New Egypt Awards Banquet Is $50,000 Night

New Egypt, NJ (Feb. 5) -- New Egypt Speedway racers celebrated the end of the 1999 season in high style last Saturday night, with $50,000 in point fund awards being distributed during the track's gala annual banquet at Bally's Park Place and Boardwalk in Atlantic City.

Thirty top drivers in three divisions divided the all-cash point awards. Modified champion Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, NJ, took home the biggest check: Pauch's 14 victories in 1999 added up to a $10,000 point fund bonanza. With three wins to his credit, Bob Worthington, Mount Holly, NJ, earned the $3,000 Sportsman division title. Street Stock champion Pat Conaway of Williamstown racked up a bunch of steady finishes to pocket $1,500. In addition to the cash awards, the top guns in all divisions, including Rookie champ Scott Reid of Freehold, received trophies courtesy of Sunoco Racing Fuels and championship jackets from American Racer distributor Lias Tire. Artist Clark Angstadt presented paintings of the winning cars.

New Egypt's "dynamic duo" of Nick Leach and Pete Wortman served as black-tie masters of ceremony for the affair, which also honored many drivers in special award categories.

Hard Luck Awards went to Bob Drayton (Modified), Matt Papiez (Sportsman) and Carol Whitehouse (Street Stock). