2009 ACS Awards Banquet

    A crowd of 330 gathered at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic on a foggy January night to present awards to ACS's top drivers.  Pro Street champion Joe Zadina took home the coveted This Week in Racing Driver of the Year award for his dominating performance scoring more points and passing more cars than any other competitor this year.  The Citizen of the Year award went to New Market's Steve Cabbage.  After seventeen years of service at ACS as a track announcer and radio show co-host Steve has decided to step down.  His voice and insight will be truly missed at the speedway.

    Sixty trophies, one each to the top fifteen drivers in each of four classes, were distributed, along with point fund checks to every driver who competed at two thirds of the points races during the season.  Nearly $43,000 was paid out to 85 drivers by Adams County Speedway and NASCAR.

    Sportsmanship award winners were Paul Glendenning (late model), Dan Mueller (modified), Steve Churchill (pro street) and Tom Myers (hobby stock).  This award is voted on by fellow drivers and track officials.   The Hard Charger award for passing the most cars in feature events throughout the season went to late model driver Leon Zeitner, modified driver Chris Spieker, Joe Zadina in the pro streets, and Josh True in the hobby stocks.

    Keane Thummel Trucking Best Appearing awards went to Troy McKee in the late models, Todd Van Eaton in the modifieds, Kevin Sharp in pro streets, and Chris Vannausdle in hobby stocks.  Each winner also received $200 courtesy Keane Thummel Trucking.  Most Improved Driver awards were presented to Ryan Vicker, Derrick Hicks, Kevin Sharp, and Josh True in the four classes.  Craftsman Mechanic of the Year was awarded to Mitch Schwartzendruber for his service to both Leon Zeitner and Justin Zeitner's late models.

Hobby Stocks:  Front row Champion Trent Davison, Matt Williamson, Jerod Weston, Josh True, Tom Myers, David Weeda.  Back row: Pat Shiflett, rep for Kevin Yearington, Dean Richards, Chris Vannausdle, Jeremy Ribbey, Jeremy Auten, Dean Orr

Pro Streets: Front row Champion Joe Zadina, Jeff Orr, Steve Churchill, Greg Miller, Brad Derry, Craig Garner.  Back row Kevin Sharp, Ron Helvie, Dwain Pelzer, Glenn Orr, rep for Jake Christensen, rep for Jerry Parker, Clay Mercer, AJ Miller

Modifieds:  Front row Champion Jeremy Tibben, Ryan Peckham, Todd Van Eaton, rep for Chris Spieker, Jared Stiens, Alison Quick.  Back row Brian Foote, Derrick Hicks, Jeff Wiggins, JC Wyman, Eric Hanna.

Late Models: Front row David Spieker for Champion Chris Spieker, Leon Zeitner, Paul Glendenning, Justin Zeitner, Karl Ritterbusch, Ryan Vicker.  Back row: rep for Jeremy Hodapp, rep for Trent Jackson, Troy McKee, Jason O'Brien, Mike Garner

Hobby Stock Awards

Sportsmanship Award Tom Myers, Hard Charger and Most Improved Josh True, Best Appearing Car Chris Vannausdle

Pro Street Awards

Hard Charger Award Joe Zadina, Most Improved and Best Appearing Car Kevin Sharp, Sportsmanship  Steve Churchill

Modified Awards

Hard Charger Chris Spieker (rep by Justin Schafer), Best Appearing Car Todd Van Eaton, Most Improved Derrick Hicks.  Not pictured: Sportsmansip Award Dan Mueller

Late Model Awards

Sportsmanship Award Paul Glendenning, Hard Charger Leon Zeitner, Most Improved Ryan Vicker, Best Appearing Car Troy McKee

Joe Zadina - 2009 Driver of the Year

Mitch Schwartzendruber - Craftsman Mechanic of the Year

Steve Cabbage - ACS Citizen of the Year