10/26/08 2008 Oswego Speedway Awards Banquet
and Hall of Fame Induction Recap
By Dan Johnson
Oswego Speedway’s 2008 season officially came to an end Saturday night, as the Hall of Fame
and Awards Banquet in the Oneida-Mohawk rooms at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New
York. End of year awards, prize money, and six well deserving Hall of Fame inductions were the
headliners as the curtain was brought down on a successful 2008 campaign at the lakeside oval.
Sponsor recognition kicked off the awards portion of the evening as Novelis representatives
Mike Domicola and Carol Dillabough were thanked by speedway officials for their involvement
with the supermodified division. Domicola and Dillabough, in turn, gave a trophy to speedway
owners Pat Furlong and Steve Gioia for their continued support in the can collection area, with
the main goal of building a Habitat for Humanity house in the city of Oswego.
and Hall of Fame Induction Recap
By Dan Johnson
Oswego Speedway’s 2008 season officially came to an end Saturday night, as the Hall of Fame
and Awards Banquet in the Oneida-Mohawk rooms at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New
York. End of year awards, prize money, and six well deserving Hall of Fame inductions were the
headliners as the curtain was brought down on a successful 2008 campaign at the lakeside oval.
Sponsor recognition kicked off the awards portion of the evening as Novelis representatives
Mike Domicola and Carol Dillabough were thanked by speedway officials for their involvement
with the supermodified division. Domicola and Dillabough, in turn, gave a trophy to speedway
owners Pat Furlong and Steve Gioia for their continued support in the can collection area, with
the main goal of building a Habitat for Humanity house in the city of Oswego.
Pathfinder Bank’s Jim Dowd recalled
his history at Oswego, as well being
main SBS series sponsor once
again. Dan Dorsey proudly took the
microphone and announced
Budweiser’s support for the 2009
Classic Week, which will be Bud’s
40th year as a speedway sponsor,
and 28th consecutive year it will be
known as, Budweiser Classic
Weekend.
his history at Oswego, as well being
main SBS series sponsor once
again. Dan Dorsey proudly took the
microphone and announced
Budweiser’s support for the 2009
Classic Week, which will be Bud’s
40th year as a speedway sponsor,
and 28th consecutive year it will be
known as, Budweiser Classic
Weekend.
Dan Dorsey proudly took the
microphone and announced
Budweiser's support for the 2009
Classic Week, which will be Bud’s 40th
year as a speedway sponsor, and 28th
consecutive year it will be known as,
Budweiser Classic Weekend.
microphone and announced
Budweiser's support for the 2009
Classic Week, which will be Bud’s 40th
year as a speedway sponsor, and 28th
consecutive year it will be known as,
Budweiser Classic Weekend.
Bobby Magner and Jerry Curran were officially inducted into the $1000 Club. The only way to
gain entrance in this elusive club is to win a supermodified feature at Oswego Speedway.
Magner and Curran, who grew up around the speedway as youngsters, fulfilled lifelong dreams
as they took their first wins in 2008.
gain entrance in this elusive club is to win a supermodified feature at Oswego Speedway.
Magner and Curran, who grew up around the speedway as youngsters, fulfilled lifelong dreams
as they took their first wins in 2008.
The Ed Clark Spirit Award was presented by former winner Brian “Roads” Conzone, to Ed’s
wife, Cathy. It was an emotional and popular presentation, as Cathy and Ed were inseparable at
the race track in years gone by, both extremely popular with officials, teams and fans.
wife, Cathy. It was an emotional and popular presentation, as Cathy and Ed were inseparable at
the race track in years gone by, both extremely popular with officials, teams and fans.
Speedway Recognition Awards were presented to “Red” the Eagle, who entertained fans
throughout the racing evenings in the summer. In a total surprise to him, Marketing Specialist
Steve Pryor was presented a Special Recognition Awards for him untiring work behind the
scenes at the speedway. Co-emcee Joe Marotta added, “Without Steve and his hard work, we
don’t know if we would even be here.”
throughout the racing evenings in the summer. In a total surprise to him, Marketing Specialist
Steve Pryor was presented a Special Recognition Awards for him untiring work behind the
scenes at the speedway. Co-emcee Joe Marotta added, “Without Steve and his hard work, we
don’t know if we would even be here.”
