Mar 28, 2021 04:30 PM EDT
OUTLAW SPEEDWAY IS ABLE TO HOST THE REGULAR SEASON 2020 AWARDS BANQUET
Super Matt Sheppard again walks off with the lion’s share of cash and awards.
(Dundee, NY) Amidst the Covid 19 Pandemic, the Outlaw Speedway was able to host the delayed 2020 Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 27, 2021. As part of the 6th Annual Outlaw Speedway Arnot Mall Car Show presented by Lane’s Yamaha track owner, Tyler Siri was able to reach an agreement with representatives of the Arnot Mall to use their massive banquet facility to host the yearly event.
“The timing was perfect, stated Siri. Generally, we would have had our banquet at Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, however with the current New York State protocol on mass gatherings that was not going to work this year because of limited seating. For the most part I figured the banquet was going to be a write off, then as I was working with the folks at the Arnot Mall getting our Annual Car Show details ironed out they told me about their new banquet room that would legally hold 300 people. It worked perfectly as we were able to tie the banquet to the car show. This way the drivers and teams still received public recognition!”
The seven regular adult classes all received point money and hardware with the Winner’s Circle Deli Youth Bandit Division receiving trophies for their efforts.
With Covid-19 restrictions in place, Outlaw Speedway got off to a late start swinging the gates open for the first event of the 2020 campaign on Friday, June 5, however Mother Nature played very nicely throughout most of the remainder of the race season and all fourteen the Regular Season shows were put into the record books prior to the start of the Fall Season Point Championships.
It should be noted that the Fall Series top point finishers did receive their accolades at the track on the last night of the season on Friday night October 23, 2020.
The banquet began with opening remarks from Mel Thomas and Kenny Shupp Jr. who emceed the gala event followed by a mouth- watering prime rib dinner provided by the Spaulding Family of Corning Catering. A moment of remembrance followed allowing those in attendance to honor the loss of many fans, sponsors, and close friends of the track that had passed away during the last year.
The top ten in the final point tally in the seven adult classes were all recognized for their efforts during the abbreviated season including 2020 Track Champions Matt Sheppard in the Friendly Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram Modifieds, Karl Comfort in the Sunrise Insulation American Racer Tire Sportsman, Zach Sobotka in the Hoosier Tire Sportsman as well as Glen Whritenour in the Stan’s No Tubes Street Stock Division. In addition, Brad Smith was crowned Track Champ in the IMCA Modifieds, Wayne Ellison in the IMCA Hobby Stocks along with Jeremy Bunn in the 4 Cylinder Mini Stock Class. Ethan Decker was crowned the 2020 Track Champion in the Winners Circle Deli Youth Bandit Division.
Each Track Champion had the opportunity to take the microphone and acknowledge those in attendance as they thanked their respective teams, crew members and sponsors.
A complete list of all the top point finishers in each division can be found by logging in at www.outlawspeedwayllc.com.
Track owner/promoter Tyler Siri then stepped to the podium and in keeping with a tradition that began after purchasing the popular Yates County Facility recognized track employees and various sponsors that have helped the track continue to grow.
In addition to numerous Employee Appreciation plaques that were handed out to some thirty track employees several special awards went out to Outlaw Speedway Officials including Media, Dedication to Motorsports, Employee of the Year and Car Owner of the Year. All the 2020 class sponsors were also recognized with appreciation plaques. Siri went on to outline a multitude of off- season improvements at the facility including adding more pit area bleacher space, additional seasonal pit tower suites as well as the new Outlaw Saloon. In addition, Outlaw Speedway will begin its own track Pay Per View when the races begin in April. Numerous high-profile dates on the 2021 schedule were also highlighted.
“I am extremely proud to have been able to host a banquet to honor the deserved recipients for the 2020 season. Outlaw Speedway was one of the few tracks in New York to open and run a full schedule last year due to the many Covid 19 restrictions. A few months ago, this banquet was pretty much an afterthought, however we were able to pull it off with a great turnout of drivers, crew members, sponsors and employees. The drivers received beautiful, handcrafted trophies and plaques from Wicked Tees and we were able to pay a point fund. I think everyone was happy with that. Also, I have an awesome staff of close to ninety people. Many of these same folks dedicate a lot of time in making the track a success. I could not run this track without their help and that is why each year I recognize many of the key players that work for me with special awards.” That according to Siri.
Up next at Outlaw Speedway it will be two afternoon practice dates on Saturday, April 3 and Friday April 9 with the Lucas Oil Nationals season opener slated to kick off what promises to be a competitive year at Outlaw Speedway on Saturday, April 10, 2021.
Racers and fans can stay abreast of everything that is going on leading up to the two practice dates and season lid lifter by checking out all the latest news at www.facebook.com/OutlawSpeedwayLLC/. Information will include all gate and start times for practice as well as the season opening Lucas Oil Nationals. As fan attendance continues to remain subject to change, up to date information will also be made available on Facebook.
As always other valuable information including the complete 2021 Outlaw Speedway schedule of events, rules, sponsors, staff and rules log on at www.outlawspeedway.com.
