| 1/16/2011 MSA celebrates ten years of racing while honoring their 2010 award recipients, releases 2011 schedule, and makes some new announcements Article and photos by Todd Ridgeway MSA Media |
The Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) opened up their 2011 season with their annual
awards banquet of the previous year in Westlake Ohio this past weekend as they also celebrated
ten years of wild open wheel racing. Driver “Chargin” Charlie Schultz and the May Motorsports
Team where seated at the head table and congratulated by all whom attended on their 2010
Championship. This was the first for Schultz, but the fourth for the May motorsports team. Both
Schultz and team owner David May where quick to thank all in attendance for their support, as well
as the MSA officials and board. Schultz summed it up best when ending his acceptance speech he
thanked his Mother and Father. “With out them I would not be here doing what I love, racing cars,”
said Schultz. May went on to thank his many sponsors who included Advanced Auto Parts and
Landrum Springs. Both Champions received leather varsity type jackets with their names and
Champion of 2010 on them as well as two very tall trophies.
As the top 15 in points where honored, so where many special awards presented through out the
evening. The Steven Stout headed up team captured the Crew of the Year and Owner of the Year
awards, both Stout cars finished second and third in the points with drivers “Liquid” Lou Cicconi
and Trent Stephens. Driver Jon Henes whom captured two very popular wins during the 2010
season was honored with the Most Improved Driver Award and the most prestigious of all MSA
awards the Ralph Jaycox Achievement Award. In a turn of great sportsmanship Henes accepted his
improved driver award but then called young Brandon Fisher to the stage and turned the award
over to him, saying he deserved it, he did an outstanding job in 2010. Henes finished fifth in the final
points, while Fisher finished in seventh. Third generation driver Zach Gibson was honored as the
Rookie of the Year and also received the Hard Luck Driver of the Year award. Long time
Supermodified shoe Gene Lee Gibson was honored as the Terry Gibson Spirit Award winner. A very
emotional moment for the Gibson family that was in attendance as this award was named after Gene
Lee’s Brother who was fatally injured at Toledo speedway in a Supermodified accident just three
years ago.
awards banquet of the previous year in Westlake Ohio this past weekend as they also celebrated
ten years of wild open wheel racing. Driver “Chargin” Charlie Schultz and the May Motorsports
Team where seated at the head table and congratulated by all whom attended on their 2010
Championship. This was the first for Schultz, but the fourth for the May motorsports team. Both
Schultz and team owner David May where quick to thank all in attendance for their support, as well
as the MSA officials and board. Schultz summed it up best when ending his acceptance speech he
thanked his Mother and Father. “With out them I would not be here doing what I love, racing cars,”
said Schultz. May went on to thank his many sponsors who included Advanced Auto Parts and
Landrum Springs. Both Champions received leather varsity type jackets with their names and
Champion of 2010 on them as well as two very tall trophies.
As the top 15 in points where honored, so where many special awards presented through out the
evening. The Steven Stout headed up team captured the Crew of the Year and Owner of the Year
awards, both Stout cars finished second and third in the points with drivers “Liquid” Lou Cicconi
and Trent Stephens. Driver Jon Henes whom captured two very popular wins during the 2010
season was honored with the Most Improved Driver Award and the most prestigious of all MSA
awards the Ralph Jaycox Achievement Award. In a turn of great sportsmanship Henes accepted his
improved driver award but then called young Brandon Fisher to the stage and turned the award
over to him, saying he deserved it, he did an outstanding job in 2010. Henes finished fifth in the final
points, while Fisher finished in seventh. Third generation driver Zach Gibson was honored as the
Rookie of the Year and also received the Hard Luck Driver of the Year award. Long time
Supermodified shoe Gene Lee Gibson was honored as the Terry Gibson Spirit Award winner. A very
emotional moment for the Gibson family that was in attendance as this award was named after Gene
Lee’s Brother who was fatally injured at Toledo speedway in a Supermodified accident just three
years ago.
