11/14/2009
NASCAR CHAMPIONS HONORED
IN NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS TOURING AWARDS GALA
Inaugural Event Celebrates Accomplishments Of 2009 |
Five champions in NASCAR’s developmental series were honored during the
inaugural Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala in the Concord (N.C.)
Convention Center on Saturday night.
The festivities featured the champions and top drivers from all of
NASCAR’s North American regional touring series, who gathered for the
special year-end celebration at the hub of stock-car racing.
The 2009 champions included Ryan Truex (NASCAR Camping World Series
East), Jason Bowles (NASCAR Camping World Series West), Donny Lia (NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour), George Brunnhoelzl III (NASCAR Whelen Southern
Modified Tour), and Andrew Ranger (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by
Mobil 1).
Truex, of Mayetta, N.J., became just the second driver in the
history of the NASCAR Camping World Series East to win the championship and
the rookie title in the same year.
Bowles, of Ontario, Calif., won the NASCAR Camping World Series
West title in his third season of competing in the series.
Lia, of Jericho, N.Y., captured his second NASCAR Whelen Modified
Tour championship in the past three seasons.
Brunnhoelzl, of Babylon, N.Y., won his first NASCAR championship in
taking the title in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.
Ranger, of Roxton Pond, Que., captured his second series crown in
three seasons – having also won the championship in the NASCAR Canadian Tire
Series in its inaugural season of 2007.
“We are very proud of our developmental series and the tradition
that all of you in this room represent,” NASCAR’s Vice President of Racing
Operations Steve O’Donnell told those in attendance. “These series mean so
much to us, as the showcase for our next generation of racing talent – and
an important bridge from local weekly short tracks to the national series
level.
”This is where you can find some of this sport’s legendary drivers
of this sport, multi-time NASCAR champions, seasoned veterans, who are
showing the young guns that experience can speak volumes,” O’Donnell said.
In addition to the championship awards, the Most Popular Driver
Awards for each series were also presented during the ceremony. The five
drivers honored with the prestigious award were Ted Christopher in the
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Andy Seuss in the NASCAR Whelen Southern
Modified Tour, Andrew Ranger in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Steve Park
in the NASCAR Camping World Series East and Moses Smith in the NASCAR
Camping World Series West.
The top 10 drivers and car owners from NASCAR’s developmental
series were recognized during the gala event – which featured Mike Joy and
Dr. Dick Berggren of Fox Sports as master of ceremonies. The awards banquet
was streamed live online at
www.nascarhometracks.com – the official online home of NASCAR’s
developmental series.
The awards celebration capped a week of festivities in the
Charlotte area aimed at providing the top drivers and track operators in
NASCAR’s developmental series an up close and personal look at the hub of
stock-car racing. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet on
Friday honored champions from across North America in the series that is
NASCAR’s grassroots foundation.
|
Source: Jason Christley
/ NASCAR
Posted: November
14, 2009 |
|
|