up to publish Where Stars Are Born, a book relating the history of NASCAR’s weekly racing program. The 170-page book, written by NASCAR Senior Editor Paul Schaefer, includes dozens of memorable photos and recounts the full history of the series. Each chapter highlights the national champions of each year and many other notable racing personalities. Banquet guests received complimentary copies of the keepsake book and it is available now for purchase at www.coastal181.com.
Crew members and mechanics share spotlight … Saturday’s event isn’t just for drivers. NASCAR and its sponsors recognize many others who play important roles for their teams. Craftsman, the Official Tools of NASCAR, presents the Craftsman Mechanic of the Year awards. This year’s top honorees in that contest – decided by a vote of NASCAR members – include Cliff Lawrence, of Kansas City, Kan., Wilmer Weiss, of Hamburg, Pa., Harold Burton, of Riverhead, N.Y. and Howard Deitz, of Westminster, Vt.
Lunati will recognize the crew chiefs who led Morris, Kosiski, Bliss and Pitkat to their championships. Nathalie, Va.’s Neil Perkins, Morris’ crew chief, will receive $3,900 for the Lunati national champion crew chief award.
Friday’s Functions … On the eve of the awards banquet, track operators will start the day with a trip to Hoover Dam, one of the region’s top visitor attractions. NASCAR President Mike Helton will arrive from Phoenix to attend a reception with all the banquet attendees on Friday evening.
Saturday’s Schedule … Before settling in for a night of gourmet dining and awards presentations, track operators have business to attend to. NASCAR’s Managing Director of Racing Operations George Silbermann and Director of Weekly Racing and Contingency Programs Bob Duvall will host a meeting with all of the track operators on Saturday morning, to discuss plans for the series in 2007 and address critical business issues facing NASCAR’s short tracks.
* Champions arrive at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas
* NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter shares views on short track racing
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 8, 2006) – A sensational silver anniversary celebration is underway for the hometown racing heroes of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.
At the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, nearly 600 guests will enjoy a celebration that rivals the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series awards ceremony in New York City. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France will be on hand – along with many other top NASCAR executives – to crown the champions. FOX and SPEED television personalities Dick Berggren and Jimmy Spencer will emcee the festivities. For local short track racers, it’s a career-defining event.
The guests of honor this year include:
Ø National champion Philip Morris, of Ruckersville, Va., who captured the title with a dramatic victory on the final night of racing in September. It is the second major NASCAR championship for Morris, who also won a regional championship in 2001. He is the third Virginia driver to win the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national championship in the past four years – after Mark McFarland in 2003 and Peyton Sellers in 2005.
Ø Division II champion Joe Kosiski, of Omaha, Neb., who makes his 20th appearance at this series awards banquet. Kosiski, a highly-regarded dirt Late Model driver, was the 1986 national champion and won 16 track championships and four regional titles.
Ø Division III champion Mark Bliss, of Arcade, N.Y., who followed his brother into racing. Mark’s brother, Vern, was a NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series regional champion in 2001. In addition to a successful short track racing career, Bliss is a popular figure in his community, as a youth football and baseball coach.
Ø Division IV champion Woody Pitkat, of Stafford, Conn., who won his title after a successful first season in the Sunoco Modified class at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
On Wednesday, preparations for Saturday’s awards banquet accelerated as champion drivers and VIP guests began to arrive at the Resort. Final speeches were prepared and the lavish stage production was setup in the resort’s South Pacific Ballroom.
The history of this annual banquet began in 1982, when NASCAR organized its sanctioned short tracks into the current Weekly Series format. The inaugural series banquet was held in Daytona Beach, Fla.
In the early 1980s, the event was taken to the next level as NASCAR and its sponsors brought the banquet to the famous Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Over the next two decades years, the event grew in size and stature, becoming a major highlight on the NASCAR calendar. The banquet was held in Orlando, Fla. during the 2000-01 seasons, returned for four more editions in Nashville from 2002-05 and was moved to Las Vegas this year.
Q&A With NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter … One of racing’s top executives is the driving force behind NASCAR’s weekly series. On the eve of the series’ biggest celebration, NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter addressed several key issues facing local short track racing today.
Q: What is the significant of this weekend’s awards banquet?
JIM HUNTER: “This is the 25th anniversary celebration of NASCAR’s weekly program and it’s always been the backbone and the foundation of all NASCAR racing. Drivers and mechanics and sponsors and everyone else has to have a place to start in this sport, and our weekly series is a great place to start. NASCAR’s founders, from Bill France Sr. to Bill France Jr. and Brian France, Mike Helton – everyone at NSCAR is committed to support this foundation of our sport. We’re going to continue to support it.”
Q: How has NASCAR’s weekly series evolved over the last 25 years?
JIM HUNTER: “NASCAR’s been around of course, well over 50 years. But 25 years ago bill France Jr., who was the chairman of NASCAR at the time, wanted to better organize a program for our weekly racers, to help establish a ladder for those competitors who do want to make it to the national level. To better organize the weekly program so young people getting a start there could eventually move up. Over the last 25 years, we’ve had many, many great drivers come out of the weekly program and move on to what is today know as the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series. Drivers like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Ward Burton – there are so many and all these guys had their start a weekly track somewhere. I think speaks very well of the program and that speaks well of the people at the national series lever recognizing talent. As we go forward, this is still going to be the foundation and still going to be a source for the drivers of tomorrow.
The NASCAR short track program has evolved but it has also remained the same great short track racing. There’s noting like it.”
Q: What are some of the challenges facing short track promoters today?
JIM HUNTER: “The biggest challenge facing short track promoters and owners today is to attract spectators to their facilities. And to do that, the entertainment – there is so much entertainment out there today and they are competing with just so much more than they used to compete with. Even in the rural areas of the country today, it’s very easy for someone to find entertainment on the weekends. The challenge for the short track owner is to, number one, have a facility that creates a pleasant experience for a spectator; to run the events in a reasonable amount of time and not keep people there half the night, so to speak; have facilities that you would want to use – I’m talking about restrooms and concessions and things that need to be first-class and done extremely well. With limited resources, that’s a challenge for the tracks. I think there’s a way that they can improve their facilities and make it a very pleasant experience for fans. I think that’s one of the biggest challenges facing short tracks today.”
Q: How will NASCAR support weekly short track racing in the future?
JIM HUNTER: “We have reorganized our regional tours. What was known as the Elite Division just wasn’t getting it done. We’re going to take the resources that we used there and take the many resources that we have in NASCAR, from a marketing, promotional and advertising basis, and roll it into supporting NASCAR’s weekly program. There are going to be some very significant announcements this weekend. The old business model as we’ve known it for NASCAR’s weekly program has just not done what we’ve wanted to do. We’re going to change that business model and we’re going to move forward to do everything we can to make this a very successful program. We’re going to pool those resources and make them available to the tracks who really want to become one of the best short tracks in the country.”
Q: What can NASCAR fans do to support local racing?
