Kyle Ebersole and
Champions Honored at Sundance Vacations Speedway's Awards
Ceremony
Under the tenth season of operation with
Hazleton’s Joe Callavini at the helm, Sundance Vacations
Speedway held its annual awards banquet Saturday at Best Western
Genetti Inn & Suites in Hazleton, PA.
Nearly three hundred people were in attendance, including crew
members, friends and family members of racers that compete at
the 1/3-mile asphalt oval in St. Johns, PA. Along with the
presentation of special awards, the end of the year celebration
was held to recognize the top points finishers each of the
track’s divisions.
The highlight of the evening took place when 19-year old Kyle
Ebersole of Hummelstown took to the stage and was presented with
his championship trophy for winning the Modified track
championship. Despite missing a race earlier in the season,
Ebersole scored three feature wins, which propelled him to his
first championship crown in the division.
Along with the hardware, Ebersole was also presented with a
beautiful championship ring from Jerry Woody, owner of Golden
Carat Jewelers.
Speedway Chief Steward, Mike Odwazny, began the ceremony and
said some words about members of the speedway family that have
passed away this season. He also thanked Sundance Vacations for
their tremendous support of the speedway this season.
Along with Ebersole, other divisional champions were honored.
Following a DNF on opening day, Zane Zeiner of Bath dominated
the season to take the Sport Modified title. Nesquehoning’s Mike
Sweeney won his second consecutive Late Model crown and Brad
Barbush of Drums grabbed his first Street Stock title.
Freeland’s Mike Moyer, Jr. bagged his first Factory Stock
championship and Jon Smith of Lehighton took top honors in the
FWD division. Coplay’s Scott Hubler took his first INEX Legends
crown in his first full season at the speedway. Joe Jentile of
Bedminster grabbed his second straight 6/8-cylinder enduro title
and John Saccomandi of North Whales earned his first career
title in the ABC Car Crushing Mountain Madness Enduro Series.
Sponsored by Tyler Jett Motorsports Marketing, wooden mantle
clocks were presented to the drivers who were present that ran
the fastest feature lap of the season. Winners were Earl Paules
(Modified), Ricky Ross, Jr. (Sport Modified), Zane Zeiner (Late
Model), Joe Barbush (Street Stock), Wayne Lowe (Factory Stock),
Jon Smith (FWD) and Mike Alcaro (INEX Legends).
Sponsored by the Green family, Rookie of the Year winners were
Bobby Jones (Modified), Jerry Hildebrand (Late Model), Harry
Sager (Street Stock), Jay Gould (Factory Stock), Jon Smith (FWD)
and Scott Hubler (INEX Legends). Because it was his first full
season in a Sport Modified at the track, Zane Zeiner was named
Rookie of the Year. Zeiner then called Ricky Ross, Jr. to the
stage and presented him with the award because Zeiner believed
that Ross was a “true” rookie in the division and more deserving
of the honor.
The Sager’s Racing Hard Chargers of the season were Kyle
Ebersole (Modified), Zane Zeiner (Sport Modified and Late
Model), Richie DiMarco (Street Stock), Scott Adams (Factory
Stock), Eric Banashefski and Kenny Kleppinger (FWD) and Kevin
Nowak (INEX Legends).
The S.C.O.T. Chassis Most Improved Driver awards were presented
to Todd Baer (Modified), Jason Hearne (Sport Modified), Kyle
Harvell (Late Model), Brad Barbush (Street Stock), Bob Wink
(Factory Stock), Eric Banashefski (FWD) and Karl Heisler (INEX
Legends).
The Printer’s Edge Most Popular Driver awards went to Bobby
Jones (Modified), Paul Frantz (Sport Modified), Mike Sweeney
(Late Model), Richie DiMarco (Street Stock), Bob Wink (Factory
Stock), Joe Katona and Eric Banashefski (FWD) and Zane Zeiner (INEX
Legends).
Chip Kilby and Amanda Miller from Sundance Vacations accepted an
award from Joe Callavini and the staff at the speedway for their
effortless support and sponsorship of the track this season.
Also honored were Dan and Dave Basala of Basala Enterprises for
going above and beyond their responsibilities at the speedway.
Michelle Skokowski, Kevin Green, Jessica Maurer and Gene
Ostrowski were presented with plaques of appreciation from
Printer’s Edge for their weekly help with Speed Scene, the
official speedway track program.
Robert Fink was honored with a dedication award and continued
support of the speedway. Prior to the 2009 season, Fink’s last
win came in 2009. Racing every year and nearly every division
since, he scored a total of six feature wins this season.
Odwazny closed out the awards presentation and thanked the
racers and the Callavini family for their continued support of
short track racing in Northeast Pennsylvania.
Source: Geno Ostrowski/Sundance
Vacations Speedway PR
Posted: November 15, 2009