Author Topic: 2009 STA-BIL Nationals Weekend Recap  (Read 2648 times)

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Offline mrmowitall

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2009 STA-BIL Nationals Weekend Recap
« on: September 11, 2009, 04:02:06 pm »
September 10, 2009

The 2009 STA-BIL Nationals Weekend is in the books, and what a great weekend it was.  With three rain-out races to run, two TV networks on site, a large field of racers and families to attend to, the Performance Mower Sports Expo (PME), Induction Ceremonies for the USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum of America, Saturday Lunch, Racer Awards Banquet, Friday Night Seafood Throwdown, points to tabulate and schedules to meet, the weekend promised to be challenging for everyone. I am thrilled that it all ran smoothly, and am thrilled with the outcomes.  Except for a few racer injuries, we can say we hit this one out of the park.

Of special note are the following awards:

USLMRA President’s Awards:
Charlie Bowen
Steve Winkler
Kerry Evans
Tracy Donihue
Henry Macarty
Doc Kuhfeldt
Chris Webb
Tim Wood
Larry Moreland
Rodney Peeler

Spirit & Spark
Steve Barber
Jeremy Peppin
Gordon Peeler
Jackie Andrews

Honorary Awards:
Dave Hertel Mowtivation Award:  Lou Filos
Charles Powell Mr. Mowjangles Award:  Kerry Evans
Dubba G Everyman Award:  Bobby Cleveland
Mace Mullins Crew Chief Award:  Kevin Penne

Special Awards:
Rookie of the Year, Junior Prepared:  Pierce Benton
Rookie of the Year, Adult Classes:  Kevin Repa
Most Improved Driver:  Manny Torres
Driver of the Year:  Richard Webb

Photos of the weekend are on line via Powell’s Imaging
www.powellsimaging.com
Then click on LifePicsPro, then click on More Galleries

On behalf of the entire USLMRA, thank you to Tim Wood, Larry Moreland, Al Myers, John and Bill Vinka, Chris Macri and Matt Strine, the venue crew in Delaware for a fantastic job in preparing the venue:  grass (rain out) track, Nationals track, PME Building, pits and grounds.

An extra special way to mow to Tim Wood, Larry Moreland and the Delaware County Agricultural Society for providing the food for Saturday’s lunch and Sunday Awards Banquet Breakfast.  Thanks to EOP Pro/Kerry Evans and National Karting Alliance/Joe Janowski for the Friday Night Seafood Throwdown.

In addition, I would like to recognize the efforts of Rodney Peeler, President of the East Tennessee Lawn Mower Racing Association for his efforts as a National Chief Steward this year, for hosting two STA-BIL US Points race weekends and for serving on the USLMRA Steering Committee.   Rodney Peeler is one of the mainstays in USLMRA and his leadership and attitude serve us all well.  His wife Bobbie, daughter Mariah and father Gordon are a big part of our USLMRA family.   Thank you Rodney!

Congratulations again to the Inaugural class of Inductees into the USLMRA National Lawn Mower Racing Hall of Fame & Museum of America:

Twelve Mile Indiana Lions Club
Jim Gavin, British Lawn Mower Racing Association
Racing Ray Mrocks
Chuck Miller



STA-BIL NATIONALS CROWNS CHAMPIONS
By Michael Turner
The 17th annual STA-BIL National Championship in Delaware, Ohio, wrapped up the points season for many of the United States Lawn Mower Racing Association chapters.
Racers from all over the United States converged on the Delaware County Fairgrounds over the Labor Day weekend, and the tone was set early for competitive racing.
Pierce Benton wrapped up his Junior Prepared campaign with a dominating performance in the feature. Benton posted the fastest lap (18.66 mph) as well as the overall checkers on his 006 hotrod, posting a time of 6:30.74.1.
Dawn Filos finished second on her 43C machine, three-seconds off the pace. Mariah Peeler finished third on her 97, followed by Lauren Filos and John Michael Bell rounding out the top five.
In the IMOW division, Michael Paccione set the pace all evening as he cruised to the finals victory, beating a hard-charging Wally Bender by .221 seconds.
Chris Vanmaastricht finished third while Pat Sullivan, piloting Benton ride, finished fourth and Steve Winkler fifth to round out the top five.
The Sullivans had the machines to beat in the A/P class as Pete Sullivan posted the fast time on the final lap to edge Pat Sullivan for the feature win.
Joe Pearce finished third, John Iezzattie fourth and Matthew Tucker fifth in the feature.
In the S/P class, Jason Brown drove the fastest machine around the Delaware track, picking up the feature win on his 003 machine.
Kenneth Williams finished second, followed by Wally Bender, Joe Pearce and Jackie Andrews rounding out the top five.
In the C/P class, Pete Sullivan had the mower to beat, beating Rick Eichenberger by over one-half second in the feature.
Robert Ginn posted the fastest speed on the night, topping the chart at 25.557 mph, but mechanical failure found Ginn in the pits at the checkers.
Lee Grover finished third while Don Whitehead and Sam Rogers rounded out the top five finishers.
Jayson Mikula flexed his muscle early in the B/P finals, and went on to win the feature on his No.4 mower.
James Mikula finished second, followed by John Vinka and Jason Brown, who posted the fastest lap on the night at 24.516 miles an hour.
Rodney Peeler rounded out the top five.
In the F/X class, Greg Honchell took home the biggest trophy after riding his No.52 around the track for a first-place finish. Matt Tucker finished second, followed by Dan Mongan, Christopher Macri and Robert Sparbal rounding out the top five.

Stay tuned to www.letsmow.com blog for airdates on Outdoor Channel.  Fox Sports Net will air one 30-minute show on Sunday, Sept 27, 2009, at 11:00am Eastern.  More details soon posted on www.letsmow.com blog.

Way to MOW!

Bruce Kaufman
Mr. Mow It All
Founder & Past President
U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association
Founded April 1, 1992

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