Speedway Recognition Awards were presented to “Red” the Eagle, who entertained fans
throughout the racing evenings in the summer. In a total surprise to him, Marketing Specialist
Steve Pryor was presented a Special Recognition Awards for him untiring work behind the
scenes at the speedway. Co-emcee Joe Marotta added, “Without Steve and his hard work, we
don’t know if we would even be here.”
throughout the racing evenings in the summer. In a total surprise to him, Marketing Specialist
Steve Pryor was presented a Special Recognition Awards for him untiring work behind the
scenes at the speedway. Co-emcee Joe Marotta added, “Without Steve and his hard work, we
don’t know if we would even be here.”
Samantha Todd picked up her Hoosier Mama,
Powder Puff trophy from her win in the derby late
in the year. The Powder Puff race was an
overwhelming hit, and the ladies kept the
grandstand on the edge of their seats as they
came across for the checkered flag.
Eagle Fan Club President Larry Lee
presented a check to Marg Mackereth, who
represented the Gibson family, as Terry
Gibson earned a check from the fan club.
Terry was taken from us in a racing accident
in July at Toledo Speedway
SBS Point money was next in line, as the top 20 in points came across the stage to accept their
hard earned checks from both the speedway and the Eagles Fan Club. Track Champion Kevin
Knopp thanked his family, crew, sponsors and any one that had a hand in giving him his first
SBS championship.
Supermodified drivers accepted their prize money next. Two time champion Otto Sitterly
recalled the story that brought him to his current ride in the Nicotra Team car, and how proud he
was to give longtime speedway supporter Johnny Nicotra his first championship
Krieg Heroth was Awarded the SBS Racing News Rookie of the Year, while Lou Levea Sr picked
up the Cleaning for a Reason Supermodified RoY award. Hoosier Tire presented trophies to
Gnomey Racing and Nicotra Racing Crew of the Year awards.
Steve Gioia Sales sponsored the Car Owner of the Year Awards, with Terry Solazzo
taking SBS honors, and Jake Ratcliff winning the supermodified honors
taking SBS honors, and Jake Ratcliff winning the supermodified honors
The saying “Save the best for last” came into play once again, as the highly anticipated Tony
White Memorial Award and Jim Shampine Memorial Award were the last honors given out.
Longtime speedway supporter, driver, crew man, and all around good guy, Chip Wood, won the
Tony White Memorial award. Chip and Tony were good friends for years, and no award could
mean more to Chip than winning the award in honor of his fallen friend.
Loyal speedway driver Craig Rayvals had a smile from ear to ear as his name was called in
winning the Shampine award.
White Memorial Award and Jim Shampine Memorial Award were the last honors given out.
Longtime speedway supporter, driver, crew man, and all around good guy, Chip Wood, won the
Tony White Memorial award. Chip and Tony were good friends for years, and no award could
mean more to Chip than winning the award in honor of his fallen friend.
Loyal speedway driver Craig Rayvals had a smile from ear to ear as his name was called in
winning the Shampine award.
The night was rounded out with the 2008 Oswego Speedway Hall of Fame inductions, as Bob
Goutermout, Mike Bond, Carol Haynes, Jerry Rich, Jim Ferlito and Doug Heveron all gained
entrance into prestigious Hall of Fame for their expertise and excellence in their fields.
Goutermout, Mike Bond, Carol Haynes, Jerry Rich, Jim Ferlito and Doug Heveron all gained
entrance into prestigious Hall of Fame for their expertise and excellence in their fields.
It was a successful close to a 2008 racing season that saw momentum gain weekly at Oswego
Speedway, with anticipation higher than it has been for years, as the 2009 racing season looms
ahead at Oswego Speedway
Speedway, with anticipation higher than it has been for years, as the 2009 racing season looms
ahead at Oswego Speedway
