Thompson Speedway Announces Awards Banquet Date
THOMPSON, CT — The Thompson Speedway has announced that the 2013 NASCAR All-American Series awards banquet will be held on Friday, November 29th. All of Thompson’s five NWAAS divisions will be honored that night with awards going to competitors that finished in the top ten in each division’s final standings.
Topping the list will be the NASCAR Division 1 Sunoco Modified champion Keith Rocco. The 2013 championship is his fourth Thompson division title. He previously won the crown in 2007, 2009 and again in 2011. Multi-time Late Model champ Rick Gentes will receive his fifth Thompson championship award. Gentes is one of only three drivers to attain five track championships. He won titles in 1996, 1997, 2007, 2010 and again in 2013.
Keith “Cam” McDermott will be honored as a three time champion. McDermott won his first crown in the Thompson Modified division in 2011 and then went on to win back-to-back championships in the Lite Modified division in 2012 and 2013. Steve Kenneway, The Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman winner, claimed his first championship in 2013. Kenneway bested a huge field of Limited Sportsman competitors to gain the top spot. He is he only first time winner of a division championship that will be honored at this year’s Thompson banquet. Eric Bourgeois will receive his second division championship in the Monster Mini Stock division. Bourgeois claimed his first title back in 2004 and returned to the top spot this year.
In addition to honoring the top ten race teams in each racing division, special awards will also be presented. A Most Improved driver award will be given to a driver in each division as will a Rookie of the Year award. Chief Starter Tim Bennett will make presentations to drivers that he feels best represent the sport in their on-track performances and the coveted John Hoenig Memorial Award will be presented to an employee who best shows devotion and dedication to the track that John Hoenig built and opened back in 1940.
The gala evening will include dinner, awards and dancing. Tickets for the annual Thompson Speedway NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banquet will be limited in number and will be available for purchase shortly after the completion of the World Series of Speedway Racing event.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR