2008 Banquet

2008 Money Trail Awards Banquet

2/16/08 - Sheraton Reading Hotel

Recap:

Reading, PA -- Maple Grove's annual Money Trail awards banquet honoring the 2007 Money Trail Series champions took place Saturday, February 16, at the Sheraton Reading Hotel. Popular Maple Grove Announcer Mike Bassin emceed the ceremony.

The class champions in each of the five eliminator categories were honored: David Deeds from Super Eliminator, Mike Jetter from Top Bike Eliminator, Jed Knarr from Jr. Dragster Eliminator and Paul Werner took home the top honors for both Pro and Street Eliminators.

In addition to honoring the class champions, Positions 2 – 10 in final points in Super, Pro, and Jr. Dragster Eliminators; 2 – 8 in Street Eliminator and 2 – 5 in Top Bike Eliminator were also recognized for their achievements in the 2007 Money Trail Series.

Stauffer Family representative Mike Lewis introduced eight new inductees to the newly completed Walk of Fame. Bricks will be engraved with the names of: Walt Woolwine, Terry Bickhart and John Ernesto from The Reading Eagle; John Gardella, John Price and John Howell from Castrol; Mark Stauffer, President of Maple Grove Development Corporation; and NHRA’s founder, the late Wally Parks. These individuals have all played major roles in developing Maple Grove Raceway into the world class facility that it is today.

Lewis also presented the rarely awarded Alfred S. Stauffer Memorial Award to Rinox Corporation and Stine’s Designs. The collaborative efforts of Rinox Pavers and Stine’s Designs were crucial to the completion of the Walk of Fame and Winners Circle, which are located behind the souvenir building behind the pit-side grandstands. Matt Swartz accepted on behalf of Rinox Corporation and Ross Stine Accepted for Stine’s Designs.

Several Appreciation awards were also given at the banquet. Recipients include: Dick Jenkins, for his many years of service to Maple Grove facilities and operations; Kathy Phillips, who has worked at Maple Grove Raceway for 43years; Daniele Holland and Melissa Kerns, who put in countless hours leading Team Maple Grove as captains at the 2007 Summit E.T. Finals and Bob Lang, Dave Mohn and Tony Romano from the NHRA Division 1 office for their hard work contributing to the success of several of the 2007 North Eastern Division events, including the Toyo Tires Nationals in August. Several sponsors who have truly stepped up to the plate in the 2007 season with their involvement at Maple Grove were also honored with Appreciation Awards: Gold Rush Trailers, Ransome Caterpillar, S&W Race Cars, Universal Technical Institute, Conestoga Buildings, Bortek Industries, Geoff Penske Buick-GMC, Coca Cola, Goodyear, Parkway Cleaners, Ray’s Yamaha-Victory-Polaris, PC Richard and Son, Sunoco Race Fuels, ATI Performance Products, VEHattire and Jesel.

To wrap up the night, special balloted awards which were voted on by the Money Trail Racers were given. Dave Deeds was voted both Top Super Eliminator Car and most improved driver, Top Pro Eliminator Car went to Dan Smith, Most Improved Pro Driver was Brock Moshier, Top Motorcycle went to Mike Jetter, Top Street Eliminator car went to Paul Werner, Most Improved Street Eliminator Driver was Tim Rambo, Top Jr. Dragster was unanimously awarded to Jed Knarr and the Most improved Jr. Dragster Driver was Kelli Witkowski. ATI Performance Products was voted the Top Money Trail Sponsor for 2007, and the best appearing car went to Dan Smith’s shinny blue Beretta.

By the end of the night, over $35,000 in purse money, awards, and contingency awards was given to the Money Trail top finishing competitors at the Awards Banquet. This could not have been done without the extraordinary support of the Maple Grove Raceway sponsors.

The Money Trail Program, sponsored by Sunoco Race fuels, enters its 37^th consecutive year in 2008. The 21 race series, which now averages over 300 entries at each event, will continue to offer the same five competition categories: Super, Pro, Street, Top Bike and Jr. Dragster Eliminators in the 2008 season. Points accumulated by competitors in each class will go towards fielding a team for the 2008 North Eastern Division Summit E.T. Finals to be held at Maple Grove Raceway September 25 - 27, 2008.

2008 Money Trail Banquet Photos

All Photos Courtesy Howard Hoch