Daily Archives: February 1, 2004

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February 2004 Minutes

All I can say is that Mother Nature had it out for us this year. But we prevailed and the banquet was a great success anyway. Nearly 400 people braved through the rotten road conditions and attended one of the best banquets yet. Great to see our old friend from Florida Jack Goodwin make it up for a fun time and to finally meet Chuck Darling from the Michigan Short Track Racers Club was great. Unfortunately Dave Despain we unable to make the trip but did send an outstanding video for all to see and said thank you to all. Dr. Dick Berrgren was unable to make it either but also sent an e-mail of thanks. President of ARCA Ron Drager accepted the Presidents Award on behalf of ARCA & Mildred Marcum who was warm and cozy in Florida. Eddie Sachs,,,, Jr. was also on hand to help present the MARFC/ Eddie Sachs Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Keselowski who was most grateful for the award.

Our MARFC Fan of the Year was Doug Jakeway who was able to be with us and we totally surprised. Doug assists us at many of our fan club day events. We wish to Thank Jim’s Industrial Catering for sponsoring our fan of the year award again this year. A tie for the Mechanic of the Year went to Mark Satkowiak of the Michigan Legend Series for all the hard work he did to get a Championship for his son Mike in the series. Don Lane owner & Crew Chief for Flat Rock Street Stock Champion Brian Norton was our other winner for 2003. Way to good guys! Promoter of the year honors went to the Auto City Speedway and Joe DeWitte owner. Special MARFC Appreciation Awards went to: Bill Stone “AKA Santa Claus” for his help at all of our Children’s Christmas Parties. Rob & Lisa Michon for all Rob’s work on our web site and Lisa for the donation of the hall for the Children’s party. To Eddie Sachs who helped raise funds for the kid’s and to Jimmy Tucker & Kyle Peltier our youngest members who assist with just about everything from general meetings, to kid’s party and fan club day events. Thanks to you all for a job well done. A Special Award was given to Vito LoPiccolo for his 25 years with Motor City Motorsports and his continuous support of the club through his show. Many thanks Vito!

President of the Michigan Speedway Promoters Association Ron Drager presented Ed Van Duinen of Merritt Speedway with the MSPA 2003 Promoter of the Year Award and Terry Fitzwater was on hand to award the Driver of the Year Award for 2003 to Andy Bozell. “ Big Ed” Inloes did an outstanding job as MC for the evening. Many Thanks to everyone who helped out before, during, and after the banquet. Without your help it wouldn’t have went so well. Thanks again to all!!

As Always,

Bill Barnhart

President MARFC

 

38th Annual MARFC Awards Banquet

January

 

President’s Award

MARFC President, Bill Barnhart, (l) presents the President’s award to Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) President, (r) Ron Drager accepting the award for Mildred Marcum, wife of ARCA founder, John Marcum.

 

Eddie Sachs Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award

MARFC President, Bill Barnhart, (l) presents  Eddie Sachs Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Keselowski (m) with son of the Award’s namesake, Eddie Sachs Jr. (r).

 

ARCA Series

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates ARCA Series Champions (l to r), Ron Drager, representing Frank Kimmell-ARCA Re/Max Series, Chad Guinn-Lincoln Welders Truck Series, Dave Kuhlman-Late Model Gold Cup Series, and Dennis Strickland-Flat Rock and Toledo Late Model Overall Champion.

 

Auto City Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Auto City Speedway Champions (l to r), Donny Matteson-Thunder Truck, Joe Hodgeson Jr.,-Factory Stock, Buck Harsen-Modified, and Ken O’Conner- Late Model.

 

Butler Motor Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Butler Motor Speedway Champions (l to r), Ken Mackey-Sprint Car, and Terry Stroufe-Late Model.

 

Crystal Motor Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Crystal Motor Speedway Hobby Stock Champion, Larry Carman.

 

Dixie Motor Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Dixie Motor Speedway Champions (l to r), Matt Szecsodi-Modified, Chad Bennett-Late Model, and Don Riley-Factory Stock.

 

Flat Rock Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Flat Rock Speedway Champions (l to r), Joel Kiger-Street Stock C Main, Ed Hindall-Street Stock B Main, Brian Norton-Street Stock A Main, and Stan Yee Jr.-Late Model.

