Champions Honored at Thompson’s Annual Awards Banquets
Thompson, CT — Six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track champions were honored over the weekend at the Thompson International Speedway’s annual awards banquets. It took two evenings to pay tribute to all of the champions as well as racers who finished in the top ten in the points standings in their 2010 racing divisions.
Ted Christopher claimed his third Sunoco Modified title in the past ten years by winning an amazing ten feature event races during the 2010 racing season. Also honored during the Saturday night gala was Late Model division champion, Rick Gentes and Thompson Modified division titlist, R. J. Marcotte.
The Friday night program honored 2010 Super Late Model division standout, Derek Ramstrom, who won the title for the second year in a row. For the fourth time in ten years, the Limited Sportsman title went to Larry Barnett and the Mini Stock championship awards went to Chuck Rogers.
Each division champion received huge trophies for both the car owner and driver from Thompson International Speedway. They also received special awards from NASCAR, a beautiful champion’s jacket from Dave Lind Racing and a photo montage depicting their championship seasons from track photographers Scott and Trevor Nickel.
Honoring the champions was the highlight of both evenings, but many, many more competitors were recognized for their efforts. The top ten in each of Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions were presented with awards. Additional recognition went to the Most Improved driver and the Rookie of the Year in each division. Other special awards were presented to both competitors and non-competitors alike.
The coveted John Hoenig Memorial award for special dedication to the Speedway, it’s staff and competitors went to Press Box Coordinator, Dale Wolbrink for her many years of service and her incredible contributions to so many in the Thompson racing family.
Rookie of the Year awards were presented to Sunoco Modified racer, Dave Salzarulo. The Super Late Model Rookie of the year award went to Scott Rutherforth. Ryan Waterman claimed that award in the Late Model division and it was Ryan Morgan so honored in the Thompson Modified Division. The Rookie of the Year in the Limited Sportsman division was Art Moran III and Mini Stock Rookie honors went to Dwayne Dorr.
The Most Improved Driver awards were presented to Sunoco Modified competitor, John Catania. The Most Improved award in the Super Late Model division was won by Larry Gelinas. Wayne Coury Sr. gained the Most Improved honors in the Late Model division. John Studley secured the award in the Thompson Modified division. Limited Sportsman driver, Joe Coates and Mini Stock competitor, Mike Viens claiming the Most Improved awards in their divisions.
Following a cocktail hour, dinner and the awards presentations, competitors, friends and families enjoyed a very special social evening of dancing, “bench racing” conversation and fun. Everyone was reminded that the track will open for practice on Saturday, March 26th and again on Saturday, April 2nd in preparation for the April 9th & 10 running of the season-opening Icebreaker.
SUNOCO MODIFIEDS FINAL 2010 POINT STANDINS (TOP TEN): 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2.Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 3. Ronnie Silk, Calverton, NY; 4.Tim Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 5. 5. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA; 6.Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 7.David Salzarulo, Monson, MA; 8. Keith Rocco, Meriden, CT; 9. Andy Gasper, Andover, CT; 10. (tie)Carl Obreg, Sutton, MA and Henry Stampfl, Norwood, MA.
SUPER LATE MODELS FINAL 2010 POINT STANDINGS (TOP TEN): 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 3. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 4. James Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 5. Daryl Stampfl, Norwood, MA; 6. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 7. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 8. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 9. Rick Fuller, Auburn, MA; 10. Dave Silvia, Warwick, RI.
LATE MODEL FINAL 2010 POINT STANDINGS (TOP TEN): 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 3. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 4. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 5. Mark Jennison, Warwick, RI; 6. John Falconi, Oakham, MA; 7. Jeff Hartwell, East Putnam, CT; 8. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 9. Randy Waterman, Danielson, CT; 10. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT.
THOMPSON MODIFIED FINAL POINT STANDINGS (TOP TEN): 1. R. J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 2. Keith “Cam” McDermott, Scituate, RI; 3. Shane Michalski, Woodstock, CT; 4. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 5.John Studley, Framingham, MA; 6. Ryan Morgan, Mystic, CT; 7. Jason Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 8. Denis Legere, N. Redding, MA; 9. Tyler Poulin, Pascoag, RI; 10. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT.
LIMITED SPORTSMAN FINAL 2010 POINT STANDINGS (TOP TEN): 1. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 2. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 3. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 4. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 5. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 6. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 7. Paul Coutu, Thompson, CT; 8. Scott Fanning, Mapleville, RI; 9. Joe Coates, Eastford, CT; 10. (Tie) Chris Douton, Waterford, CT & Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA.
MINI STOCK FINAL 2010 POINT STANDINGS (TOP TEN): 1. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 2. Dwayne Dorr, Ledyard, CT; 3. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 4. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI; 5. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 6. Lloyd Anderson, Wauregan, CT; 7. Leo Defevers, 8. Mike Gorgievski, Auburn, MA; 9. Roger Ducharme, Foster, RI, 10. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI.
Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR