The complete 2011 Steve Stout ACME Racing team, 2011 MSA Champions
Todd Ridgeway Photo
MSA celebrates top point contenders, Champion Trent Stephens,
and the ACME Racing Team
Todd Ridgeway
MSA Media
The Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) presented by Town Money Saver opened up their
2012 season with their annual awards banquet of the previous year in Westlake Ohio this past
weekend in grand style. 2012 Driving points Champion Trent Stephens and the Steve Stout led
ACME Racing Team where seated at the head table as honors where bestowed. Just like Charlie
Schultz last year, this was the first for Stephens. However, for ACME Racing, it was their fifth time
at the top spot. When the big award came down both Stephens and team owner Stout where
quick to thank all in attendance for their support, as well as the MSA officials and board.
Stephens thanked his many supporters including his family, sponsors, and the Stout ACME
Racing Team for putting him in the best equipment. He also said, “Thank you to team Stout for
taking a chance on me three years ago and putting me in the best Supermodified out there.
Without both them and my family I could not do this.” Stout also went on to thank his many
supporters, his race team of loyal helpers, and the MSA for giving them a format to race on.
On the heels of three feature wins, five fast times, including a new all-time track record at
Motordrome (PA) Speedway, the third year pilot nailed down the 2011 MSA title. Having started in
Quarter Midgets at the age of seven, Stephens won his very first race he ever entered and the
streak continues 15 years later. An already storied career at this young age, Stephens now holds
six total Supermodified checkered flags, and nine checkers in the four years before that in the
ranks of the pavement 305 Sprint Car Series, along with the 2006 Sandusky (OH) Speedway open
wheel Championship. At the end of the day, to date Stephens holds 19 total points
Championships and over 165 feature victories in various forms of open wheel competition. It is
no wonder the Steve Stout ran No. 19 team choose Stephens as the pilot to get them back to the
head table at the MSA Banquet. The announcement was also made by team owner Stout that D J
Shullick Jr. will be returning to the wheel of the Stout No. 49 entrée in 2012. Shullick Jr. replaces
Lou Cicconi as Cicconi and MSA shoe Tim Ice both venture off to challenge the ISMA group in
2012. Cicconi finished second in MSA points in 2011 in the 49 Stout car, and Shullick Jr. has
taken Stout to the Championship head table multiple times as he was the driver several years
ago.
Perhaps the biggest and best news of the evening was that Town Money Saver and Adkins Glass
will both return as title sponsors of the 2012 MSA campaign. With their added help the 2012 MSA
Champion next year at this time will receive the handsome check of $3000 big ones, runner up
will come in at $1400, and third in points will cash a $1000 check. The schedule was released with
a fine 12 race 2012 lined up. Staying closer to home the series will campaign with six events at
Sandusky (OH) Speedway, two at Lorain County (OH) Speedway, and one each at Toledo and
Midvale Speedways in Ohio, along with the Michigan tracks of Flat Rock and Auto City. As the top
12 in points where honored several key awards were presented.
Racer AJ Lesiecki was honored as the 2011 MSA Rookie of the Year as well as getting the Hard
Luck Award. The Most Improved Driver award went to Bobby Dawson who scored three victories
in 2011. The Best Appearing Car award was a tie as both the No. 09 Jack Smith team and No. 49
Acme Stout team were honored. Steve Stout also grabbed the Mechanic of the Year and Ralph
Jaycox Achievement awards. Reed Salvage team was honored as the Crew of the Year as long
time car owner Ron Henes was named Car Owner of the Year. The Terry Gibson Determination
award went to car owner Wayne Palmer and veteran racer Tim Ice was named Sportsman of the
Year. For continuing support of the MSA Supermodifieds Lorain County (OH) Speedway was
afforded a special award of gratitude which was well deserved. MSA Woman of the Year went to
Amanda Burch, and longtime MSA scorer and statistics keeper Jeff Lickfelt was honored with the
Support of the Year award. Media Member of the Year went to the team of Robert Gill (RG
Designs) and Bobby Gangwer.
Todd Ridgeway Photo
MSA celebrates top point contenders, Champion Trent Stephens,
and the ACME Racing Team
Todd Ridgeway
MSA Media
The Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) presented by Town Money Saver opened up their
2012 season with their annual awards banquet of the previous year in Westlake Ohio this past
weekend in grand style. 2012 Driving points Champion Trent Stephens and the Steve Stout led
ACME Racing Team where seated at the head table as honors where bestowed. Just like Charlie
Schultz last year, this was the first for Stephens. However, for ACME Racing, it was their fifth time
at the top spot. When the big award came down both Stephens and team owner Stout where
quick to thank all in attendance for their support, as well as the MSA officials and board.
Stephens thanked his many supporters including his family, sponsors, and the Stout ACME
Racing Team for putting him in the best equipment. He also said, “Thank you to team Stout for
taking a chance on me three years ago and putting me in the best Supermodified out there.
Without both them and my family I could not do this.” Stout also went on to thank his many
supporters, his race team of loyal helpers, and the MSA for giving them a format to race on.
On the heels of three feature wins, five fast times, including a new all-time track record at
Motordrome (PA) Speedway, the third year pilot nailed down the 2011 MSA title. Having started in
Quarter Midgets at the age of seven, Stephens won his very first race he ever entered and the
streak continues 15 years later. An already storied career at this young age, Stephens now holds
six total Supermodified checkered flags, and nine checkers in the four years before that in the
ranks of the pavement 305 Sprint Car Series, along with the 2006 Sandusky (OH) Speedway open
wheel Championship. At the end of the day, to date Stephens holds 19 total points
Championships and over 165 feature victories in various forms of open wheel competition. It is
no wonder the Steve Stout ran No. 19 team choose Stephens as the pilot to get them back to the
head table at the MSA Banquet. The announcement was also made by team owner Stout that D J
Shullick Jr. will be returning to the wheel of the Stout No. 49 entrée in 2012. Shullick Jr. replaces
Lou Cicconi as Cicconi and MSA shoe Tim Ice both venture off to challenge the ISMA group in
2012. Cicconi finished second in MSA points in 2011 in the 49 Stout car, and Shullick Jr. has
taken Stout to the Championship head table multiple times as he was the driver several years
ago.
Perhaps the biggest and best news of the evening was that Town Money Saver and Adkins Glass
will both return as title sponsors of the 2012 MSA campaign. With their added help the 2012 MSA
Champion next year at this time will receive the handsome check of $3000 big ones, runner up
will come in at $1400, and third in points will cash a $1000 check. The schedule was released with
a fine 12 race 2012 lined up. Staying closer to home the series will campaign with six events at
Sandusky (OH) Speedway, two at Lorain County (OH) Speedway, and one each at Toledo and
Midvale Speedways in Ohio, along with the Michigan tracks of Flat Rock and Auto City. As the top
12 in points where honored several key awards were presented.
Racer AJ Lesiecki was honored as the 2011 MSA Rookie of the Year as well as getting the Hard
Luck Award. The Most Improved Driver award went to Bobby Dawson who scored three victories
in 2011. The Best Appearing Car award was a tie as both the No. 09 Jack Smith team and No. 49
Acme Stout team were honored. Steve Stout also grabbed the Mechanic of the Year and Ralph
Jaycox Achievement awards. Reed Salvage team was honored as the Crew of the Year as long
time car owner Ron Henes was named Car Owner of the Year. The Terry Gibson Determination
award went to car owner Wayne Palmer and veteran racer Tim Ice was named Sportsman of the
Year. For continuing support of the MSA Supermodifieds Lorain County (OH) Speedway was
afforded a special award of gratitude which was well deserved. MSA Woman of the Year went to
Amanda Burch, and longtime MSA scorer and statistics keeper Jeff Lickfelt was honored with the
Support of the Year award. Media Member of the Year went to the team of Robert Gill (RG
Designs) and Bobby Gangwer.
Team owner Steve Stout (L) and driver Trent Stephens (R) celebrate thier 2011 MSA Championship
Todd Ridgeway Photo
Todd Ridgeway Photo
MSA Championship driver Trent Stephens with his very happy Mother and Father
Todd Ridgeway Photo
Todd Ridgeway Photo