 

Kalamazoo Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Kalamazoo Speedway Super Late Model Champion, Andy Bozell,

 

Kinross Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Kinross Speedway 4 Cylinder Champion, Jared Nightlinger.

 

Merritt Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Merritt Speedway Champions (l to r), Justin McNeill-Street Stock, and Ronnie Hill-Pro Truck.

 

Michigan Modified Association

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President (l) congratulates Michigan Modified Association Asphalt Champion, Bud Perry (r).

 

Michigan Legends Series

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Michigan Legends Series Champions (l to r), Ryan Meldrum-Rookie of the Year, John Turnbull for Shaun Jennison-Series Pro, Bill Simmons-Masters, and Mike Satkowiak-Series.

 

Mt. Pleasant Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President (l) congratulates Mt. Pleasant Speedway Mini Stock Champion, Cherie Murray (r).

 

Owosso Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Owosso Speedway Champions (l to r), Dan Krzywosinski-Super Late Model, and Robert Loomis-Street Stock.

 

S.O.D. Sprint Series

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates S.O.D Sprint Series Champion, Dustin Daggett.

Spartan Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Spartan Speedway Champions (l to r), Lonny Hill-Figure 8, Kenny Clark-Pony Stock, Ben Hidy-Street Stock, Bud Perry-MMA Modified, and Jack Landis-Late Model.

 

Toledo Speedway

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates Toledo Speedway Champions (l to r), Jeremy Miller-Figure 8 and Overall Figure 8, Randy Cronenwett Jr.-Factory Stock, Howard Kelley Jr.-Sportsman, and Brian Keselowski-Late Model.

 

U.S. Pro Series

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President congratulates U.S. Pro Series Champion, Mark Kortz.

 

Quarter Midget Champs

Larry Iacoboni, MARFC Vice-President, congratulates Quarter Midget Champs (in no particular order) Adam Wilsdon-Tri-City Jr. Honda & Jr. Stock, Brandon Johnson-Tri-City Sr. Honda, Haley Barnett-Tri-City Heavy Honda, Nicholas Grodi-Tri-City Sr. Stock, Eric Fountain-Tri-City Heavy 160, and Allen Jones-Tri-City Half.

 

Promoter of the Year

Joe DeWitt of Auto City Speedway (l) with MARFC President, Bill Barnhart (r).

Mechanic of the Year

The mechanic of the year was tied between Mark Satkowiak (above, l) and Don Lane, represented by Brian Norton (below, r).  Presenting the awards is MARFC President, Bill Barnhart.

 

Fan of the Year

Doug Jakeway (l) with MARFC President, Bill Barnhart (r).

Appreciation Awards

Eddie Sachs (l) with MARFC President, Bill Barnhart (r).

 

Kyle Peltier (l) and Jimmy Tucker (r) with MARFC President, Bill Barnhart (m).

 

Rob and Lisa Michon (l & m) with MARFC President, Bill Barnhart (r).

 

Bill Stone (l) with MARFC President, Bill Barnhart (r).

Michigan Speedway Promoters Association

Promoter of the Year

MSPA President, Ron Drager (r), congratulates Ed VanDuinen of Merritt Speedway (l).

Michigan Racing Scene

Driver of the Year

Michigan Racing Scene publisher, Terry Fitzwater (l) congratulates the Michigan Racing Scene Driver of the Year award to Super Late Model driver, Andy Bozell (m), with trophy designer and builder, Warren Manning (r).

 

As a surprise, Warren Maning (r), presented Terry Fitzwater (l) with the Michigan Speedway Scene Driver of the Year eternal trophy for his office.

 

Special Thanks

Special thanks to those that put their race vehicles on display for us to enjoy.

 

Jay Woolworth-Auto City Speedway

 

Chad Guinn-ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series

 

Nicholas Grodi-Quarter Midget

 

Brandon Johnson-Quarter Midget

 

Kenny Clark-Spartan Speedway

 

Congratulations

Congratulations to this unknown race fan who won a Simpson racing helmet donated by Michigan International Speedway.  The helmet was autographed by 15 NASCAR drivers including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, and Jeff Gordon.