Longtime Midwest Auto Racing Association driver Donnie Lehmann and his father Howard Lehmann have claimed another MARA midget title. Donnie collected the 2005 midget driver’s championship and Donnie and Howard together as Lehmann Racing earned the 2005 midget owner’s title. For Donnie, it is his 10th driver’s championship, which includes eight national titles and two regional titles; and this marks number 12 in the owner’s category for Howard Lehmann. Donnie picked up multiple feature wins with various sanctioning bodies during the 2005 season and finished a close second to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver, Tracy Hines, at the Dana Godfrey Memorial this past September.
This season marked the first year for the MARA mini-sprint division and it proved to be a great addition to our established organization. In its inaugural year, the mini-sprint division completed eight nights of racing in the Illinois/Missouri area and had four different A-main winners. Eighteen-year-old Ryan Criswell picked up three mini-sprint A-main events in route to his mini-sprint driving championship. Criswell locked up his championship hopes after the seventh race of the season. His consistency and hard work paid off and for his efforts he was crowned the first ever MARA mini-sprint champion. This young man not only received the championship title, but has also earned the right to drive a full size midget in at least three midget events during the 2006 season.
MARA crowned its 2005 champions on Saturday, November 19 at Panorama Lanes in Belleville, IL. The Top 10 in midget points, along with the Top 5 in mini-sprint points received their awards and point fund checks. Traditional MARA special awards were also handed out with the following recipients claiming their awards:
President’s Awards
Mike DiBart - Rookie recognition award
Dawn & Richie Standridge - Assistance with the inception of the MARA mini-sprint division
Dave Camfield - Assistance with the promotion of the Dana Godfrey Memorial
Donnie Lehmann - Assistance throughout 2005 season and tremendous help with awards banquet
Sportsmen of the Year - Jeff & Jill Davis
Most Improved Driver - Mike Riley
Mechanic of the Year - Howard Lehmann
Rookie of the Year - Kenny Adams
Charlene Meents Memorial - Wanda Knepper
This season marked the first year for the MARA mini-sprint division and it proved to be a great addition to our established organization. In its inaugural year, the mini-sprint division completed eight nights of racing in the Illinois/Missouri area and had four different A-main winners. Eighteen-year-old Ryan Criswell picked up three mini-sprint A-main events in route to his mini-sprint driving championship. Criswell locked up his championship hopes after the seventh race of the season. His consistency and hard work paid off and for his efforts he was crowned the first ever MARA mini-sprint champion. This young man not only received the championship title, but has also earned the right to drive a full size midget in at least three midget events during the 2006 season.
MARA crowned its 2005 champions on Saturday, November 19 at Panorama Lanes in Belleville, IL. The Top 10 in midget points, along with the Top 5 in mini-sprint points received their awards and point fund checks. Traditional MARA special awards were also handed out with the following recipients claiming their awards:
President’s Awards
Mike DiBart - Rookie recognition award
Dawn & Richie Standridge - Assistance with the inception of the MARA mini-sprint division
Dave Camfield - Assistance with the promotion of the Dana Godfrey Memorial
Donnie Lehmann - Assistance throughout 2005 season and tremendous help with awards banquet
Sportsmen of the Year - Jeff & Jill Davis
Most Improved Driver - Mike Riley
Mechanic of the Year - Howard Lehmann
Rookie of the Year - Kenny Adams
Charlene Meents Memorial - Wanda Knepper
