By Rich Vleck – ROCHESTER, NY | A record crowd saw a record-smashing cash point fund distributed on Saturday Night at the Patriot Sprint Tour Awards Banquet.
Sammy Reakes IV, of Palermo, NY, was officially crowned with his first career PST America Series Championship. Reakes won two races in his first full season on tour and never finished outside of the top 10. When combining all of his monies, “The Honeybadger” netted nearly $6000 in cash payout. Reakes also was declared to the have the best-appearing car, the Mechanic of the Year (Sam Reakes, father) and even recognized for his hard-luck when getting to Little Valley in July.
Jared Zimbardi 28, who resides in Bradford, PA, was also highly-acclaimed on the night, as “The Juice” scored his second consecutive PST Canada Series title. Zimbardi won a series-high five races in 2015, helping him also earn the Patriot Tank Lines Hard Charger of the Season and the Danny Willmes Enterprises Lap Leader Titles. All told, Zimbardi earned $5600 cash on the night.
A host of other drivers were honored on the night as over $44,000 cash was distributed, more than $12,000 more than 2014 or any other year.
Kyle Drum finished 2nd in PST America points for the 2nd time in his career, with the last being 2003. Jason Barney also scored his second runner-up finish in the PST Canada Series.
For the second straight year, Steve Collins, who finished 3rd in PST America Points, was the big give-away winner on the night, as he won the Panther Frameworx Raffle that had been conducted throughout the 2015 season. Collins, along with former PST America Champion Scott Kreutter, tied for the Evingham Site Excavation Four Laps of Fame Dash Series Championship.
Dave Just was declared as having the Worst Luck of the Draw, while his son Scott was given an Award for Sportsmanship. George Suprick was declared the Patriot of the Year for his many miles travelled to ensure perfect attendance. Jake Muench was declared the Outstanding Newcomer while A-Verdi Storage Containers Marketing Manager Mike Fitzsimmons was recognized for his Dedication to Motorsports.
To conclude the evening, PST Director Mike Emhof looked ahead to what should be a thrilling 2016 season. Emhof was happy to announce that many of the familiar tracks will return and that at least $44,000 will be paid out again next year.
Patriot Sprint Tour America Series Top 15 (Cash Pay Outs and Special Awards in Parentheses)
1. Sammy Reakes IV ($5950, Best Appearing Car, Hard Luck)
2. Kyle Drum ($3850)
3. Steve Collins ($3550, Dash Series Champion)
4. Dave Just ($2850, Worst Draw)
5. Scott Just ($2200, Sportsmanship)
6. George Suprick ($2250, Patriot of the Year)
7. Jared Zimbardi ($2100, Hard Charger of the Year, Lap Leader Award)
8. Tyler Graves ($1200)
9. Steven Hutchinson Jr. ($1550)
10. Jake Muench ($1000, Outstanding Newcomer)
11. Darryl Ruggles ($500)
12. Scott Kreutter ($600, Dash Series Champion)
13. Justin Barger ($150)
14. Bryan Howland ($150)
15. Steve Glover ($450)
Patriot Sprint Tour Canada Series Top 5 (Cash Pay Outs in Parentheses)
1. Jared Zimbardi ($3500)
2. Jason Barney ($2000)
3. Justin Martin ($1000)
4. Steve Poirier ($400)
5. Chris Jones ($300)
Total Cash Payout: $44,325
Other Special Awards
– Mechanic of the Year: Sam Reakes
– Dedication to Motors: Mike Fitzsimmons