JIM HUNTER: “The biggest thing NASCAR fans can do to support local racing is to attend your local NASCAR short track every week. If not every week, at least every week that you can. I think there’s always a lot of discussion about other forms of entertainment, primarily, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series running night races. All other forms of entertainment don’t shut down on Friday or Saturday nights. I can remember years ago when minor league baseball went through the same thing we’re going through today with short tracks – with the preponderance of baseball games that were put on television. Many of the minor league baseball teams said that was just putting them out of business. The good ones are still around today. There again, it goes back to providing a pleasant experience for your customers. With technology like “Tivo” today, the short track fan can attend that local race on a Friday or Saturday night, “Tivo” the Cup race and get the best of both worlds.
“I think it would be a challenge for some of our folks at NASCAR, to include all those short track fans if they’re “Tivo-ing” the Cup race and attending the short track race. There could be a way that the networks which are covering the NEXTEL Cup races to include those viewers. I just think there’s room for everyone in this sport and the more a short track does to make his or her facility a comfortable, exciting, entertaining night at the track – fast moving, the racing will take care of itself. There is nothing better than short track racing.
“I would hope that those 75 million television fans find a NASCAR short track in their area and go to a race next year. They won’t regret it.”
Up next: Golfing get-together Thursday, NASCAR President Mike Helton visits Friday… As preparations continue for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series awards banquet, champions, track operators and special guests will hit the links and enjoy the region’s top attractions. An invitational golf outing will take place at the resort’s scenic 7,002-yard Bali Hai golf course, hosted by NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter. On Thursday evening, drivers and guests will attend a private dinner at the House of Blues restaurant. Friday’s activities include a group outing to Hoover Dam and a welcome reception at night. NASCAR President Mike Helton will take a break from his duties at this week’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race in Phoenix to attend Friday night’s function.
JOE KOSISKI HAS $25,000 NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
CHAMPIONSHIP IN HAND; AWAITS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OUTCOME
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2006) – Joe Kosiski has wrapped up the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II championship but his fate as the next national champion hangs in the balance – nearly 1,100 miles to the East.
Kosiski, of Omaha, Neb., has completed his racing season with the $25,000 NDWS Division II title firmly in hand. After racing full-time at both I-80 Speedway, in Greenwood, Neb., and Adams County Speedway, in Corning, Iowa, Kosiski amassed a combined record of 36 starts, 14 wins, 30 top-five finishes and 31 top-10 finishes. NASCAR’s championship points format ranks drivers based on their best 16 finishes of the season.
The NDWS Division II title is Kosiski’s sixth major NASCAR championship. He won regional championships (which were calculated using a statistical index, prior to the introduction of the current points format in 2005) in 1986, ’92, ’99 and 2000. In addition, Kosiski was the 1986 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion.
Whether he wins a second national championship is, for the moment, out of his hands.
Philip Morris, of Ruckersville, Va., clinched this year’s NDWS Division I championship while racing at Motor Mile Speedway, in Radford, Va. Motor Mile’s season has ended, but Morris has announced plans to compete at Caraway Speedway, in Asheboro, N.C., this Saturday. If he wins at Caraway this weekend, Morris could potentially claim the national title for himself.
If Morris does not win the race, however, the $50,000 national championship will be awarded to Kosiski, making him the second driver in NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series history to win more than one national title. The late Larry Phillips won five national championships during his career (1989 ‘91, ’92, ’95 and ’96).
2006 national championship or not, Kosiski’s record in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series remains one of the greatest of all time. Kosiski has won more than 400 races and 16 track championships since 1985. He finished in the top 10 of the NDWS Regional/Divisional standings on 19 occasions, including 18 consecutive top-10 appearances from 1985-2002.
Kosiski was named one of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series All-Time Top 25 drivers this season, based on a poll of media members and track operators to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the series.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of Sept. 25 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,112 points
2.
Jonathan Bouvrette, St.
Therese, Quebec, Autodrome St. Eustache, 1,068
3.
Chris Spieker, Massena, Iowa,
Adams County Speedway, 1,030
4.
Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove,
Calif., Altamont Motorsports Park, 990
5.
John Blewett III, Howell, N.J.,
Wall Township Speedway, 980
6.
Rick Smith, Georgetown, S.C.,
Myrtle Beach Speedway, 918
7.
Philip Baril Jr., Haverhill,
Mass., Lee USA Speedway, 906
8.
Guy Guibor, Manteca, Calif.,
Stockton 99 Speedway, 902
9.
Craig Von Dohren, Oley, Pa.,
Grandview Speedway, 858
10.
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga.,
Oglethorpe Speedway Park, 834
11.
Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C.,
Concord Motorsport Park, 820
12.
Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex.,
San Antonio Speedway, 782
13.
Terry Dowler, Spruce Grove,
Alberta, Edmonton International Raceway, 782
14.
Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif.,
Shasta Raceway Park, 742
15.
Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y.,
Spencer Speedway, 676
New to the top 15:
None
Dropped out of the top 15:
None
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES FD DIVISION II 09/26/06
Pos Driver Name Home Track Starts Wins T-5 T-10 Points
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Divisional Leaders
1 KOSISKI JOE I-80 SPEEDWAY 16 12 16 16 1,112
2 BOUVRETTE JONATHAN AUTODROME ST. 16 9 15 16 1,068
EUSTACHE
3 SPIEKER CHRIS ADAMS COUNTY 16 5 14 16 1,030
SPEEDWAY
4 BYRD DAVE ALTAMONT MOTORSPORTS 16 6 15 16 990
PARK
5 BLEWETT III JOHN WALL TOWNSHIP 16 6 14 16 980
SPEEDWAY
6 SMITH RICK MYRTLE BEACH 16 11 16 16 918
SPEEDWAY
7 BARIL JR PHILIP LEE USA SPEEDWAY 16 6 13 15 906
8 GUIBOR GUY STOCKTON 99 SPEEDWAY 16 3 11 16 902
9 VON DOHREN CRAIG GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY 16 3 9 11 858
10 RINER SHANE OGLETHORPE SPEEDWAY 16 11 15 16 834
PARK
11 BRAFFORD SHANE CONCORD MOTORSPORT 16 7 16 16 820
PARK
12 ARAMENDIA JOE SAN ANTONIO SPEEDWAY 16 11 15 16 782
13 DOWLER TERRY EDMONTON INTL 16 1 9 16 782
RACEWAY
14 GANNON STEVEN SHASTA RACEWAY PARK 16 8 14 15 742
15 LEATY MIKE SPENCER SPEEDWAY 13 2 11 13 676
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Championship point
standings are subject to NASCAR administrative review and are
preliminary pending confirmation of a member's valid, current NASCAR membership
and license.
JOE KOSISKI TAKES AIM AT HISTORY, NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES
DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP AND POSSIBLE NATIONAL TITLE
Nebraska’s Kosiski and Quebec’s Jonathan Bouvrette to battle for $25,000 Division II crown
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 6, 2006) – In the race for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II championship – and a possible national championship – things could not be looking any better for dirt Late Model star Joe Kosiski.
Over the Labor Day weekend, Kosiski, of Omaha, Neb., took a giant leap forward in his quest to win the championship. Kosiski won last Saturday’s feature race at Adams County Speedway, in Corning, Iowa, and picked up two victories in twin feature races held Sunday at I-80 Speedway, in Greenwood, Neb.
Three wins in three races – coupled with disastrous finishes of 17th and 20th place by his brother and championship rival Ed Kosiski – have placed Joe Kosiski on top of the NDWS Division II standings with 1,110 points (based on his best 16 finishes of the season). To put Kosiski’s record in perspective, the maximum points any driver in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series could ever have is 1,120.
Kosiski leads the NDWS Division II standings and is also the current NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national championship front runner. He has narrowed the NDWS Division II championship field down to just one other driver: Canada’s Jonathan Bouvrette, who races at Autodrome St. Eustache in Quebec. Bouvrette, of St. Therese, Quebec, can overtake Kosiski for the NDWS Division II lead, but only if he wins at least six more races this season.
St. Eustache has eight more NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series races on its schedule. Kosiski, meanwhile, has up to three races remaining, at Adams County Speedway and I-80 Speedway.
Should Kosiski prevail as the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II champion, it carries a $25,000 (U.S.) bonus and would represent his fifth major NASCAR title.
If he also won the national championship, Kosiski would join the late Larry Phillips as the only drivers to repeat as NASCAR’s weekly national champion. In the 25-year history of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, Phillips has been the only driver to win more than one national title. Kosiski’s first championship came 20 years earlier, in 1986, when he raced at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., Adams County Speedway, I-70 Speedway in Odessa, Mo., Eagle Raceway in Lincoln, Neb. and the former Sunset Speedway in Omaha. The other NASCAR champions from that season included Dale Earnhardt in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, Larry Pearson in the NASCAR Busch Series, Jimmy Spencer in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Hershel McGriff in the NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series.
The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national championship is awarded to the Division champion with the highest point total overall, based on their best 16 finishes of the season. The national champion can receive an additional $50,000 (U.S.) bonus for a total of $75,000 in post-season prize money.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of Sept. 5 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,110 points
2.
Jonathan Bouvrette, St. Therese, Quebec, Autodrome
St. Eustache, 1,050
3.
Chris Spieker, Massena, Iowa, Adams County Speedway,
1,014
4.
Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 914
5.
Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 882
6.
Rick Smith, Georgetown, S.C., Myrtle Beach Speedway,
880
7.
Wayne Helliwell Jr., Dracut, Mass., Lee USA
Speedway, 866
8.
John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township
Speedway, 862
9.
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park,
834
10.
Craig Von Dohren, Oley, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 832
11.
Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 814
12.
Terry Dowler, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 714
13.
Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
632
14.
Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 628
15.
Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
602
New to the top 15:
None
Dropped out of the top 15:
None
KOSISKI BROTHERS DEADLOCKED IN NASCAR POINTS RACE AT I-80 SPEEDWAY;
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II CHAMPIONSHIP HANGS IN THE BALANCE
Quebec’s Jonathan Bouvrette has opportunities to seize the lead at St. Eustache
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 30, 2006) – The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II championship has a new look, as defending Division II champion Chris Spieker, of Massena, Iowa, returned to the top of the standings for the first time since winning his title one year ago.
Spieker finished second in last Saturday’s dirt Late Model race at Adams County Speedway, in Corning, Iowa. The result enabled Spieker to take over the NASCAR point lead at Adams County and earned a place on the NDWS Division III leaderboard for the first time this season. He is ranked third behind Joe Kosiski, of Omaha, Neb., and Jonathan Bouvrette, of St. Therese, Quebec. The NDWS Division II champion can win a $25,000 (U.S.) bonus at the end of the season.
Bouvrette competes in the Pro Truck class at Autodrome St. Eustache in Quebec, which held twin feature races last weekend. Bouvrette improved to second place in the NDWS Division II standings after finishing first and second in those events.
Kosiski had an off-weekend at his home track, I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., but spent last Saturday at Adams County Speedway.
Kosiski, the 1986 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion, had no problem maintaining his lead in the NDWS Division II standings, as that overall lead is based on his custody of the NASCAR point lead at I-80. Kosiski didn’t help his cause, however, as he finished 19th at Adams County on Saturday. It was his worst finish since Aug. 27, 2005, which occurred, ironically, at Adams County.
Mathematically, Spieker is not a threat to Kosiski’s NDWS Division II championship bid. Even if Spieker wins all of the remaining Late Model races at Adams County and I-80 Speedway – and gains maximum bonus points – he cannot match Kosiski’s current 1,098 point total.
Kosiski’s closest contender remains his own brother, Ed Kosiski, who resides in Ralston, Neb. and races at Adams County and I-80. Ed is not currently ranked on the NDWS Division II leaderboard but that could change at any time.
The NASCAR point leader at each track is ranked on the NDWS Division II leaderboard. The top 15 drivers in the NDWS Division II standings (representing the NASCAR point leaders at those 15 tracks) will share nearly $140,000 (U.S.) in prize money at the end of the season, with the champion collecting the largest share of $25,000.
Joe Kosiski is ranked by virtue of leading the NASCAR point standings at I-80. A closer look, however, reveals that Joe is actually tied with his brother Ed. Both drivers have 960 NASCAR points at I-80 and Joe is granted the lead because he has won more races this year at I-80.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR … Whichever Kosiski brother comes out on top of this dead-locked NASCAR points race at I-80 Speedway may ultimately determine who wins the NDWS Division II championship.
Bouvrette, meanwhile, is still well in contention to take the NDWS Division II championship back to Quebec. St. Eustache has five more events with twin feature races remaining, giving Bouvrette up to 10 more chances to increase his point total before the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season concludes Oct. 1.
HOW IT WORKS … The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II championship is awarded to the Division II points leader after Oct. 1. Drivers at each track earn NASCAR points in each feature race, along with bonus points depending on the number of cars in each event (10 bonus points per driver in a field of 15-20 cars; 20 bonus points per driver in a field of 21 or more cars).
The NASCAR point leaders from each track are listed in the Division II standings. Once a driver becomes the NASCAR point leader at a track and is ranked in the Division standings, their best 16 finishes – from any tracks in the same Division – are used to determine their point total. The Division champion can win a $25,000 (U.S.) bonus and is eligible for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national championship which includes an additional $50,000 (U.S.) prize. The national championship is awarded to the Division champion with the highest point total overall, based on their best 16 finishes.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of August 29 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,098 points
2.
Jonathan Bouvrette, St. Therese, Quebec, Autodrome
St. Eustache, 1,012
3.
Chris Spieker, Massena, Iowa, Adams County Speedway,
1,000
4.
Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 914
5.
Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 864
6.
John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township
Speedway, 862
7.
Rick Smith, Georgetown, S.C., Myrtle Beach Speedway,
856
8.
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park,
832
9.
Craig Von Dohren, Oley, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 832
10.
Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 792
11.
Wayne Helliwell Jr., Dracut, Mass., Lee USA
Speedway, 748
12.
Terry Dowler, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 714
13.
Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
632
14.
Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
602
15.
Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 580
New to the top 15:
Chris Spieker, Massena, Iowa
Rick Smith, Georgetown, S.C.
