Mat Williamson Completes The Mission For First Land Of Legends Points Title
Parrow cops first crown as Sobotka three-peats while Grant and Minutolo go back-to-back
Geneva, NY – January 11, 2025 – On a chilly winter night in the Finger Lakes, Land of Legends Raceway Promoter Paul Cole welcomed his top earning race teams to the annual awards banquet. For the fourth-straight season, Legott’s Club 86 in Geneva, NY played host.
Mat Williamson in Modifieds and Bobby Parrow in 305 Sprint Cars celebrated their first Land of Legends titles while Zach Sobotka earned his third-straight championship in Sportsman. Jimmy Grant in Street Stocks and Marc Minutolo in Hobby Stocks were awarded again after capturing back-to-back full-fender crowns.
Lead track announcer Steven Ovens joined Cole as the master of ceremonies in the celebration of 61 years of motorsports in Canandaigua, also honoring fellow track titlists, as well as a handful of deserving drivers and speedway supporters that shared in receipt of special awards presented throughout the two and a half-hour gala.
The 2019 DIRTcar Northeast Promoter of the Year opened the awards portion of the program with his annual “State of the Speedway” address. With plans for 2025 well underway already and the tentative schedule published on Christmas, Cole shared his thoughts on the sport as a whole.
“I can’t stress to drivers enough how important it is to take advantage of all the tools we provide you to promote your team’s efforts and the support you get from your sponsors,” Cole stated.
“Use the video resources we have available. If you need numbers to share with potential sponsors, reach out to Tana Robinson and she can help you fill in the gaps. Show these sponsors what they can get by you racing in Canandaigua. I’m here to help you, Steven is here to help. We want to make superstars out of our drivers by being seen all over the world through streaming.”
Cole offered that the schedule for 2025 is similar with several tweaks, as he will once again place focus on special events geared toward the divisions that compete at the track weekly. Special events include Super DIRTcar Series shows, DIRTcar Sportsman Series dates, three appearances by CRSA Sprints, two stops for the Empire Street Stock Series, a full fender and vintage race during the Ontario County fair and two Top Gun Shootout Weekends in May and September.
The Fall 2024 Top Gun Shootout events were rained out with planned make up dates to start the 2025 campaign. Other special events include stops by the Vintage cars during the Ontario County Fair in July and for the first time in a long while the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series will compete in Canandaigua at the Land of Legends finale in September.
Cole highlighted the hard work that Rich Yahn and Jamie Friesen put into the track surface this season and the exciting racing it provided our racers and fans. The elimination of implement tires and new guardrail installed by Elderlee, Inc. saw a reduction in caution flags by 50%. This project also improved drainage on that end of the half-mile. Drainage in Turn 3 was an issue in 2024 and Cole noted that there is potential for guardrail to be installed in Turn 3, extending toward Turn 4.
The promoter entering his eighth season at the helm addressed Land of Legends TV, which entertained an average viewing audience in 2024 of over 10,000 fans by continuing the free streaming video model put into place just prior to the 2021 season. The addition of the DIRTVision simulcast of Land of Legends TV on their platform and views on their NFL Red Zone-style “Dirt Zone” broadcasts has taken the racing viewing experience to new heights.
In terms of division sponsorships, Cole offered tokens of appreciation for support in 2024 to Geneva Club Beverage/Pepsi (Modifieds), Stirling Lubricants (Sportsman), MighTea Boba (305 Sprints), Eldredge & Son’s Scrap Recycling (Street Stocks), Lloyd’s Contracting (Hobby Stocks), Maguire Ford of Canandaigua (New Legends Sportsman).
Cole confirmed that prices for both the pits and admission will not be increasing for 2025. Pits will remain $40, while General Admission will remain at $15, $13 for Seniors and Kids under 16 free of charge with paid adult. The new season will bring a new focus on the fan experience and making race night enticing for kids at the track with more fan engagement and Kids Day planned for May 2025.
