With the completion of the 2009 racing season at Junction Motor Speedway, honors and awards were presented for the many JMS drivers on December 12, 2009. The York Holiday Inn Convention Center held the banquet where there was wonderful food provided by Angela Spencer, Banquet Manger; Zach Oseurm; Crystal McKillip, Applebee's General Manger; Debbie Dumpert, Banquet Sales-Coordinator; Rhonda and Rich Baines, bartending; with the Holiday Inn Banquet staff cooking and catering. Favorably, Holiday Inn also provided hotel rooms for the points Champions of each division. Beautiful flowers were the centerpiece of each table, provided by Debbie Dumpert, which represented the memory of Barb Nunnenkamp, Manager of JMS in the time of 2003 to 2008.
There were many door prizes given out throughout the night which were sponsored and donated from many area businesses. Action Images, owned by Photographer, Jerry Jacobs, created the JMS driver cards that were placed on every table. Each card had information about the Points Champions in each division. Pictures at the banquet were taken by Jon Pedersen, the official JMS Photographer. Trophies and plaques were provided by NASCAR, Inc. and Crossroads Awards in York, Nebraska.
Special guests that were in attendance were NAPA owners from Sutton, Nebraska; Randy, Kathy, and Micah Veleba for Sutton Auto Supply. They were also in representation of other NAPA businesses that sponsored the NASCAR Stock Car and NASCAR Hobby Stocks divisions. Those stores included; Action Auto Supply in Geneva, Action Auto Supply in Hebron, Action Auto Supply in Fairbury, Beck's Auto Parts in Edgar, Rasmussen NAPA in York, and the NAPA Distribution Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
General Motors and GM Performance Parts were represented by Jim Miller, the Wholesale Parts District Manager of Kansas City, KS and Grant Lindsey of Dallas, TX. They were proud sponsors of the NASCAR Late Models for the 2009 season and handed out $4,500 in contingency awards for crate engine feature winners and other crate late model engine participants at Junction Motor Speedway. Winners of these contingency awards were, Bill Leighton Jr- $500, Matt Buller- $900, Tom Svoboda- $400, Andrew Kosiski - $700, Clint Benson -$400, Mike Wallace- $300, Lester Siebert - $200, Ray Baughn - $200, Andy Wilkinson -$200, Al Humphrey- $100, Randy Hall -$400, and Mike Svagera- $100.
The awards presentation began with the Four Cylinder Division which the Track Owner, Delmar Friesen, honored each driver who was top ten in point's standings. Beginning with tenth place was Jarrod Aspegren, Lance Hiebner (9), Sheldon Sandall (8), Charles Wergin (7), Bill Wiarda (6), Chad Carlson (5), Josh Aspegren (4), and Rodney Nosker (3). Runner-up was the 2009 Rookie of the Year- Mallet Meyer, with Cale Wiarda from Aurora, Nebraska, driving the 15w receiving the 2009 4 Cylinder Points Championship.
In the 2-Man Cruiser Division, Pat Hersh and Mike Whitten were 10th, Tim Hessheimer SR and Tim Hessheimer JR (9), Jordan Inderlied and Jake Hedden (8), Tyler Mark, Scott Nuttelman /Brandon Ahlquist (7), Ken and Drew Barry (6), John Miller and Greg Ekeler (5), Brent Kassik and John Miller (4), Allen Zimmerman and Ethan Vogler (3) and also took the 2009 Rookie of the Year Award. Receiving second place in the Cruiser division was Greg Kenley and Jeremiah Harris with 358 points. Achieving their second Points Champion Title for this division was Vic and Josh Jacobitz from Nelson, Nebraska, driving the 69J cruiser.
The NASCAR Hobby Stocks had awards handed out by Randy, Kathy, and Micah Veleba who represented the NAPA Sponsorship of the division. In tenth place was Andy Sole- $118.45, Brandon Wergin- $125.82 (9), Tom Dunker-$133.20 (8), Andy Lovegrove- $144.26 (7), Shane Schneider- $155.33 (6), Zach Reicks- $195.09 (5) Brian Klein- $234.84 (4) and also the 2009 NASCAR Hobby Stock Rookie of the Year. Rocky Zimmerman took third in points with $295.91, and Brent Kassik placed Runner-up in the division with 684 points and was awarded $328.28. Jason Wilkinson, driving the number 27, attained the Points Championship with 700 points and with the amount of $506.57 in the combined JMS Points Money and NASCAR Contingencies.