Terry Dowler, Spruce Grove, Alberta
Dropped out of the top 15:
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Greg Moir, Spruce Grove, Alberta
2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series statistical leaders, through Aug. 29:
STARTS:
RODNEY COOK, Reidsville, N.C. 39
Donny Reuvers, Dundas, Minn. 33
Bill Leighton Jr., Omaha, Neb. 32
John Allen, Chanute, Kan. 32
Tim Karrick, Basehor, Kan. 32
Tom Charles, Bonner Springs, Kan. 32
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb. 31
John Washburn, Kansas City, Kan. 31
Mike Wallace, Carter Lake, Iowa 31
Scott Koskovich, Omaha, Neb. 31
WINS:
DONNY REUVERS, Dundas, Minn. 15
John Allen, Chanute, Kan. 14
Tim Karrick, Basehor, Kan. 10
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb. 10
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga. 10
Rick Bilderback, Rockton, Ill. 10
Philip Morris, Ruckersville, Va. 9
Frank Deiny Jr., Mechanicsville, Va. 9
Andy Loden, Stanley, N.C. 9
Jonathan Bouvrette, St. Therese, Qc. 8
TOP-FIVE FINISHES:
DONNY REUVERS, Dundas, Minn. 29
Tim Karrick, Basehor, Kan. 27
John Allen, Chanute, Kan. 26
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb. 26
Rodney Cook, Reidsville, N.C. 23
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga. 21
Mark Bliss, Arcade, N.Y. 21
Bryant Goldsmith, Corning, Iowa 20
Brad Brinkley, Sanford, N.C. 19
Frank Deiny Jr., Mechanicsville, Va. 18
Rick Smith, Georgetown, S.C. 18
Randy Porter, Easley, S.C. 18
Andy Eckrich, Ina City, Iowa 18
TOP-10 FINISHES:
RODNEY COOK, Reidsville, N.C. 35
Tim Karrick, Basehor, Kan. 32
Donny Reuvers, Dundas, Minn. 31
Tom Charles, Bonner Springs, Kan. 28
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb. 27
John Allen, Chanute, Kan. 26
Bryant Goldsmith, Corning, Iowa 25
Jamie Hunt, Ashville, Ohio 25
Bill Leighton Jr., Omaha, Neb. 25
Andy Eckrich, Ina City, Iowa 24
Ed Kosiski, Ralston, Neb. 24
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II FIELD NARROWS AS JOE KOSISKI CLOSES IN ON CHAMPIONSHIP
Multiple championship scenarios unfolding as racers compete for $25,000 Division II title
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 23, 2006) – There are only a few drivers remaining with a chance to win the $25,000 (U.S.) NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II championship, but points leader Joe Kosiski isn’t celebrating quite yet.
Kosiski, of Omaha, Neb., leads the NASCAR point standings at two tracks – Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa and I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb. As the NASCAR points leader at both tracks, he’s entitled to two positions in the NDWS Division II standings. Kosiski holds the two positions in the standings, but he is facing some tough competition to keep it that way.
BROTHERLY BATTLE COULD DECIDE CHAMPIONSHIP … At I-80, Kosiski is tied with his brother, Ed Kosiski, in the NASCAR point standings. Joe is designated the leader by virtue of a tiebreaker (more wins), however if Ed, a resident of Ralston, Neb., overtakes Joe in the NASCAR point standings at I-80, Ed would gain a spot on the Division II leaderboard. NASCAR points are awarded in two-point increments, so whichever driver finishes ahead of the other in the next race will be the NASCAR points leader at I-80 – and earn a spot in the top 15 of the NDWS Division II standings.
Based on his best 16 finishes, Ed does not yet have enough points to assume the overall lead in the NDWS Division II standings if Joe maintains his NASCAR points lead at Adams County. For Ed, taking the NASCAR points lead at I-80 would move him one step closer to the crown, however.
The situation at I-80 is unpredictable, but Adams County Speedway represents an opportunity for Joe Kosiski to keep his championship hopes alive, regardless of what happens at I-80. Keeping his NASCAR points lead intact at one of these tracks is the key to Joe Kosiski’s NDWS Division II championship bid.
ST. EUSTACHE STARS ALSO IN THE RUNNING … At Autodrome St. Eustache – one of two Canadian tracks in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series – three drivers are currently in the running for the championship.
Jonathan Bouvrette, of St. Therese, Quebec, leads the NASCAR points at St. Eustache, by a four-point margin over Sebastien Dussault, of Hudson, Quebec. Benoit Juteau, of Ste. Sophie, Quebec, is ranked third at St. Eustache, 42 points behind. The track’s Pro Truck class has eight races remaining, including twin feature races on each of the next four weeks. With that schedule, Bouvrette and Juteau are still eligible to win the NDWS Division II championship, based on their best 16 finishes.
Although Dussault is currently ranked ahead of Juteau in the NASCAR point standings at St. Eustache, as of right now he does not have a mathematical chance of winning the NDWS Division II championship – unless Joe Kosiski is eliminated entirely by losing the point lead at both Adams County and I-80 Speedways. In that case, Dussault could be back in contention, as he could potentially earn enough NASCAR points to win the title if Joe Kosiski was out of the running.
As long as Joe Kosiski maintains his NASCAR point lead at one or both of his home tracks, only Bouvrette and Juteau can contend for the NDWS Division II championship from St. Eustache.
HOW IT WORKS … The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II championship is awarded to the points leader after Oct. 1. Drivers at each track earn NASCAR points until then, along with bonus points depending on the number of cars in each feature race (10 bonus points per driver in a field of 15-20 cars; 20 bonus points per driver in a field of 21 or more cars). In order to establish one representative from each track in the standings, The NASCAR points leaders at each track are ranked. Those drivers are ranked based on their best 16 points finishes of the year, from any tracks within the Division. The Division champion can win a $25,000 (U.S.) bonus and is eligible for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national championship which includes an additional $50,000 (U.S.) prize. The national championship is awarded to the Division champion with the highest point total overall, based on their best 16 finishes.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of August 22 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,098 points
2. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway,
1,098
3. Jonathan Bouvrette, St. Therese, Quebec, Autodrome
St. Eustache, 1,012
4. Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 914
5. Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 864
6. John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township
Speedway, 862
7. Craig Von Dohren, Oley, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 832
8. Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park,
828
9. Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach
Speedway, 822
10. Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 792
11. Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
632
12. Wayne Helliwell Jr., Dracut, Mass., Lee USA Speedway,
632
13. Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
602
14. Greg Moir, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 620
15. Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 532
New to the top 15:
None
Dropped out of the top 15:
None
Important dates:
Sept. 9 – Last NASCAR points race at Adams County Speedway
Sept. 17 – Last NASCAR points race at I-80 Speedway
Oct. 1 – End of NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series season / Last NASCAR points race at Autodrome St. Eustache
Nov. 11 – NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series awards banquet in Las Vegas
Prize money breakdown:
The NDWS Division II champion can win a $25,000 (U.S.) bonus, in addition to any prizes they collect at their home track. The Division II champion is also eligible to win the national championship and an additional $50,000 (U.S.). Although only one driver can claim the title of champion, the rest of the Division II leaders will share in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series point fund awards. The following is a breakdown of the Division III prize money up for grabs this season:
1. $25,000
2. $15,000
3. $12,500
4. $12,000
5. $11,000
6. $8,500
7. $8,000
8. $7,500
9. $7,000
10. $6,500
11. $6,000
12. $5,500
13. $5,000
14. $4,500
15. $4,000
JUTEAU CONTINUES TO CLIMB NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II STANDINGS
* Kosiski, Byrd retain top positions in division
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 8, 2006) – Benoit Juteau continued his climb up the Division II standings this week in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. The Ste. Sophie, Quebec, driver moved from sixth to fourth, with 848 points. At his home track, Autodrome St. Eustache in Quebec, Juteau has scored one win, 11 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes in 13 events.
