When the doors opened, nearly 275 people were expected at the KCS Awards Banquet & Celebration, but no where in anyone's wildest imagination did we expect the outpouring of support that was shown Saturday evening at the KCS Fairgrounds' Hall of Industry.
A SOLD OUT crowd of better than 350 plus drivers, crews, car owners, sponsors, and fans packed the Hall of Industry at the Kankakee Fairgrounds as Kankakee County Speedway hosted its awards banquet & celebration Saturday night. Among those in attendance was UMP President Sam Driggers, who was very impressed with what he saw at the banquet. Kankakee County Speedway has come a very long way in a short amount of time, and to bounce back from the adversity last year is nothing short of remarkable.
The staff of KCS handed out 77 trophies, courtesy of Indiana Classic Trophy in Ft. Wayne, along with a number of special awards to both drivers and track employees and volunteers. Among them was Jim Whittington, a former veteran flagman turned race director who helped assemble the very staff in place under current Promoter Tom Smith. Once the presentation of awards began several drivers took an opportunity to thank Smith for his efforts to save racing here at Kankakee. Modified track champion Dave Porth, who is the very essence of Kankakee County Speedway shared his thoughts along with a few good stories about racing throughout the years at KCS. Jim Farris of FRP Chassis in Odell also shared his sentiments to the Smith Family and the KCS staff. One other driver who comes to mind was veteran late model ace Lil' John Provenzano, father of UMP Late Model Track Champion Mike Provenzano, who simply stated "I'll be back!" in Terminator fashion. The veteran driver from Marseilles, IL will return for a 40th and final season of racing. The younger Provenzano will embark into 2010 with a chance to join a very select list of drivers, as he attempts to three peat as track titliest. Only Jim O'Connor, Roger Long, and Billy Wicker have ever won three consecutive track titles. Provenzano had also one the title in 2007 before the 2008 lockout.
Among those crowned 2009 Track Champions were Mike Provenzano (Late Models), Dave Porth (Modifieds), Rick Thomas (Street Stocks), Mike Kingma (IMOD), and Axle Wicker (Hornets).
Rookie of the Year awards went to Jay Morris (Late Models), Adam Pockrus (Modifieds), Dustin Hubert (Street Stocks), Nick Montalta (IMOD), and Allen Line (Hornets).
Most Improved Driver awards went to Steve Dimmick (Late Models), Shawn Scripter, (Modifieds), Brian Wirtz (Street Stocks), Richard Gynn (IMOD), and Shannon Mudro (Hornets).
Axle Wicker of Bradley was awarded Most Popular Driver award.
Lastly, Darrin Kohler of Chebanse was awarded the Sportsmanship award for his all around demeanor both on and off the track, and being a role model for both young and old alike.
For more banquet photos courtesy of Lu Mounce, please visit her website at PhotosByLu.com http://www.photosbylu.smugmug.com/Kankakee-Awards-Banquet-2009
A SOLD OUT crowd of better than 350 plus drivers, crews, car owners, sponsors, and fans packed the Hall of Industry at the Kankakee Fairgrounds as Kankakee County Speedway hosted its awards banquet & celebration Saturday night. Among those in attendance was UMP President Sam Driggers, who was very impressed with what he saw at the banquet. Kankakee County Speedway has come a very long way in a short amount of time, and to bounce back from the adversity last year is nothing short of remarkable.
The staff of KCS handed out 77 trophies, courtesy of Indiana Classic Trophy in Ft. Wayne, along with a number of special awards to both drivers and track employees and volunteers. Among them was Jim Whittington, a former veteran flagman turned race director who helped assemble the very staff in place under current Promoter Tom Smith. Once the presentation of awards began several drivers took an opportunity to thank Smith for his efforts to save racing here at Kankakee. Modified track champion Dave Porth, who is the very essence of Kankakee County Speedway shared his thoughts along with a few good stories about racing throughout the years at KCS. Jim Farris of FRP Chassis in Odell also shared his sentiments to the Smith Family and the KCS staff. One other driver who comes to mind was veteran late model ace Lil' John Provenzano, father of UMP Late Model Track Champion Mike Provenzano, who simply stated "I'll be back!" in Terminator fashion. The veteran driver from Marseilles, IL will return for a 40th and final season of racing. The younger Provenzano will embark into 2010 with a chance to join a very select list of drivers, as he attempts to three peat as track titliest. Only Jim O'Connor, Roger Long, and Billy Wicker have ever won three consecutive track titles. Provenzano had also one the title in 2007 before the 2008 lockout.
Among those crowned 2009 Track Champions were Mike Provenzano (Late Models), Dave Porth (Modifieds), Rick Thomas (Street Stocks), Mike Kingma (IMOD), and Axle Wicker (Hornets).
Rookie of the Year awards went to Jay Morris (Late Models), Adam Pockrus (Modifieds), Dustin Hubert (Street Stocks), Nick Montalta (IMOD), and Allen Line (Hornets).
Most Improved Driver awards went to Steve Dimmick (Late Models), Shawn Scripter, (Modifieds), Brian Wirtz (Street Stocks), Richard Gynn (IMOD), and Shannon Mudro (Hornets).
Axle Wicker of Bradley was awarded Most Popular Driver award.
Lastly, Darrin Kohler of Chebanse was awarded the Sportsmanship award for his all around demeanor both on and off the track, and being a role model for both young and old alike.
For more banquet photos courtesy of Lu Mounce, please visit her website at PhotosByLu.com http://www.photosbylu.smugmug.com/Kankakee-Awards-Banquet-2009