The NASCAR Stock Cars also sponsored by NAPA Stores for 2009 presented these drivers for the top ten in points: Ernie Reiss- $129.05 (10), Cory Dumpert- $140.66 (9), Brent Drohman- $152.28 (8), Herbert Slough -$219.71 (7), Ronald Veleba- $262.14 (6), Brant Beam- $310.38 (5), Jason Van Winkle -$333.61 (4), Justin Mohler- $376.04 (3); receiving Rookie of the Year for 2009 and also Runner-up was Kyle Dumpert, being paid $412.66. Taking the Points Championship and a total of $825.32 was also the Hobby Stocks Champion, Jason Wilkinson, driving the number 52 Stock Car from Neligh, Nebraska.
The NASCAR Modifieds were sponsored by Steele Rubber Products from Denver, North Carolina. There wasn't, however, a representative from Steele in attendance at the banquet. Finishing tenth in points at Junction Motor Speedway in this division was Brett Behrends-$143.89, Kyle Vanover- $211.44 (9), Daniel Neeman-$229.00 (8), Shane Stutzman- $305.33 (7), Dean Wilkinson- $331.66 (6), Jon Thompson- $366.77 (5), Andy Wilkinson - $401.88 (4), Scott Styskal- $528.22 (3), and Robert (Buzz) Wilson achieving second place in points with earnings of $745.77. Winning the 2009 Championship in the NASCAR Modified division was Brandon Blochlinger from Concordia, KS, who received a total of $1,491.54 in NASCAR Contingency and the JMS Points Fund.
Finally, the NASCAR Late Models by GM Performance Parts were awarded for top ten in points. Ryan Pedersen from Sutton, Nebraska was awarded Rookie of the Year in this Division. Micah Veleba was granted $393.96 for tenth place in points, Randy Hall - $461.55 (9), Andy Wilkinson - $529.13 (8), Tom Svoboda - $655.51 (7), Donald Gimpel - $731.89 (6), Lester Siebert- $817.03 (5), Andrew Kosiski – $1002.23 (4), Matt Buller - $1428.60 (3), and Mike Wallace - $2246.19 for Runner- Up in the Premier Division. Winning his second consecutive championship title with JMS and also finishing fourth in the Nation in NASCAR points was Bill Leighton, JR with earnings of $3,492.38 in the JMS Points Fund and NASCAR Contingencies.
In conjunction with the NASCAR Late Models division, several drivers were awarded for being top 500 in the Nation. From highest to lowest was 4th- Bill Leighton, 10th- Matt Buller, 14th- Mike Wallace, 17th- Lester Siebert, 18th- Andrew Kosiski, 70th- Tom Svoboda, 172nd- Randy Hall (also receiving a State Rookie Award), 228th- Andy Wilkinson, 232nd- Donald Gimpel, 452nd- Micah Veleba, and 485th- Mike Svagera.
Junction Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series provided a total of $21,913.60 in all four NASCAR classes for the points fund distribution.
In conclusion the Junction Motor Speedway Staff was acknowledged for their efforts in making 2009 a successful season. In attendance at the banquet were track owners Delmar and Ardenna Friesen who were also honored for a Crystal Bowl Trophy from Schweitzer's Custom Engraving in Milford, Nebraska for having attained their Fifth Season at the end of 2008. Mike Chapin was recognized with duties of line-ups and back gate security; Jason Friesen with scheduling; Crystal Friesen with points, scoring, records, and stats; Brad Nunnenkamp as the Director of Competition; Jon Pedersen working the gift shop, website, and pictures; Cathy Pedersen with the gift shop; Jessica Goldfuss- JMS Office Manager and Scoring; Julie Robinson with Concessions management and as groundskeeper, Linda and Danielle Carroll in Concessions, and Vanee Holtmeier with front gate admission. Wayne Dake announced at Junction Motor Speedway weekly and was the Emcee for the evening. Also in attendance with him was his wife, Jan Dake who helps with various tasks at the track. These dedicated individuals are among 55 or so JMS employees.
To finalize the evening Delmar inducted his 2010 schedule to the racing audience and announced the changes and additions to the year. Because the schedule is still brand new and tentative, it is possible that there may be more changes and additions in the upcoming months. Additions to the track are B-Mods as well as changes of 4 Cylinders running on the big track instead of the small track. The Nascar Late Models will also be running every Saturday night including the nights
On behalf of Junction Motor Speedway, and Track Owner and Promoter, Delmar Friesen, thanks to all drivers, crews, employees, families, and friends who attended the 2009 banquet. In addition, we appreciate all drivers who support and race at our track and we look forward to seeing everyone in the 2010 racing season!
-Jessica Goldfuss
December 15, 2009