As Juteau moves up, Joe Kosiski and Dave Byrd continue to lead the NDWS Division II standings. Kosiski of Omaha, Neb., holds both first and second positions with 1,094 points. He is ranked twice in the standings by virtue of leading the NASCAR points at both facilities where he competes – I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park, in Greenwood, Neb., and Adams County Speedway, in Corning, Iowa. He extended that lead slightly with his eighth win of the season, last Saturday at Adams County Speedway.
Byrd, of Pacific Grove, Calif., is ranked third in the NDWS Division II standings with 914 points. In addition to his home track of Altamont Motorsports Park near Tracy, Calif., Byrd has also raced this season at Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif.
A victory by Pete Anderson Jr., on Saturday night at his hometown track of Stockton 99 Speedway was enough to propel him back into the top five of the NDWS Division II standings. Anderson has garnered 836 points – with three wins, 10 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes on the historic quarter-mile paved oval, which is slated to close at the end of the season.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of Aug. 8 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,094
points
2. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway,
1,094
3. Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 914
4. Benoit Juteau, Ste. Sophie, Quebec Autodrome St.
Eustache, 848
5. Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 836
6. Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park,
820
7. Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach
Speedway, 766
8. John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township, N.J.,
738
9. Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, Pa., Grandview Speedway,
712
10. Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 692
11. Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
556
12. Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
542
13. Greg Moir, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 494
14. Wayne Helliwell Jr., Dracut, Maine, Lee USA Speedway,
458
15. Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 438
New to the Top 15:
Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif.
Wayne Helliwell Jr., Dracut, Maine
Dropped out of the Top 15:
Guy Guibor, Manteca, Calif.
Dean Weber, Weare, N.H.
GUY GUIBOR AND BENOIT JUTEAU LAND TOP 10
SPOTS IN
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
STANDINGS
* Kosiski, Byrd, Riner continue to lead NDWS Division II standings
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Aug. 2, 2006) – Two drivers – Guy Guibor, of Manteca, Calif., and Benoit Juteau, of Ste. Sophie, Quebec – made their way this week into the top 10 of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II standings.
For Juteau, who is sixth in the standings with 728 points, it marks a return. He was among the top ranked drivers in the division three weeks ago. Competing at Autodrome St. Eustache in Quebec, he has registered one win and 10 top-five finishes in 12 starts.
Guibor, who moves to seventh in NDWS Division II standings, has taken the NASCAR points lead for the first time at his home track, Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif. He has accumulated 724 points towards the NDWS Division III title – with two wins, eight top-five and 13 top-10 finishes.
Meanwhile, Joe Kosiski, Dave Byrd and Shane Riner continue to hold down the top four spots in the standings this week.
Kosiski, of Omaha, Neb., holds first and second with 1,088 points. He is ranked twice in the standings by virtue of leading the NASCAR points at both facilities where he competes – I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park and Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa. Byrd of Pacific Grove, Calif., is third in the division with 914 points. He has registered six wins and 15 top-five finishes this year – competing in at Altamont Motorsports Park near Tracy, Calif., and Stockton 99 Speedway.
Riner of Guyton, Ga., retained fourth in the NDWS Division II standings this week with 820 points. He has recorded seven wins and 15 top-five finishes.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of Aug. 1 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1.
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,088
points
2. Joe
Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway,
1,088
3. Dave
Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont Motorsports Park, 914
4. Shane
Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park, 820
5. Stuart
Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach Speedway, 766
6. Benoit
Juteau, Ste. Sophie, Quebec Autodrome St. Eustache, 728
7. Guy
Guibor, Manteca, Calif., Stockton 99 Speedway, 724
8. John
Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township, N.J., 690
9. Doug
Manmiller, Wyomissing,
Pa., Grandview Speedway, 650
10. Shane
Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport Park, 644
11. Steven
Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park, 506
12. Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio
Speedway, 494
13. Greg Moir, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 494
14. Dean Weber, Weare, N.H., Lee USA Speedway, 412
15. Mike
Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 382
New to the Top 15:
Benoit Juteau, Ste. Sophie, Quebec
Guy Guibor, Manteca, Calif.
Dropped out of the Top 15:
Jean Francois Bouvrette, St. Jerome, Quebec
Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif.
OGLETHORPE DRIVERS BATTLE FOR TOP FIVE SPOT IN NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
Joe Kosiski and Dave Byrd retain top spots in standings
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 25, 2006) – While Joe Kosiski and Dave Byrd retained the top positions again this week in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II standings, a see-saw battle for a top-five spot has developed between two drivers at Oglethorpe Speedway Park.
Bobby Oglesby and Shane Riner have swapped the NASCAR points lead at the Savannah, Ga., track in recent weeks. Riner, of Guyton, Ga., had the NASCAR points lead at Oglethorpe and therefore held a spot in the NDWS Division II standings early this season. Oglesby, of Bloomingdale, Ga., took command for four weeks, before the pair exchanged the spot back and forth, again.
Riner now leads the NASCAR points at Oglethorpe and is fourth in the NDWS Division II standings with 816 points. He has seven wins and 15 top-five finishes.
Kosiski, a former NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion, continues to hold the top two spots, meanwhile, with 1,080 points. The Omaha, Neb., driver is ranked twice in the standings (first and second) by virtue of leading the NASCAR points at both facilities where he competes – I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park and Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa. Kosiski’s 1,080 point total reflects his best 16 finishes. Kosiski has scored eight wins in 2006.
Byrd, who visited victory lane at Altamont Motorsports Park near Tracy, Calif., on Sunday, is third in the NDWS Division II standings with 914 points. He has registered six wins and 15 top-five finishes this year, competing at Altamont as well as Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of July 25 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1.
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,080
points
2.
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway,
1,080
3.
Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 914
4.
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park,
816
5.
Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 690
6.
Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach
Speedway, 668
7.
John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township, N.J.,
632
8.
Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, Pa., Grandview Speedway,
602
9.
Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 594
10.
Jean Francois Bouvrette, St. Jerome, Quebec
Autodrome St. Eustache, 594
11.
Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
506
12.
Greg Moir, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 494
13.
Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
446
14.
Dean Weber, Weare, N.H., Lee USA Speedway, 412
15.
Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 382
New to the Top 15:
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga.
Greg Moir, Spruce Grove, Alberta
Dropped out of the Top 15:
Bobby Oglesby, Bloomingdale, Ga.
