From Steve Birmingham
The top ten racers in all five categories received trophies and cash rewards for their efforts at the Mt. Vernon Raceway Champions Banquet last week.
Presentations were made to United Midwest Promoters (UMP) Super Late Model Champion Rodney Melvin, Steel Block Late Model Champion Chuck Still, UMP Modified Champions Matt Mevert, Hobby Stock Champion Bobby Wilkins and Hornet Champion Daniel Heck by two of the track's principal owners, Rick Heck and Jim Scott.
Heck later announced that the Steel Block Late Models would be the top weekly series at Mt. Vernon, with the UMP Super Late Models competing on a limited schedule in 2005. Heck also introduced Tim Herbst as the new General Manager and Promoter of Mt. Vernon Raceway.
Herbst said he was excited about working with all the racers and fans and that small but subtle changes would be made for the 2005 season. A Junior Fan Club was just one of the few programs Herbst plans to introduce for the children at the Raceway. Heck also introduced Randy Ferguson and Sean Franklin of the Fastrack Racing Series, both of whom spoke briefly on their new Crate Late Model series' appearances at Mt. Vernon this season.
Special Recognition Awards were presented to several of the racers and crews for their accomplishment in the 2004 season on the national UMP level:
Track Super Late Model Champion Rodney Melvin for his second consecutive UMP National Super Late Model Championship, as well as his father, Robert "Bob" Melvin, on being the UMP Late Model Engine Builder of the year; Tony Boyels on being the UMP Late Model Sportsmen of the Year; Mt. Vernon Modified Track Champion Matt Mevert on his fifth place UMP National Points finish; Mike Harrison on his UMP Modified National Championship.
In addition to a large trophy and cash bonus, the Mt. Vernon Track Champions were presented Hoosier Racing Jackets from Hoosier Tire Midwest. Five drivers, picked at random, were awarded special racing jacks: Tony Boyels, Ed Purcell, Daniel Heck, Tommy Filkens, and Billy McGrady. Assorted Mt. Vernon Raceway, Rick’s Towing and NASCAR ‘Goodies" were given out as door prizes to the over 250 people in attendance.
The 2005 Mt. Vernon Raceway season will kick off April 2 with Test and Tune sessions with weekly racing beginning Saturday, April 9. The first appearance of the UMP Super Late Models Challenge of Champions is scheduled for Saturday, April 16.
Mt. Vernon Final Points
Late Model Final Points
1.#27 Rodney Melvin..1589
2.#78 Kyle Monroe..842
3.#84 Tony Boyles..822
4.#16H Mike Hammerle..735
5.#26 Billy Faust..649
6.#360 John Seets..647
7.#36 Ron Sensel..631
8.#4GH Jeff Sloan..572
9.#83 Joe Morris..504
10.#44E Dave Eaves..497
Steel Blocks Final Points
1.#5s Chuck Still..1171
2.#U2 Danny Jolly..1036
3.#6 Ray Emling Jr..1026
4.#30 Rick Isaacs..805
5.#97 Shane Cockrum..804
6.#21 Dave Huite..644
7.#85 Ed Pursell..589
8.#F96 Kevin Ferguson..494
9.#71W Jeff Wiggs..490
10.#71 Louie Baker Jr..489
Modifieds Final Points
1.#22 Matt Mevert..1551
2.#14x Tim Burdel..983
3.#747 Mike Higginson..877
4.#3c Kevin Cole..660
5.#81 Paul Bailey..637
6.#43 Larry Anderson..634
7.#24 Mike Harrison..605
8.#36 Steve Cole..561
9.#77 Gary Jarvis..545
10.#00 Glen Stephens..482
Hobby Stock Final Points
1.#23 Bobby Wilkins..1114
2.#78 Johnny Wilkins..1078
3.#22H John Hartung..726
4.#26 Earl Kanady..695
5.#07 Matt Filkins..681
6.#42 Eric Fender..612
7.#38dd Lonnie Hixenbaugh..603
8.#11M Mike Galloway..602
9.#17 Jesse Wisely..577
10.#76 Howard Overton..512
Hornet Final Points
1.#D55 Daniel Heck..1278
2.#60 Aaron Heck..1201
3.#55 Charley Heck..969
4.#62 D Newcomb..883
5.#32x Jeremy Howell..642
6.#63 Billy McGrady..558
7.#133 Sharon Payne..517
8.#8 Mike Bourland..492
9.#X Ryan Timmons..457
10.#93 Loren Garrison..349
The top ten racers in all five categories received trophies and cash rewards for their efforts at the Mt. Vernon Raceway Champions Banquet last week.
