January 22, 2000-Warren, MI—What a party it was!!! The 2000 MARFC Awards Banquet held Saturday evening brought out all the stars. Highlighting the event were Paul Gentilozzi, Chris McClure and Joy Fair receiving the top honors for the 1999 Racing Season along with the many Champions, Promoters, and Fans from MARFC member tracks as well as ARCA, Tri-City Quarter Midgets, Iceman Series, Michigan Modified Series, and Michigan Legends Series.
All Photographs on this page courtesy of Paul Anton Racing Photos
HONOREES
Michigan Auto Racing Personality of the Year
Paul Gentilozzi
Paul Gentilozzi received MARFC’s top honors as Michigan’s Auto Racing Personality of the Year. Paul spoke of some very comical events, recalling the day he learned that IMSA does race in the rain and that wet pavement requires longer braking distances even in a race car.
Bill Barnhart(l)-MARFC President, Paul Gentilozzi(r)
Lifetime Achievement
Joy Fair
Obviously the man of the evening!!! The crowd rose to their feet to honor Joy Fair as he accepted this most deserving award. Although he didn’t say much, he doesn’t need to, with a career like his if you don’t know who he is or what he has done, you don’t need him to tell you.
Bill Barnhart(l)-MARFC President, Joy Fair(m), and Rick Eshelman(r)-Master of Ceremonies
Electronic Media Award
Chris McClure-TNN NASCAR Garage
Chris McClure of TNN’s NASCAR Garage received the Electronic Media Award. Chris recalled his early days of watching stockcars at Spartan Speedway and thanked first the race fans and then his entire crew back at TNN for their support and making this award happen for him.
Bill Barnhart-MARFC President(l) and Chris McClure(r)
Motorsports Writer of the Year
Jim Hawkins of the Oakland Press
Represented by Tommy Cameron(l) of Michigan Speedway, Bill Barnhart-MARFC President (r)
Mechanic of the Year
Gene Banning
Bill Barnhart-MARFC President (r), Gene Banning (l)
Promoter of the Year
Michigan Legends
John Turnbull Sr.
Bill Barnhart-MARFC President (l), John Trunbull Sr. (r)
Michigan Auto Racing Fan of the Year
Edna and George Adastik
Pictured from l to r: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Edna Adastik, George Adastik, Bill Barnhart-MARFC President
CHAMPIONS
Quarter Midget
Undoubtedly the most entertaining of all the Champions were the kids. These Quarter midget racers probably worked harder on their acceptance speeches than they had all year to become champs and did a fine job at both!!!
Crystal Motor Speedway Champs
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Mike Lafferty-Hobby Stock, Gary Carman-Pro Truck, Chad Raby-Pro Stock
Flat Rock Speedway Champs
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Randy Cronenwett-Figure 8, Skip Kissell-Street Stock B, Brian Norton-Street Stock A, Rick Knowles-Late Model
Spartan Speedway Champs
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Chad Shepard-Street Stock, Chris Place-MMA Modifieds, John McNett-Sportsman, Doug Finley-Late Model
Springport Speedway Champs
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Jeff Haughton-Street Stock, Gary Sherman-Modified, Tom Hernly Jr-Super Late Model
Toledo Speedway Champs
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Ken Ahlgren-Figure 8, Kevin Burnheimer-Factory Stock, Rancy Cornett-Street Stock, Dennis Strickland-Late Model
Owosso Speedway Champs
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Steve Rollins-Street Stock, Scott Cliffird-Modified, Marty Babbitt-Late Model, Roger Wing-Super Late Model
ARCA Series Champs
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Ken Ahlgren-Figure 8, Bill Withers-Trucks, Jim Clarke representing Gene Lee Gibson-Midgets, DonRadebaugh representing Bill Baird-Bondo/Mar-Hyde
Michigan Legends Series
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Mike Carter Jr.-Series, Steve Jancar-Masters, Pauls Scroufe and Levi Rouster-Rookie Co-Champs, John Trunbull Jr.-Pro
Michigan Modified Series
Co-Champions, Brad Roberts and Chris Place
Pictured left to right: Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President, Brad Roberts and Chris Place-Co Champions
Merritt Speedway Michigan Modified Champ
Brent Banning
Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President (l), Brent Banning (r)
Iceman Series Champ
Scott Baker
Jim Buckley-MARFC Vice-President (l), Scott Baker (r)
Appreciation Awards
Stacy Hoag
Susan Ginter
Debbie Majchrzak-Debbie’s Sterling Printing and Graphics
Rob Michon-Performance Images
(geez what a mug!!)