Eric Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alberta
FOUR OF TOP EIGHT DRIVERS CHANGE THIS WEEK IN NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
* Joe Kosiski scores fourth straight victory
* Blewett wins at Wall after close finish at New Hampshire
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 18, 2006) – Four of the top eight drivers were new this week in Division II of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, as Bobby Oglesby, Pete Anderson Jr., Doug Manmiller and Jean Francois Bouvrette made their way into the upper echelon of the rankings.
Although there were many changes in the top 10 this week, one thing remained the same. Former NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion Joe Kosiski continues to hold down the top two spots. The Omaha, Neb., driver is ranked twice in the standings (first and second) by virtue of leading the NASCAR points at both facilities where he competes – I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park and Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa. Kosiski scored his fourth consecutive win at I-80 Speedway on Sunday, giving him eight wins so far in 2006. He leads the standings with 1,070 points.
Oglesby, of Bloomingdale, Ga., returned to fourth in the standings after a one week absence. With a runner-up finish at Oglethorpe Speedway Park over the weekend, he has 800 points – with four wins, 14 top-five and 16 top-10 finishes.
Meanwhile, a wild weekend at New Hampshire International Speedway got better for Modified driver John Blewett III, of Howell, N.J. After a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race that included eight lead changes in the last 20 laps, Blewett emerged as the winner of the New England 100, his third Whelen Modified Tour victory at the 1.058-mile track. Blewett didn’t have time to celebrate as he hastily exited the track for a flight back to New Jersey, for last Saturday night’s NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series race at his home track, Wall Township (N.J.) Speedway. The long haul paid off as Blewett won the Modified feature at Wall, helping him preserve his sixth-place ranking in the NDWS Division III standings.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of July 18 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1.
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,070
points
2. Joe
Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway, 1,070
3. Dave
Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont Motorsports Park, 908
4. Bobby
Oglesby, Bloomingdale, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park, 800
5. Pete
Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99 Speedway, 646
6. John
Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township, N.J., 632
7. Doug
Manmiller, Wyomissing, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 602
8. Jean Fran
Bouvrette, St. Jerome, Quebec Autodrome St. Eustache, 594
9. Stuart
Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach Speedway, 572
10. Shane
Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport Park, 544
11. Steven
Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park, 448
12. Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio
Speedway, 446
13. Eric Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alberta,
Edmonton International Raceway, 442
14. Mike
Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 348
15. Dean
Weber, Weare, N.H., Lee USA Speedway, 302
New to the Top 15:
Bobby Oglesby, Bloomingdale, Ga.
Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif.
Doug Manmiller, Wyomissing, Pa.
Jean Francois Bouvrette, St. Jerome, Quebec
Dropped out of the Top 15:
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga.
Eric Humphries, Chowchilla, Calif.
Benoit Juteau, Ste. Sophie, Quebec
RINER AND HUMPHRIES CHARGE INTO TOP FIVE IN NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 11, 2006) – While Joe Kosiski remains atop the Division II standings of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series this week, Shane Riner and Eric Humphries have charged into the top five.
Riner is fourth in the standings – one spot down from the position he held five weeks ago. The Guyton, Ga., driver – who registered his sixth win of the season over the weekend at Oglethorpe Speedway Park in Savannah, Ga. – has 790 points.
Humphries, of Stockton, Calif., gained fifth in this week’s rankings after taking over the lead in NASCAR points at Stockton 99 Speedway. He has accumulated 592 points – with one win, six top-five and 11 top-10 finishes this season.
Kosiski, meanwhile, remains solidly atop the standings in the first and second positions. The Omaha, Neb., driver is ranked twice in the standings, by virtue of leading the NASCAR points at both facilities where he competes – I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park and Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa. With seven wins this season, the former NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion has accumulated 1,068 points.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of July 11 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1.
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 1,068
points
2.
Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway,
1,068
3.
Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 908
4.
Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park,
790
5.
Eric Humphries, Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 592
6.
John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township, N.J.,
562
7.
Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach
Speedway, 552
8.
Jon Kellner, Lansdale, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 540
9.
Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 494
10.
Benoit Juteau, Ste Sophie, Quebec, Autodrome St.
Eustache, 484
11.
Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
448
12.
Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
398
13.
Eric Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 390
14.
Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 298
15.
Dean Weber, Weare, N.H., Lee USA Speedway, 244
New to the Top 15:
4. Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga.
5. Eric Humphries, Stockton, Calif.
13. Eric Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alberta
Dropped out of the Top 15:
Bobby Oglesby, Bloomingdale, Ga.
Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif.
Fred Whiteman, Edmonton, Alberta
KOSISKI BROTHERS CONTINUE BATTLE FOR TOP SPOT IN NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 20, 2006) – Two brothers from Omaha, Neb. – both former national champions in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series – lead this week’s standings in Division II. Joe Kosiski retained first place, which he has held for four consecutive weeks, while Ed Kosiski moved into second in the rankings.
With a fourth-place finish this past weekend, Joe continues to lead the track standings at Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa – where he competes on Saturdays. He did not do as well, however, at I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood, Neb. – where he races on Sundays. While Joe finished 12th, younger brother Ed finished fourth and took over the NASCAR points lead at I-80.
Joe leads the NDWS Division II standings with two wins and 12 top-five finishes, while accumulating 882 points. Ed trails with 10 top-five finishes and 802 points.
A veteran NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series competitor on the West Coast closed ground on the leaders this week after picking up his second consecutive win. Dave Byrd of Pacific Grove, Calif., scored his second straight and third overall victory in the Western Late Model class at Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, Calif. Byrd – who also competes at Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif. – has 706 points, with four wins and 11 top-five finishes overall this season.
Bobby Oglesby of Bloomingdale, Ga., is fourth in the standings this week with 662 points. Oglesby – who competes in the Late Models at Oglethorpe Speedway Park in Savannah, Ga. – has four wins, 11 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes.
Continuing in the fifth spot in the NDWS Division II rankings is Pete Anderson Jr. of Stockton, Calif., with 480 points. The defending track champion at Stockton 99 Speedway notched his sixth top-five finish of the season last Saturday.
.NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of June 20 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 882
points
2. Ed Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway, 802
3. Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 706
4. Bobby Oglesby, Bloomingdale, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway
Park, 662
5. Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 480
6. Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach
Speedway, 458
7. John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township
Speedway, 450
8. Jon Kellner, Lansdale, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 438
9. Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
398
10. Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 398
11. Benoit Juteau, Ste Sophie, Quebec, Autodrome St.
Eustache, 366
12. Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
348
13. Eric Dowler, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 254
14. Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 116
15. Bryan Kruczek, Newmarket, N.H., Lee USA Speedway, 114
Editor’s Note: NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division championship standings are based on NASCAR points, awarded to all drivers in the top class at each participating track. From Jan.1-Oct. 1, drivers collect points and bonus points (depending on the number of cars competing in a given race). The driver with the most NASCAR points from each track is ranked in the Division standings, based on their best 16 points finishes from any tracks in the Division. For example, Joe Kosiski has 444 NASCAR points to lead all drivers at Adams County Speedway. In addition, he has collected 438 NASCAR points at I-80 Speedway – for a total of 882 points in the NDWS Division II standings. To view complete NASCAR points from each track, visit www.nascarmedia.com and click on “NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.”
