Fortville,
Indiana (01/09/2006): The 2005 USA Modifieds Series Banquet was
held at Hoosier Park in Anderson, Indiana on Saturday January 7th.
A nice crowd was on hand to honor the Top 15 drivers in the final
2005 Points Standings. The highlight of the evening was the
crowning of the 2005 USA Modifieds Series Champion, Harold Scott.
Matt Prieur, the ASA Late Model Series Director of Media/Public
Relations and P.A. Announcer was the Master of Ceremonies for the
evening while USA Modifieds Series President, Steve Ellis and USA
Modifieds Series Director of Competition, Keith Beeching presented
each driver with their trophies and points fund checks. Later in
the evening, Ellis gave the State of the Series Address and
released the 2006 USA Modifieds Series Schedule.
Harold Scott won his first career series championship as the
57-year-old New Castle, Indiana veteran withstood a fierce charge
all season long from a slew of rookie contenders who finished
behind him. Scott picked up one feature win during the 2005 season
at the Indianapolis (IN) Raceway Park on May 28, 2005 to go with
his six Top Five finishes and nine Top 10 showings.
For his Championship efforts, Scott received his points fund
earnings as well as a Hoosier Racing Tires Jacket and a carburetor
from Demon Carburetion.
During his racing career, Scott has won Track Championships in the
past at the Mt. Lawn (IN) Speedway, with numerous victories in
the tracks biggest event, the Raintree 100. Also Scott has
championships at the Anderson (IN) Speedway, and has raced in the
ASA National Tour Rex Robbins in the early years, with runs at
Winchester (IN) Speedways Dri-Power 400
Finishing in the runner-up spot was Lincoln Welders Co-Rookie of
the Year, Brent Hook. The Kalamazoo, Michigan driver scored five
Top Fives during the season including two second place showings.
Hook also managed nine Top 10 showings and set fast time three
different times at three different facilities.
Another Rookie contender, Mike Hadley Jr., scored a third place
finish in the final 2005 Points Standings as the Indianapolis,
Indiana pilot picked up one Top Five, and three Top 10 showings.
He also finished third in the final separate Lincoln Welders
Rookie of the Year title chase.
Fellow Co-Rookie of the Year with Brent Hook, New Haven, Indiana
teenager, Chris Neuenschwander also finished fourth overall in the
final points standings to give freshman drivers three of the Top
Five final points positions! Neuenschwander was one of only two
rookies to win a feature as he took the checkered flag at the
Angola (IN) Motor Speedway on August 6, 2005. In addition,
Neuenschwander scored two Top Fives and six Top 10 finishes
during the 2005 season.
Completing the Top Five was Greenfield, Indiana veteran, Damon
Breedlove, who would finish fifth in the final points chase with
four Top Five finishes. Two of those Top Fives were third place
showings. In addition, Breedlove would pick up seven Top 10
finishes to crack the final Top Five.
Sixth through 15th were Gary Bedell, Scott Tomasik, Mike Thurman,
Jeff Weston, Brad Springer, Cory Setser, Terri Popielarz, Jeff
Eley, Greg Stapleton, and Mark Harrison. Of those drivers, Tomasik
(Anderson (IN) Speedway-June 4th) Springer (Baer Field (IN)
Speedway-May 7th), and Harrison (Anderson-July 2nd) scored feature
wins.
Drivers who didnt finish in the final Top 15 in the final points
standings who won a feature, or won a Fast Qualifier Award
included; Bud Gray III, who won the feature at the Kalamazoo (MI)
Speedway on June 11, 2005. Bud Adams, who set fast time and won
the feature at the Angola (IN) Motor Speedway on September 4,
2005.
Four-time USA Modifieds Series Champion, Rodney Scott, who won the
2005 opener at the Salem (IN) Speedway on April 10, 2005. Also
Fort Wayne, Indiana veteran, Steve Christman took the feature win
at his home track of the Baer Field (IN) Speedway on September 11,
2005.
Spring Valley, Ohio veteran, Dave Stacy won the most features of
the 2005 season despite limited appearances during the series 10th
anniversary campaign. Stacy picked up the feature wins at the
Indianapolis (IN) Raceway Park on July 30, 2005, Mansfield (OH)
Motorsports Speedway on August 27, 2005, and during the
prestigious North VS South Shootout at the Music City (TN)
Motorplex on October 7, 2005. In addition, Stacy also set fast
time at Mansfield.
ASA Late Model Series competitor, Jason Dietsch, the 2003 USA
Modifieids Series Champion came back for a limited amount of shows
and set fast time at Angola on August 6, 2005 while Jeremy Wallen
took the big win during the International Gold Cup at Baer Field
the night before on August 5, 2005. Finally, Jeff Letson set fast
time during the North VS South Shootout at Music City.
Picking up special series awards included: Woman of the Year-Terri
Popielarz, Demon Carburetors Best Appearing Car Award-Brent Hook,
Most Improved Driver Award-Mike Hadley Jr., Dedication Award-Brad
Springer, TW Metals Sportsman of the Year-Mike Thurman,
Hard-Charger Award-Hadley Jr., Ed Martin Automotive Group Crew
Chief of the Year-Lonnie Breedlove and finally the Lincoln Welders
Co-Rookies of the Year-Brent Hook and Chris Neuenschwander.
The 2006 series opener is set for Saturday April 29th at the
beautiful Mansfield (OH) Motorsports Park in Mansfield, Ohio. The
= mile semi-banked paved oval will kick off the 11th season of the
USA Modifieds Series season! For more information about Mansfield,
log onto their website at:
www.mansfield-speedway.com
For more information about the USA Modfieds Series and the 2006
season for the most competitive open wheeled traveling series in
the Midwest, log onto the series website at:
www.usamodifieds.com
