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Eldora hands
out 2014 Championship awards
ROSSBURG, Ohio (Jan. 24, 2015) – More than 400 drivers, crew members
and fans gathered inside the Eldora Ballroom Saturday evening to bring
an official close to the 2014 season with the annual Eldora Speedway
Awards Ceremony.
Honored as divisional champions for the legendary half-mile clay oval
were Matt Miller (DIRTcar UMP Late Model), Matt Westfall (DIRTcar UMP
Modified) and Frank Paladino (Eldora Stock Car), while Brandon Thirlby
received accolades for his championship in the Sunoco American Late
Model Series.
For Miller, it was his fifth championship and second consecutive,
having mastered the field in 2000, 2008, 2010 and 2013 as he drove the
car owned by Rick DeLong. It was Westfall’s first Modified
championship and Paladino’s first stock car championship as they drove
for Best Performance Motorsports and Paladino Motorsports,
respectfully.
Prior to the presentation of the champions, the remainder of the top 15
in the final point chase were brought to the stage to receive trophies
and point fund money.
Intermixed were multiple ‘specialty’ awards. Rookie of the Year
awards went to Jeff Koz (Modified) and Brandon Archey (Stock Car),
while the Most Improved Driver honors went to Thirlby (Late Model),
Casey Luedeke and David Smith (Modified) and Wayne Williams (Stock
Car). Determined to have the Best Appearing Cars in 2014
were Chamberlain (Late Model), Rob Starkey (Modified) and Koz (Stock
Car). Recognized for their run of Hard Luck were Curtis
Roberts (Late Model), Brandon Vaughan (Modified) and Rob Trent (Stock
Car).
Considered to be one of the most prestigious awards of the year, the
Chick Hale Sportsman of the Year trophy was presented to the Taylor
Family, while Veronica Ayres was named Woman of the Year. Skylar
Alexander was tabbed as the Joe Mercer Memorial Fan of the Year, with
Mark Saul capturing the Mechanic of the Year hardware. For their
outstanding stable of race machinery, Mike Garke was announced as the
Owner of the Year.
Eldora now turns its eyes on another busy season ahead. Reserved
seating and campsites for Eldora’s major special events in 2015 – the
21st annual Dirt Late Model Dream by Ferris Mowers; the 32nd
annual Kings Royal Weekend; the third NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
1-800-Car-Cash Mud Summer Classic; and the 45th annual World 100 – are
on sale now at (937) 338-3815 and online at www.EldoraSpeedway.com.
The complete schedule for Eldora’s 62nd consecutive season, including
ticket and campsite information, is available at www.EldoraSpeedway.com
and can be requested by phone at (937) 338-3815. Tickets for all events
will go on sale Monday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. EST.
Fans can get behind-the-scenes access of Eldora Speedway by following
@EldoraSpeedway on Twitter, hitting ‘Like’ at
www.facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway and on
www.youtube.com/EldoraSpeedwayInc. The Eldora Speedway app for the
iPhone, iPad and Android is available for free download via iTunes and
Google Play.
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