For more information, contact:
Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 681-4173 or jdavidson@nascar.co
JOE KOSISKI RETAINS TOP SPOTS IN NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 13, 2006) – It appears that to win the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II championship, competitors will have to first get by Joe Kosiski. The veteran driver from Omaha, Neb., continues to hold the top two spots in the NDWS Division II rankings.
For the second consecutive week, Kosiski is ranked twice in the standings, by virtue of leading the NASCAR points at both facilities where he races – I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park, in Greenwood, Neb., and Adams County Speedway, in Corning, Iowa. Kosiski, the 1986 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion, finished third in Late Model action at Adams County Speedway last Saturday, but finished 12th at I-80 Speedway on Sunday. He has accumulated 770 points, with two wins and 11 top-five finishes.
Two drivers who may soon challenge Kosiski’s dominance in the standings are two tough I-80 Speedway rivals. Leon Zeitner, of Lavista, Neb., and Ed Kosiski, Joe’s younger brother from Ralston, Neb., trail Joe Kosiski in the NASCAR point standings at I-80 by just 10 points. Under NASCAR’s points format, the NASCAR points leader at each track is ranked in the Division standings. Should Zeitner or the younger Kosiski surpass Joe in NASCAR points at I-80, they’d earn a slot on the Division II leaderboard.
Meanwhile, moving into the third spot in this week’s standings with 662 points is Bobby Oglesby – who finished third in the Late Model feature at Oglethorpe Speedway Park in Savannah, Ga., on Saturday. Oglesby, of Bloomingdale, Ga., has four wins, 11 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes this season.
Dave Byrd, of Pacific Grove, Calif., remains fourth in the NDWS Division II standings with 608 points. The veteran West Coast competitor visited victory lane on Sunday, becoming the first driver to score multiple wins this year in Western Late Model action at Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, Calif. Byrd, who also competes at Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif., has an overall record this year of three wins, nine top-five and 10 top-10 finishes.
Drivers are awarded NASCAR points in each event, along with bonus points depending on the number of cars competing in each feature event. If there are 15-20 cars in a race, drivers receive 10 bonus points; if there are 21 or more cars in the field in a given race, drivers receive 20 bonus points apiece. The NASCAR points leader at each track is ranked in the Division standings, which are based on each driver’s best 16 points finishes and can include results from any tracks within the Division.
At the end of the season, the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division champions can win a $25,000 bonus. The Division champion with the highest point total overall is awarded the national championship and an additional $50,000 bonus.
.NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of June 13 (best 16 points finishes)
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 770
points
2. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway, 770
3. Bobby Oglesby, Bloomingdale, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway
Park, 662
4. Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 608
5. Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 438
6. Meme DeSantis, Temple, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 416
7. John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township
Speedway, 392
8. Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 362
9. Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach
Speedway, 358
10. Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
348
11. Steven Gannon, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
348
12. Jean Francois Bouvrette, St. Jerome, Quebec,
Autodrome St. Eustache, 248
13. Fred Whiteman, Edmonton, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 214
14. Phil Baril Jr., Haverhill, Mass., Lee USA Speedway,
60
15. Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer Speedway, 60
JOE KOSISKI DOMINATES TOP SPOTS IN DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 6, 2006) – In looking at this week’s standings in Division II of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, it might appear you’re seeing double. You’re not. It’s just that Joe Kosiski of Omaha, Neb., holds both the first and second spots in the ranking.
Kosiski is ranked twice in the standings, by virtue of leading the NASCAR points at both facilities where he competes – I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park and Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa. In registering two wins and 10 top-five finishes this season, the former NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion has accumulated 656 points.
Shane Riner of Guyton, Ga., is third in the standings this week with 616 points. The Late Model driver at Oglethorpe Speedway Park has four victories and 11 top-five finishes in 12 starts in 2006.
Remaining fourth in the division is Dave Byrd, of Pacific Grove, Calif., with 490 points. With a runner-up finish on Sunday – Byrd now has two wins and seven top-five finishes in Western Late Model competition at Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, Calif.
Moving to fifth in the standings just behind Byrd is Pete Anderson Jr., who leads the NASCAR points at nearby Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif., Anderson, the defending track champion at the historic quarter-mile paved oval, is coming off his first win of the season and has 390 points. In addition to his victory, he has five top-five finishes.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of June 6
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80
Speedway, 656 points
2. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway, 656
3. Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway Park, 616
4. Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont Motorsports Park, 490
5. Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99 Speedway, 390
6. Meme DeSantis, Temple, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 358
7. Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway, 348
8. John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township Speedway, 322
9. Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport Park, 314
10. Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach Speedway, 308
11. Jason Browne, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park, 300
12. Jean Francois Bouvrette, St. Jerome, Quebec, Autodrome St. Eustache, 248
13. Fred Whiteman, Edmonton, Alberta, Edmonton International Raceway, 178
14. Phil Baril Jr., Haverhill, Mass., Lee USA Speedway, 60
15. Mike Leaty, Williamson, N.Y., Spencer
Speedway, 60
SHANE RINER LEADS NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II STANDINGS
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 31, 2006) – With 11 races in the record books in the first 10 weeks of the season, Oglethorpe Speedway Park Late Model driver Shane Riner, of Guyton, Ga., leads the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II point standings. Riner has posted four wins and 10 top-five finishes in 2006, including consecutive top-five finishes in twin feature races held May 12 at Oglethorpe.
Riner’s record has resulted in a total of 572 NASCAR championship points and a 44-point advantage over second-ranked Joe Kosiski, an I-80 Speedway competitor and former NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion from Omaha, Neb. Kosiski also competes at Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa, and by virtue of leading the NASCAR points at both facilities, he is ranked twice in the NDWS Division II standings this week.
West Coast racing veteran Dave Byrd, of Pacific Grove, Calif., is ranked fourth with 432 points. Byrd competes at Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, Calif., a half-mile asphalt track which returned to the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series this season after a brief absence, as well as Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif. Byrd has won at both tracks this season and posted six top-five finishes in eight starts.
NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Division II Leaders as of May 31
Driver, Hometown, Home track, NDWS points
1. Shane Riner, Guyton, Ga., Oglethorpe Speedway
Park, 572 points
2. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., I-80 Speedway, 528
3. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb., Adams County Speedway, 528
4. Dave Byrd, Pacific Grove, Calif., Altamont
Motorsports Park, 432
5. Meme DeSantis, Temple, Pa., Grandview Speedway, 358
6. Pete Anderson Jr., Stockton, Calif., Stockton 99
Speedway, 340
7. John Blewett III, Howell, N.J., Wall Township, N.J.,
322
8. Stuart Ricks, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Myrtle Beach
Speedway, 308
9. Joe Aramendia, Schertz, Tex., San Antonio Speedway,
298
10. Shane Brafford, Concord, N.C., Concord Motorsport
Park, 268
11. Jason Browne, Redding, Calif., Shasta Raceway Park,
264
12. Jean Francois Bouvrette, St. Jerome, Quebec,
Autodrome St. Eustache, 248
13. Greg Moir, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Edmonton
International Raceway, 142
14. Phil Baril Jr., Haverhill, Mass., Lee USA Speedway,
60
For more information, contact:
Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 681-4173 or jdavidson@nascar.com
DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla. (May 10, 2006) – One of America’s premier destinations will
host one of NASCAR’s premier events in 2006. The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series
Awards Banquet will be held Nov. 11 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.
