FASTRAK NORTHEAST TO RETURN TO HARD ROCK CAFÉ PITTSBURGH FOR 2011 AWARDS BANQUET; TOURING & FUTURES CUP RACERS TO BE HONORED ON JANUARY 29

By Mike Leone

December 14, 2011

(Pulaski, PA)…The FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Racing Series is excited to announce that the 2011 Northeast Awards Banquet & Dinner will return to the Hard Rock Café Pittsburgh at Station Square for the second consecutive year on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 5 p.m.

A record cash payoff will be doled out to the top 15 drivers in the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC Northeast Touring, the top 10 in the inaugural “Futures Cup” program, and the top 10 drivers in the Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series.  Special awards will be handed out as well including “The Wheelman” Bonus Event Challenge Series.

“We’re extremely excited to be able to have the Hard Rock Café host our awards banquet once again,” expressed Northeast co-Director Vicki Emig.  “Pittsburgh is a central location for the Northeast Region, and what better place to host this affair and bring everyone together than the Hard Rock Café!  Last year’s banquet went over tremendously well as everyone had rave reviews and we expect more of the same this year.”

A record 24 Northeast Touring events were scheduled with 19 of those being completed.  A record 189 different drivers competed in those 19 events with a record car count average of 35 per event!  For the third time in the past four seasons, Max Blair took the championship honors. The 21-year-old Centerville, PA driver started the year off on fire winning three of the first seven events, but his only other win was the prestigious Gary Knollinger Memorial on June 23 at Sharon Speedway that earned him $2,750.

One of the most exciting concepts created by FASTRAK Northeast was the “Futures Cup” program.  Because of the great influx of young racing talent, this program kicked off in 2011 with 18 participating drivers.  Ryan Montgomery came on strong at the end to win the $1,000 championship.  The 14-year-old Fairmont, WV driver won a pair of Weekly Series races at Roaring Knob in addition to his Sharon Touring Series win and capped it off with the final “Trifecta” event win for the “Futures Cup” racers at Roaring Knob on October 7.

Other champions that will be honored include Dan Angelicchio in the Mid-Ohio Valley Touring Series, and “Futures Cup” racer Shane Weaver for capturing the “Wheelman” Bonus Event Challenge Series title. 

“The 2011 season was such a great year for FASTRAK and its racers,” stated Northeast co-Director Mike Leone. “Our drivers will take home approximately $150,000 in overall FASTRAK point fund monies not even including race winnings and local track point funds!  We’ve grown enough now that we can hold a banquet of our own. The date should be good for everyone as it doesn’t conflict with any other track banquets and it is an off weekend for football and racing.”

Tickets to the banquet are $39, which includes mini burgers, pulled pork, and BBQ chicken sandwich appetizers plus the dinner buffet of Hickory smoked brisket, white cheddar smashed potatoes, green beans and rolls along with various desserts and non-alcoholic beverages.  A cash bar will be available.  

The passed appetizers begin at 5 p.m. followed by the buffet dinner at 6 and the awards presentation at 7.  For ticket information, please go to our website at www.fastraknortheast.com and click on the Hard Rock Café banner.  Ticket deadline is Monday, January 23.  Sharon Speedway track announcer, Jim Pollock, will emcee the affair. 

After the banquet, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy and partake in some of the Pittsburgh night life, whether it be at any one of the other great establishments located at Station Square or perhaps Rivers Casino, which is just a few minutes away.

FINAL 2011 Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series Top 15 in Points: 1. MAX BLAIR 571  2. Mike Pegher, Jr. 536  3. Josh Holtgraver 504  4. Dan Angelicchio 503  5. Steve Dixon 453  6. Joe Martin 439  7. Butch Lambert 430  8. Damian Bidwell 353  9. John Volpe 266  10. Kyle Zimmerman 256  11. George Kowatic 240  12. Lauren Longbrake 237  13. Jamie Brown 213  14. Josh Double 206  15. Chad Wright 205.

FINAL 2011 FASTRAK Northeast “Futures Cup” Top 10 in Points: 1. RYAN MONTGOMERY 764  2. Damian Bidwell 719  3. Shane Weaver 712  4. Chad Wright 710  5. Bobby Rohrer, Jr. 710  6. Nico Dabecco 652  7. Newt Tackett 650  8. Matt Latta 637  9. Russell Baird, Jr. 588  10. Alessa Young 568.

FINAL 2011 FASTRAK Mid-Ohio Valley Late Model Touring Series Top 10 in Points: 1. DAN ANGELICCHIO 67  2. Joe Martin & Mike Pegher, Jr. 63  4. Shawn Jett 47  5. John Watson 31  6. Kyle Thomas 29  7. Shane Hitt 27  8. Butch Lambert 25  9. Joel Prosser 23  10. Lauren Longbrake.

The Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh is located at 230 W. Station Square Drive between the Grand Concourse Restaurant and the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. A one-story building with an industrial ceiling and exposed-brick stage, the new HRC has indoor seating for 200 people with additional seating on our outdoor patio to accommodate 70 guests. For more information, check out www.hardrockcafe.com/pittsburgh.

FASTRAK Northeast’s 2011 marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, Original Pizza Logs, Bully Dog, Contingency Connection, Utsinger’s Towing, and Hoosier Tire.

You can reach co-directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone at the FASTRAK Northeast office at 724-964-9300.  E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143.  The office is open daily late mornings and after 1:30 p.m.  For more information, check out the FASTRAK Northeast website at www.fastraknortheast.com.  Become our fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fastraknortheast.

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