| The 2010 Championship winning drver Charlie Schultz (L) and team owner David May (R) celebrate with two very large trophies and new Championship jackets |
| Zach Gibson (L) was awarded the Hard Luck Driver of the Year and the Rookie of the Year, and his Uncle Gene Lee Gibson was the Terry Gibson Spirit Award winner. |
| The Gibson family was on hand for the presentation of the Terry Gibson Spirit Award named in honor of thier late Brother. From L to R is Third generation driver Zach Gibson, Brothers Jeff, Gene Lee, and Larry. It was an emotional moment as long time Supermodified racer Gene Lee Gibson was awarded the award. |
Other award winners included Sportsman of the Year Rich Reid tenth in points, MSA Support Award
Jack Smith eighth in points, Mechanic of the Year David May, and the Best Appearing Car award
went to Randy Burch sixth in points and the Gillingham team. The future also looks bright for the
MSA as not only did Henes knock down to checkers in 2010, but veteran racer Tim Ice took home
two of his own, including the wild non wing event, on the heels of a fourth in points in a second May
Motorsports car. First time checkered flag heat winners where also awarded which included the
young guns of Matt Palmer, Brandon Fisher, Zach Gibson, Brian Sobus, and Jimmy Paller. Matt
“The Cat” Palmer was also honored with the ninth points finishing position.
Many key announcements where made during the evening as a board meeting was conducted
earlier in the day at the host hotel conference center. The 2011 schedule was released which
includes 13 events for the new up coming season. It all kicks off April 15 at ACE Speedway in
Altamahaw, NC, that will be followed throughout the season with five races at Sandusky (OH), two at
Lorain (OH), one each at both ARCA tracks of Toledo (OH) and Flat Rock (MI), and one at Oswego
(NY). Two new venues come on board which include South Bend Speedway (IN) and Motordrome
Speedway (PA), each will hold one event, look to the MSA web sight for more details and news.
There could yet be one addition at a later date, but according to MSA advisor Kevin Jaycox this is
the first time in MSA history that some tracks wanted dates and he had to turn them down, a 13 race
schedule with one more possible is a pretty good run for 2011. Longtime racer, friend to all, and
MSA President Randy Burch announced that after 32 years of racing he is hanging up his helmet.
Burch caught everyone by surprise with that announcement. Perhaps the biggest news is the
addition of a new associate sponsor in Adkins Glass out of Sandusky, Ohio and a new title sponsor
in Town Money Saver. The MSA will now be known as “The Midwest Supermodified Association
presented by Town Money Saver.”
Jack Smith eighth in points, Mechanic of the Year David May, and the Best Appearing Car award
went to Randy Burch sixth in points and the Gillingham team. The future also looks bright for the
MSA as not only did Henes knock down to checkers in 2010, but veteran racer Tim Ice took home
two of his own, including the wild non wing event, on the heels of a fourth in points in a second May
Motorsports car. First time checkered flag heat winners where also awarded which included the
young guns of Matt Palmer, Brandon Fisher, Zach Gibson, Brian Sobus, and Jimmy Paller. Matt
“The Cat” Palmer was also honored with the ninth points finishing position.
Many key announcements where made during the evening as a board meeting was conducted
earlier in the day at the host hotel conference center. The 2011 schedule was released which
includes 13 events for the new up coming season. It all kicks off April 15 at ACE Speedway in
Altamahaw, NC, that will be followed throughout the season with five races at Sandusky (OH), two at
Lorain (OH), one each at both ARCA tracks of Toledo (OH) and Flat Rock (MI), and one at Oswego
(NY). Two new venues come on board which include South Bend Speedway (IN) and Motordrome
Speedway (PA), each will hold one event, look to the MSA web sight for more details and news.
There could yet be one addition at a later date, but according to MSA advisor Kevin Jaycox this is
the first time in MSA history that some tracks wanted dates and he had to turn them down, a 13 race
schedule with one more possible is a pretty good run for 2011. Longtime racer, friend to all, and
MSA President Randy Burch announced that after 32 years of racing he is hanging up his helmet.
Burch caught everyone by surprise with that announcement. Perhaps the biggest news is the
addition of a new associate sponsor in Adkins Glass out of Sandusky, Ohio and a new title sponsor
in Town Money Saver. The MSA will now be known as “The Midwest Supermodified Association
presented by Town Money Saver.”