LOLR GM Tana Robinson organized a fantastic celebration, welcoming drivers, owners, crew members, track officials, corporate partners, family and friends of racing. When it came time for awards and point fund distribution, Williamson took home the lion’s share of the point fund cash and contingencies that rewarded drivers in both open-wheel and full-fender competition during the 2024 season. Top drivers were recognized for their accomplishments with personal interviews and high-speed video highlights further enhancing the annual event for all in attendance.
VP Racing fuel jug and DisBatch Brewing Company “Land of Legends Lager” combo door prizes and ticket/pass giveaways were distributed after dinner.
The Big-Block Modified celebration was unique as champion Williamson was unable to attend — but for good reason. Williamson will tackle the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, OK for the first time starting with practice on Sunday and his Qualifying Night on Tuesday. “Money Mat” will wheel a potent Keith Kunz Motorsports prepared dirt midget. Accepting Williamson’s championship were pit crew members Ray Samuel and Anthony Macri.
“Mat wanted to make sure that we expressed his sincere appreciation for how welcomed we were to the Land of Legends by the track, the racers and the fans,” Macri noted. “The night we wrote off the chassis in the heat, we had Modified guys, Sportsman guys, Sprint Car guys and Street Stock guys over here asking how they could help. We somehow finished sixth that night and if we didn’t get that finish, we wouldn’t be standing here accepting the championship.”
Samuel was honored with Crew Chief/Team of the Year accolades for overseeing the efforts put forth by the Williamson No. 6 team.
Car owner Tim Gibson and Danny Johnson were honored with the track’s “Spirit of Racing” award for what was believed to be their final year as a pairing of the No. 27J. However, Gibson wasn’t as committed to stepping away just yet as other teams chanted in the room “One more year.”
“We haven’t sold or gotten rid of anything, we’re not sure what we are or aren’t doing just yet,” Gibson said.
Sobotka celebrated his third-straight Land of Legends track title with an average finish just over third-place with an average starting position of 13th-place due to the handicap. system in place. Sobotka noted an expected change to his 2025 plans.
“We really liked the sprint car, they are so much fun to drive so we’re not sure just how much Sportsman stuff we will do this year,” Sobotka said.
Based on his comments it is reasonable to believe that fans in Canandaigua can still anticipate seeing Sobotka for both weekly 305 Sprint competition and the three visits by the CRSA Sprints. Sobotka took the checkered flag first at a CRSA event in 2024 but the win was disallowed after not making weight, quickly proving the No. 38 team could be really fun to watch in 2025.
Like a fine wine getting better with age, at 56 winged veteran Parrow collected his first-ever points crown at the revered Ontario County half-miler. His potent #80 Shaw mount backed by Seneca Meadows Inc, Young Agency, Re/Max Revolution and Proctor Enterprises carried the Waterloo warrior to a pair of A-Main victories and 10 Top-5 finishes in 11 events, claiming six qualifying races along the way.
Grant locked up his second straight and third overall Land of Legends Street Stock championship in 2024. Grant claimed seven of eleven features on the year to have the title well in hand come the final points night. The driver of the “Wild Willy’s Special” also captured a home turf win when the Empire Street Stock Series was in town for the Ontario County Fair race.
The charismatic competitor “Mr. Smooth” Minutolo brought the fire in acceptance of his sixth overall track title at the Canandaigua speedplant. Minutolo donned his best sunglasses and megaphone to walk to the stage. For the first time in his career, Minutolo won back-to-back track championships in the Lloyd’s Contracting Hobby Stocks. With five wins, including some gifted in last lap heroics and post-race infractions, Minutolo’s consistency and trips to victory lane helped him best Nate Peckham and Danny Kerrick.
Cole closed out the program by handing out the 2024 Land of Legends Raceway Employee of the Year to head flagger and track utility tool “The Rooster” Scott Hixson. Hixson was celebrated in his contributions to the raceway that far exceed his role as the waver of flags that maintain the safety of all competitors. On race days, Cole leans on Hixson’s knowledge in meteorology to help make informed decisions on cancellations. Cole also noted that Hixson offers his time to help with facility work and upgrades that take place while nobody is watching.
