New Egypt Speedway Honors Champions in Atlantic City

 

Atlantic City, NJ (Jan. 9, 2010) – This past Saturday night, newly crowned modified track champion Rick Laubach celebrated the biggest achievement of his racing career in front of a packed house full of drivers, crew members, fans, staff, and sponsors.  NES also honored their seven track champions as well as 50 other drivers in owner Bill Miscoski and Fred Vahlsing’s third season at the Plumsted oval. The awards ceremonies were held under the bright lights of Atlantic City, New Jersey at the Harrah’s Resort and Casino where over $32,000 in point fund awards was distributed.

 

The 37 year-old Hellertown, PA driver was able to claim his first ever track championship along with a $10,000 check in only his second year of competition at the New Egypt Speedway.  Laubach’s championship run would consist of 17 top ten finishes, including a streak of 8 straight top four finishes to end the season, culminating with his second win of the year in the final point race. During the season, he finished second on 8 occasions.  This consistency would lead him to win the biggest prize of the season, the 2009 Modified Championship.

 

After receiving all of his own awards for his 2009 track championship, Laubach then presented his own awards to his entire crew as they each received a token of his appreciation and gratitude.  “This is a great moment in my career and the people that are standing behind me made all of this possible.  This may never happen again and I want to make sure that we all enjoy this moment,” said Laubach.

 

Defending track champion Billy Pauch finished second in the final point standings after an amazing 10-win season.  Bob Drayton, who finished third, had a bounce back season as last year he finished tenth in points.  The biggest turn around season had to go to Mike McAleer, as the second-generation driver finished in fourth in points never have finishing in the top 10 before.  Local fan-favorite Ron John Koczon rounded out a stellar top five in this year’s point standings.

 

Also on the docket for the modified ranks was the BPG/Hooters Tri-Track Series between New Egypt, Bridgeport, and the Georgetown Speedways.  Rick Laubach was honored as the series champion once again after winning 2 series races throughout the season.  Laubach took home an additional $1,000 for his accomplishments throughout the series.  Also being recognized for their efforts were Jimmy Horton, Ryan Watt, Richie Pratt Jr., Jimmy Chester, Billy Pauch, and Wade Hendrickson who earned points fund money from the series.

 

Rocco Infante of Hamilton, NJ racked up his first ever title at NES by capturing this year’s Sportsman championship.  It was a dominating performance by this NES veteran. This season started off with back to back wins. These were his first of seven victories in the 12 features held in 2009.  In fact, only once did he finish outside of the top 7. From the first green flag of the season to the final checkered he left little doubt that 2009 would be his season as he flew to his first ever NES track title.  Mike Howardson drove to one victory in the season which came on the final points night to solidify his second place finish in the point standings.  Rounding out the top 5 in points who all had career seasons were George Quinlan, Tim Apgar, and J.T. Trstensky.

 

Another Hamilton, NJ driver stood on center stage as a track champion.  Todd Cray recorded his second straight title run in convincing fashion. Cray recorded 6 wins and never finished outside of the top 7 in all 11 events.  Former super stock champ George Quinlan had a fine runner-up finish in the point standings and Jason Bubeck had his best season yet as he finished third in the standings.  Rounding out the top 5 were Mick Search and Larry Bubeck.

 

The Advantage Financial-Cradle Rock Developers Rookie Series honored Hamilton, NJ’s DJ Ruppert as the 2009 Rookie Champion.  Ruppert was able to win on five straight occasions which propelled him to the $750 first place prize.    Finishing second in points was rookie driver Brian Roemer.  Roemer was the only other driver who was able to visit victory lane as he claimed the other four features in the series.  Rounding out the top 3 was teenager Ryan Simmons who was behind the wheel of a crate-1 sportsman and has made the decision to move up into the sportsman ranks.

 

2009 marked the third year for the Crate-1 divison at NES.  This year’s field literally grew each and every week just as it had in 2008.  By the end of the season a full field competitors were signing in each week at the track.  Hilltown, Pa’s Jon Haegele was recognized as this year’s Crate-1 champion.   In the first 7 races of the season, our champion built up a nice point lead by never finishing lower than 4th and capturing two feature wins. His third and final victory came on labor day weekend propelling him to his first ever New Egypt Speedway championship.  Ryan Forte and Rob Stump finished second and third in the standings while Gabe Fox and Bryan Kuhl rounded out the top 5.

 

Also in their third year of competition as a regular division at the speedway the top 5 drivers of the Outlaw Stock division were honored.  Last year it was Rich Mongeau taking top honors at the banquet and this time around it was his son Shannon’s turn.  This was third different champion in this extremely competitive class and what’s even more amazing is that this was Mongeau’s first year of dirt completion. After starting the season w/o a top five finish in his first 4 races, he broke out in a big way with 8 straight top five’s in the final 8 events including his first two career victories. A fourth place finish on the final night of the season clinched his first ever championship.  Vern McLaughlin chased Shanon to the end but came up just shy as he finished second with P.J. Oliver coming home third in points.  Rounding out the top 5 was John Carpenter and Rich Mongeau.

 

Loyalty awards were handed out to those drivers who competed in every race held in 2009.  5 Crate-1, 4 Outlaw Stocks 11 Super Stock, 8 Sportsman, and 6 Modified drivers all were members of the perfect attendance club.

 

Mechanic of the Year honors went to Dave Phillips.  Even though a championship was not in the cards for Dave and his team, his driver Bob Drayton came up two positions shy of a 2009 title.

 

Champion jackets were awarded to each division champion.  American Racer supplied beautiful jackets to all the NES track champs.

 

Other Specialty Awards:

Most Improved – Outlaw Stock:  Billy Wroble- Sportsman: Will Dupree - Modified: Mike McAleer

 

Star of Tomorrow – Outlaw Stock:  PJ Oliver – Crate 1:  Bryan Kuhl - Sportsman: DJ Ruppert - Modified: Frank Cozze Jr.

 

Determination Award – Outlaw Stock:  Jay Bundy - Super Stock: Larry Bubeck - Sportsman: J.T. Trstensky - Modified: Mike Hendershot

 

Best Appearing Car – Outlaw Stock:  Rich Mongeau – Crate 1:  Jon Haegele - Super Stock: Jason Bubeck - Sportsman:  Chad Barney - Modified: Rick Laubach

 

Corporate sponsors receiving special recognition for their support and involvement in the speedway's continued success were Mid State Communications, Advantage Financial Mortgage Bankers, Cradlerock Developers.

 

Emceeing the event was Pete Wortman and track photographer Jim Brown (who filled in for track announcer Pete Wortman).

 

The Tri-Track Series will once again take place in 2010.  Bridgeport and Georgetown will hosting the first two rounds of the series the previous two weeks in April.

New Egypt’s opening day will take place on Saturday, April 17 on Roemer’s Paintless Dent Repair Night will kick off round 3 of the Tri-Track Series.

 

The annual Winter Jam will once again take place at date to be determined in March.   The location will be the Cream Ridge Golf Course just north of the speedway on Rt. 539.  Pit spots, pit licenses, and any other questions regarding the upcoming season can all be tended to on this night.

 

For the latest information please call the speedway at 609-758-1900 or logo onto www.newegyptspeedway.net.