It is the first time this gala celebration, which honors the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion, Division champions, track champions and other special award winners, will be held in Las Vegas in the series 25-year history.
“There is no question that the glamour and excitement of Las Vegas will be a great backdrop for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Awards Banquet,” said Don Hawk, NASCAR’s director of regional racing development. “Our champions and guests will enjoy a spectacular week at one the finest resorts in America."
The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Awards Banquet is one of the largest post-season events hosted annually by NASCAR and attracts nearly 800 guests. Dodge and other participating sponsors will distribute nearly $1.7 million in post-season awards.
Mandalay Bay Resort is tropically themed with lush surroundings. The site's 3,644 rooms and suites include 424 accommodations managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The property also has a House of Blues restaurant, concert hall and more than 100 House of Blues-themed rooms, decorated in the unique style for which House of Blues has become famous.
Mandalay Bay earned the prestigious AAA Four Diamond award and offers three AAA Four Diamond restaurants, Aureole, Fleur de Lys and 3950. The new Mandalay Bay Convention Center, which opened in January 2003, brings the total meeting space to nearly 1.5 million square feet and is the largest convention center on the Las Vegas Strip. Mandalay Bay's brands include: THEhotel, an all-suite hotel featuring 1,117 luxurious one-bedroom suites and Mandalay Place, a collection of 41 unique boutiques and restaurants.
For more information, contact:
Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 681-4173 or
jdavidson@nascar.com
NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES DIVISION II
PREVIEW:
‘98 NATIONAL CHAMPION ED KOSISKI AIMS HIGH IN ‘06
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 17, 2006) – When NASCAR re-structured its championship point system for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series in 2005, drivers at Nebraska’s I-80 Speedway and Iowa’s Adams County Speedway took notice. Under the new format, which continues in 2006, drivers can race at multiple tracks to collect points towards a NASCAR championship.
The two dirt tracks are located about 100 miles apart and feature same type of Super Late Model cars. Adding to the appeal, Adams County hosts its NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series events on Saturday nights while I-80 features Super Late Models on Sundays.
The result is a prime opportunity for area drivers to boost their chances for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Division II and national championships, determined by a points tally of their best 16 finishes of the year. By racing more often, drivers can increase their odds of winning.
Chris Spieker, a 35-year-old Super Late Model driver from Massena, Iowa, took advantage of the system last season and won the $25,000 Division II championship. Spieker, a long-haul truck driver by trade, raced full-time at both tracks. He won the track championship at Adams County and, in the process, collected the most NASCAR points in Division II.
Ed Kosiski, the 1998 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion from Ralston, Neb., was a key rival for Spieker and is expected to contend for the title again. Kosiski plans to run the full season of Sunday races at I-80 Speedway, along with 10 Saturday night races at Adams County.
“That’s what I’m after,” said Kosiski of the Division II title. “The advantage of having two race tracks is that you’ve got double the chances of winning the Division.”
Winning the Division championship carries its own rewards, but also makes one eligible for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national title, which carries a $50,000 bonus. The 60 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series tracks are divided into four Divisions – Division I, II, III or IV. Drivers at each track in each Division race under the same point system and the Division champion with the highest overall point total, based on their best 16 finishes, wins the national championship.
Kosiski missed out on the Division II title last year, by a narrow margin, partially because of engine problems that cost him precious positions and the NASCAR points lead at his home track.
“I feel good about our chances,” said Kosiski. “Our problems were because of some internal engine parts that were bad. We’ve got them fixed and I feel that we’re going to have a good year.”
The incentive to win is even higher for Kosiski, who drives a Dodge-powered car. As the series’ title sponsor, Dodge has posted additional awards for the highest-placing Dodges in the Division standings, in each Division. The top-finishing Dodge driver in each Division can win a $3,000 bonus – and an additional $25,000 if a Dodge driver wins the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national championship.
Peyton Sellers, of Danville, Va., won the 2005 national championship while racing at South Boston (Va.) Speedway. Sellers, 22, was the youngest driver to win the national championship in series history.
Along with Adams County and I-80, other tracks in Division II include Altamont Motorsports Park in Tracy, Calif., Autodrome St. Eustache in St. Eustache, Quebec, Concord (N.C.), Motorsport Park, Edmonton International Raceway in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, Pa., Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H., Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway, Oglethorpe Speedway Park in Savannah, Ga., San Antonio (Tex.) Speedway, Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, Calif., Spencer Speedway in Williamson, N.Y., Stockton 99 Speedway in Stockton, Calif. and Wall Township (N.J.) Speedway.
For More Information, Contact:
Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 681-4173 or jdavidson@nascar.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 11, 2006) – NASCAR honored its top short tracks on Saturday, with its annual NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series “team player” awards. The awards, presented by NASCAR President Mike Helton, recognize outstanding race promotion efforts from the 2005 season and several special categories representing the best in NASCAR short track racing.
The following NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series track operators were presented “team player” awards:
Division I: Fred Turner and Jim Turner, Ace Speedway, Altamahaw, N.C.
Division II: Owners and staff of I-80 Speedway at Nebraska Raceway Park, Greenwood, Neb.
Division III: Doug Greer, Colorado National Speedway, Erie, Colo. and Joe Lewandoski, Lake Erie Speedway, North East, Pa.
Division IV: Red Miley, Motordrome Speedway, Smithton, Pa.
Other special award recipients were:
Best Effort in Membership: Grandview Speedway, Becthelsville, Pa.
Best Advertising: LaCrosse (Wis.) Fairgrounds Speedway
Achievement in Public Relations: LaCrosse (Wis.) Fairgrounds Speedway
Best Sponsor Recognition: Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway
Best Souvenir Program: Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Best Event Hospitality: Raceway Park, Shakopee, Minn.
Top John Award (best restrooms): Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway
Achievement in Community Service: The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Best Concessions: South Boston (Va.) Speedway
Best First Year Track: Edmonton (Alberta) International Raceway
Best Electronic Track Newsletter: Rockford (Ill.) Speedway
Best Existing Facility under New Management: Twin State Speedway, Claremont, N.H.
Best Web Site: Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, Conn.
Jim Hunter “Spirit of Weekly Racing” Award: Steve York, Magic Valley Speedway, Twin Falls, Idaho
Administrative Award of Excellence: Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Scarborough, Maine
NASCAR Award of Excellence: Russell Hackett, Caraway Speedway, Asheboro, N.C.
The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series takes place at more than 60 short tracks – including both asphalt and dirt tracks – across the U.S. and Canada. NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series drivers compete for local prizes and awards, along with NASCAR’s Divisional and National championships and a share of the $1.7 million point fund. The 2006 season is the 25th year for the series, which was founded in 1982. The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series has been the starting point for the careers of many of today’s top NASCAR drivers, including Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Travis Kvapil, Bobby Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Scott Riggs, Elliott Sadler and Brian Vickers.
For More Information, Contact:
Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations, (386) 681-4173 or jdavidson@nascar.com