LEGEND LEDGER
Big-Block racer Dalton Martin and 305 Sprint Car driver Alan Buchanan received the track’s Sportsmanship Awards for 2024. Rookies of the Year went to Nick Ventura in Sportsman and Cameron Moss in 305 Sprint Cars.
Torrey Stoughtenger and Blane Smith were the reluctant recipients of the annual ‘Hard Luck’ award after a season where bad luck struck numerous times.
Four ‘Best Appearing Car’ awards were handed out for their sleek-looking schemes. Modified team MCS Motorsports and Alan Johnson were recognized for their 14J Throwback that was a fan-favorite. Johnson was not in attendance as he was inducted into the Eastern Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame Saturday night in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
Peter Britten from the Modifieds, Mike Welch from Street Stocks and Justin Jacoby were also awarded Best Appearing Car this season.
Dillon Paddock was awarded the Land of Legends Raceway “Highlight of the Year” for his victory on July 4th. The victory lane video uploaded to the track’s Facebook page garnered over 10,000 video views, making it the overwhelming choice as Highlight of the Year.
The Land of Legends Raceway fans voted third-generation Modified driver Alex Payne as their Driver of the Year with over 600 fan votes in the final tally. The Driver of the Year program was fan voted to determine the Driver of the Month with each of those drivers being entered into the final contest, sponsored by Turn 5 Media.
Ethan Gray and Parrow also presented a special 305 Sprint Car Ambassador Award to popular pit area fan “Joe Crunch”.
APRIL 26 PRACTICE SESSION LAUNCHES 2025 CAMPAIGN IN CANANDAIGUA
Earmarked with its grand-opening for stock cars in 1953 and now the Ontario Co. Fairgrounds on the brink of staging oval track racing for a 62nd season, the 2025 Land Of Legends Raceway schedule leads off with a day of ‘open’ practice on Sat. April 26. Any type of race car is welcome for the evening event that runs 6:00-9:00pm with pit gates unlocked at 3:30pm and grandstand seating offered free of charge.
The first official race action gets underway on Sat. May 3 when the rescheduled Top Gun Shootout for Street Stocks headlines a fast-paced five-star show of mighty Pepsi Big-Block Modified, Stirling Lubricants Sportsman, 305 Sprint Car and Hobby Stock classes. With the Hobby Stocks finishing off their portion of the Top Gun Shootout the following weekend, New Legends Sportsman make it an even half-dozen on May 10.
Check out www.landoflegendsraceway.com often as further information for the upcoming season will be posted right up to raceday. To discuss marketing opportunities available at the track in 2025, please contact Director of Marketing & Operations/GM Tana Robinson via phone 716-799-5669 or e-mail tana@landoflegendsraceway.com.
2024 Land Of Legends Raceway Point Leaders & Award Winners
Pepsi/Geneva Club Beverage Big-Block Modified: MAT WILLIAMSON-Champion, Peter Britten-2nd, Matt Sheppard-3rd, Alex Payne-4th, Danny Johnson-5th, Justin Haers-6th, Zach Payne & Kevin Root-7th(tie), Alan Johnson-9th, Justin Wright-10th. Driver of the Year – Alex Payne, Sportsmanship – Dalton Martin, Crew Chief/Team of the Year – Ray Samuel/S&W Service Centre-Marin Drywall-Bicknell Racing Products-Williamson Racing #6 Team, Best Appearing Cars – #14J Alan Johnson & #21A Peter Britten, Spirit of Racing – Tim Gibson & Danny Johnson. 2024 feature winners: Williamson (4), Matt Sheppard (3), A.Payne (3), Britten (2), A.Johnson, Pat Ward.
Stirling Lubricants Modified Sportsman: ZACH SOBOTKA-Champion, Nick Root-2nd, Matt Guererri-3rd, Frank Guererri Jr.-4th, James Henry-5th, Tim Lafler-6th, Dave Conant Jr.-7th, Paul Guererri-8th, Kasey Coffey-9th, Karl Comfort-10th. Rookie – Nick Ventura, Hard Luck – Torrey Stoughtenger. 2024 feature winners: Root (3), Sobotka (2), M.Guererri, Lafler, Coffey, Nick Cooper, Kevin Ridley, Tyler Corcoran, Richard Murtaugh III.
