2007 Minneapolis Raceway Awards Banquet Notes
by Dusty Wiegert

MINNEAPOLIS, Kan. -- For the second straight year drivers and car owners, along with their families and friends, enjoyed a night of entertainment at the 2007 Minneapolis Raceway Awards Banquet in Minneapolis, Kansas.

 

The night started off with a quick message from Mayor Bob Hudson before Denny Forshler took over for the evening's prayer, followed by a song sang by Lori Campbell. A festive meal was then enjoyed by all as Lori again sang to entertain the crowd.

 

It was then time for the awards portion of the evening, starting off with the Rookie of the Year awards. Those receiving the awards were:

 

Mosquitos: Kevin Hackett
Minneapolis Mod Lites: Nate Ginest
IMCA Hobby Stocks: Casey Gilmore
Sportsman Modifieds: Brady Schoen
IMCA Stock Cars: Wylie Pumarlo
IMCA Modifieds: Danny Morrison

 

Then attention was set to the 60 drivers who received awards for finishing in the top 10 of the point standings for each of their divisions. Those drivers were:

 

Mosquitos: 10th-Allen Rice, 9th-Larry Stepanek, 8th-Corey Burch, 7th-Josh Haesemeyer, 6th-DeEtta Forsberg, 5th-Allen Thornton, 4th-Alex Loveless, 3rd-Rashelle Monasmith, 2nd-Brian Davidson, 1st-Kevin Hackett

 

Minneapolis Mod Lites: 10th-Tyler Bradshaw, 9th-Elmo Lane, 8th-Jeanie Rodie, 7th-Bob Powell, 6th-Nick Watts, 5th-Devin Krahl, 4th-Tony Drummond, 3rd-Bud Lee, 2nd-Brandon Gray, 1st-Nate Ginest

 

IMCA Hobby Stocks: 10th-Casey Gilmore, 9th-Bill Clanton, 8th-Shaylon Holloway, 7th-Dennis Berry, 6th-Jason Nelssen, 5th-Scott Cossel, 4th-GW Fuller, 3rd-Brent Schoen, 2nd-Dustin Forsberg, 1st-BJ Dauer

 

Sportsman Modifieds: 10th-Josh Rice, 9th-Mark Smith, 8th-Troy Wachsnicht, 7th-Tyler Frye, 6th-Rod Klinkner, 5th-Kyle Chase, 4th-Chris Rohloff, 3rd-Tyler Post, 2nd-Brady Schoen, 1st-Ryan Ohlde

 

IMCA Stock Cars: 10th-Tracy Holloway, 9th-Scot Granzella, 8th-Arnold Williams, 7th-Daren Dolton, 6th-Terry Franz, 5th-Wylie Pumarlo, 4th-Jeff Wessling, 3rd-Geoff Jermark, 2nd-Jim Stolzenburg, 1st-Martin Newlin

 

IMCA Modifieds: 10th-Mark Zorn, 9th-Kenny Cross, 8th-Jeff Welsh, 7th-Danny Morrison, 6th-Gary Clements, 5th-Jarrod Johnston, 4th-Danny Morrison Jr., 3rd-Brian Knoell, 2nd-Kurt Johnston, 1st-Dave Hardesty

 

Drivers were also recognized for perfect attendence. Those drivers were:

 

Alex Colosimo, Allen Thornton, Alex Loveless, Rashelle Monasmith, Kevin Hackett, Bob Powell, Nick Watts, Devin Krahl, Tony Drummond, Bud Lee, Brandon Gray, Nate Ginest, Dennis Berry, Scott Cossel, Brent Schoen, Dustin Forsberg, BJ Dauer, Doug Baccus, Josh Rice, Mark Smith, Rod Klinkner, Kyle Chase, Chris Rohloff, Tyler Post, Brady Schoen, Ryan Ohlde, Jeff Wessling, Geoff Jermark, Jim Stolzenburg, Martin Newlin, Larry Sutton, Danny Morrison, Gary Clements, Jarrod Johnston, Danny Morrison Jr., Brian Knoell, Kurt Johnston, and Dave Hardesty.

 

Attention was then turned to the Sportsman of the Year in each division, as voted that night be all of the drivers in each division. Those receiving this award were:

 

Mosquitos: Shelbie Thummel
Minneapolis Mod Lites: Brandon Gray
IMCA Hobby Stocks: Dennis Berry
Sportsman Modifieds: Mark Smith and Brady Schoen
IMCA Stock Cars: Geoff Jermark
IMCA Modifieds: Wes O'Bannon and Danny Morrison Jr.

 

To finish off the award ceremony the Landstar Hard Luck of the Year Award was given to IMCA Hobby Stock driver Dustin Forsberg after he lost the points championship on the last lap of the last race.

 

Track official Ronny Robins then took to the stage to discuss what will be new for 2008, which included:

 

An enclosed tech area
Larger, wider burm around the infield
Reconfiguration of track surface
Clay racing surface
Adding a guardrail on the backstretch above the barriers
Higher safety barriers in turns 1&2
A safer exit off the racetrack starting in turn 3
A LED message board for sponsors
Races start at 7
Grass in the infield by fall of 2008
Points fund money in all classes, based on 50/50 tickets. 50% of the money raised per night goes to a lucky winner and the rest will be put into the points fund.

 

He also explained that in 2009 the Sportsman Modified division will be IMCA Sanctioned Northern Sport Mods and must follow by all rules except for the engine. By 2010 all engines must conform to IMCA Northern Sport Mod rules.

 

He then brought Mike Hughes to the front of the crowd to explain the details for the Kansas State Shootout which will take place September 20-21. These details will be available on the Minneapolis Raceway website in the near future.

 

Promoter Terry Robins then took center stage to speak briefly about what to expect in 2008 as well.

 

The banquet came to a conclusion as the party began with karaoke as racers showed people they could sing to (or try to).

 

Attendees left knowing that race season isn't that far away as practice is set to take place at the end of March.