Presentations were made to United Midwest Promoters (UMP) Super Late Model Champion Rodney Melvin, Steel Block Late Model Champion Chuck Still, UMP Modified Champions Matt Mevert, Hobby Stock Champion Bobby Wilkins and Hornet Champion Daniel Heck by two of the track's principal owners, Rick Heck and Jim Scott.
Heck later announced that the Steel Block Late Models would be the top weekly series at Mt. Vernon, with the UMP Super Late Models competing on a limited schedule in 2005. Heck also introduced Tim Herbst as the new General Manager and Promoter of Mt. Vernon Raceway.
Herbst said he was excited about working with all the racers and fans and that small but subtle changes would be made for the 2005 season. A Junior Fan Club was just one of the few programs Herbst plans to introduce for the children at the Raceway. Heck also introduced Randy Ferguson and Sean Franklin of the Fastrack Racing Series, both of whom spoke briefly on their new Crate Late Model series' appearances at Mt. Vernon this season.
Special Recognition Awards were presented to several of the racers and crews for their accomplishment in the 2004 season on the national UMP level:
Track Super Late Model Champion Rodney Melvin for his second consecutive UMP National Super Late Model Championship, as well as his father, Robert "Bob" Melvin, on being the UMP Late Model Engine Builder of the year; Tony Boyels on being the UMP Late Model Sportsmen of the Year; Mt. Vernon Modified Track Champion Matt Mevert on his fifth place UMP National Points finish; Mike Harrison on his UMP Modified National Championship.
In addition to a large trophy and cash bonus, the Mt. Vernon Track Champions were presented Hoosier Racing Jackets from Hoosier Tire Midwest. Five drivers, picked at random, were awarded special racing jacks: Tony Boyels, Ed Purcell, Daniel Heck, Tommy Filkens, and Billy McGrady. Assorted Mt. Vernon Raceway, Rick’s Towing and NASCAR ‘Goodies" were given out as door prizes to the over 250 people in attendance.
The 2005 Mt. Vernon Raceway season will kick off April 2 with Test and Tune sessions with weekly racing beginning Saturday, April 9. The first appearance of the UMP Super Late Models Challenge of Champions is scheduled for Saturday, April 16.
Mt. Vernon Final Points
Late Model Final Points
1.#27 Rodney Melvin..1589
2.#78 Kyle Monroe..842
3.#84 Tony Boyles..822
4.#16H Mike Hammerle..735
5.#26 Billy Faust..649
6.#360 John Seets..647
7.#36 Ron Sensel..631
8.#4GH Jeff Sloan..572
9.#83 Joe Morris..504
10.#44E Dave Eaves..497
Steel Blocks Final Points
1.#5s Chuck Still..1171
2.#U2 Danny Jolly..1036
3.#6 Ray Emling Jr..1026
4.#30 Rick Isaacs..805
5.#97 Shane Cockrum..804
6.#21 Dave Huite..644
7.#85 Ed Pursell..589
8.#F96 Kevin Ferguson..494
9.#71W Jeff Wiggs..490
10.#71 Louie Baker Jr..489
Modifieds Final Points
1.#22 Matt Mevert..1551
2.#14x Tim Burdel..983
3.#747 Mike Higginson..877
4.#3c Kevin Cole..660
5.#81 Paul Bailey..637
6.#43 Larry Anderson..634
7.#24 Mike Harrison..605
8.#36 Steve Cole..561
9.#77 Gary Jarvis..545
10.#00 Glen Stephens..482
Hobby Stock Final Points
1.#23 Bobby Wilkins..1114
2.#78 Johnny Wilkins..1078
3.#22H John Hartung..726
4.#26 Earl Kanady..695
5.#07 Matt Filkins..681
6.#42 Eric Fender..612
7.#38dd Lonnie Hixenbaugh..603
8.#11M Mike Galloway..602
9.#17 Jesse Wisely..577
10.#76 Howard Overton..512
Hornet Final Points
1.#D55 Daniel Heck..1278
2.#60 Aaron Heck..1201
3.#55 Charley Heck..969
4.#62 D Newcomb..883
5.#32x Jeremy Howell..642
6.#63 Billy McGrady..558
7.#133 Sharon Payne..517
8.#8 Mike Bourland..492
9.#X Ryan Timmons..457
10.#93 Loren Garrison..349