MighTea Boba 305 Sprint Car: BOBBY PARROW-Champion, Darryl Ruggles-2nd, Dillon Paddock-3rd, Timmy Lotz-4th, Ethan Gray-5th, Dan Craun-6th, Lance Dusett-7th, Alysha Bay-8th, Randy Years-9th, Matt Rotz-10th. Rookie – Cameron Moss, Sportsmanship – Alan Buchanan, Highlight of the Year – Dillon Paddock. 2024 feature winners: Parrow (2), Ruggles (2), Paddock (2), Johnny Kolosek (2), Lotz, Dusett, Rotz.
Eldredge & Sons Scrap Recycling Street Stock: JIMMY GRANT-Champion, Mike Welch-2nd, C.J. Guererri-3rd, Marc Minutolo-4th, Patrick Hobbs-5th, Chris Woodard-6th, John Burritt-7th, Jared Hill-8th, Ronald “Bundy” Metcalf-9th, Rick Crego-10th. Best Appearing Car – #00 Mike Welch. 2024 feature winners: Grant (7), Welch (2), Guererri, Minutolo.
Lloyd’s Contracting Hobby Stock: MARC MINUTOLO-Champion, Nathan Peckham-2nd, Daniel Kerrick-3rd, Justin Eldredge-4th, Blane Smith-5th, James Werner-6th, Brighton Grant-7th, Justin Jacoby-8th, Eddie Stevens-9th, Dan Korpanty-10th. Hard Luck – Blane Smith, Best Appearing Car – #88 Justin Jacoby. 2024 feature winners: Minutolo (5), Kerrick (3), Eldredge (3), Tyler Burnell.
Maguire Ford of Canandaigua New Legends Sportsman: 2024 main event winners: Chase Spoor (4), Tyler Foster (2), Kyle Ridley, Evan Gray, Justin Sick, Mike Schultz.
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Along with recognizing its weekly 50/50 raffle fund beneficiaries, Land of Legends Raceway is proud to salute several sponsors and corporate partners that continue to help bring its fans the best Saturday night racing show in the Northeast. Listed alphabetically are 2024 division sponsors Eldredge & Sons Scrap Recycling, Lloyd’s Contracting, Maguire Ford of Canandaigua, MighTea Boba, Pepsi Geneva Club Beverage, Stirling Lubricants; event sponsors Auto Value Parts Stores, AMS Enterprises, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Busch Light/Lake Beverage, Cargill, Disbatch Brewing Company, DC Rauscher Contractor, Empire Seneca, Ferris Mowers, Honeoye Auto Parts, Hoselton Auto Mall, Jack Howell Properties, iFreeze Storage & Distribution Center, Labatt/Wright Beverage, LSI Solutions, Maguire Ford of Canandaigua, Pepsi/Geneva Club Beverage, Phelps Cement Products, Prouty’s Bar & Grill, Regional Truck & Trailer, Rushco Gas Company, Ryan Phelps Auto Sales, Seneca Meadows Landfill, Smith Drywall, Tradition Automotive Group, Wilbert’s Premium Auto Parts; promotional partners Always Locked Self Storage, American Woman Designs, Auto Wash Car Wash, Baker’s Exterminating, Champion Power Equipment, Close Racing Supply(CRS), Disbatch Brewing Company, Ed’s Garage/Krown Undercoating of Ransomville, Elab Smokers Boutique, Elderlee, Emerson Oil Company/Castrol, Fox Pest Control, Hoosier Racing Tire, Legott’s Club 86, Mac’s Dairy Bar & Mini Golf, Meyer’s Finger Lakes RV, Mike Emhof Motorsports, Ontario County Fairboard, On The Rocks Bar & Grill, The “Original” Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, Schultz Heating & Cooling, Speed Connection, Stop DWI NYS, Turn 5 Media, US AirForce, VP Racing Fuels, Weedsport Hall of Fame, Wicked Tees.