Paul T. Harkenrider (Rochester, NY) | The Patriot Sprint Tour awards banquet was held at the Staybridge Suites on the Genesee River in Rochester, NY this past Saturday where Jared Zimbardi took home nearly $10,000 cash for his banner season in 2016 scoring five American Series wins and three Canadian Series wins.
The series paid out an incredible $35,000 in cash to 23 different drivers thanking them for their support of yet another fantastic 2016 season.
Multiple special awards were also given away throughout the night. Steve Glover was honored for best appearing car. The team of Scott and Dave Just took home the Patriot of the year for their never give up attitude as well as the hard luck award. Paul Habeck took home the sportsmanship award, while Tony DiFonzo received the Mechanic of the year award. Kyle Drum was rewarded with a check and plaque for the just missed the points award finishing 13th in 2016 despite his two series wins on the tour.
Pete Richardson was the recipient of the ‘worst draw’ award where he had an average draw of 35.29 that was recorded during the entire 2016 season.
Dave Just was the Evingham Site Excavation Dash Series Champion, Jared Zimbardi took home the Patriot Tank Lines Hard Charger award along with the Danny Willmes Enterprises Lap leader award.
Dan Bennett completed his first full time season with the Patriots earning the Newcomer award.
The dedication to Motorsports award went to Curtis Berleue for his extremely hard work and dedication in his first year as the series photographer and graphic designer for the 2016 season.
Patriot Sprint Tour President, Mike Emhof, ended the evening with a special thank you to all the marketing partners, sponsors, and teams who supported the series in 2016. Mike stated, “It is with the support of our wonderful marketing partners that continue to increase their contributions and make the series grow into one of the top run racing organizations in the region”.
He also called up his entire staff making it known that none of this would be possible without each and every one of them.
The series also paid tribute to Jerry Farrell, who is retiring from his duties as Pit Steward after ten years of excellent service.
Emhof ended the night with minor changes to the 2016 season that will be made and should be on the lookout for them during the off season for a possible big announcement for a huge race weekend at Race Tracks that the Patriot Sprint Tour have never been too.
The Patriot Sprint Tour would like to thank all the great facilities the organization they were able to visit in 2016: Merrittville Speedway, Canandaigua Motorsports Park, Albany Saratoga Speedway, Fonda Speedway, Ransomville Speedway, Fulton Speedway, Outlaw Speedway, Selinsgrove Speedway, Oshweken Speedway, Woodhull Raceway, Little Valley Speedway, Mercer Raceway Park, Eriez Speedway, Raceway 7, Stateline Speedway, Brockville Ontario Speedway, Cornwall Motor Speedway, Brewerton Speedway, and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.
\The Patriot Sprint Tour shares a heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the marketing partners that allow our series to grow. A-Verdi Storage Containers, Bonnell Collision Center , Evingham Site Excavation, Fine Touch Collision, Hoosier Racing Tire / Bicknell Race Products, Einstein Construction Group, Shuttleworth Seal Coating, Danny Willmes Enterprises, Stampede Steakhouse, Patriot Tank Lines, , Casey’s Truck Salvage , Mike Emhof Motorsports Inc, Champion Power Equipment, and ASI Racewear.
The Patriot Sprint Tour also passes along a big thank you to our vendor product sponsor give-a-way program which they provided nearly $7,500 worth of parts to. Included in this program for 2016 was, Brodix, Crow, DHP, DMI, Eagle, FSR, GME, Insinger, Keizer, Maxim, MEM, Inc., M&W, Randy’s Filters, Rod End Supply, Saldana, Ti22, Ti64, Top Flight, Wilwood, Winters, & Xtreme.
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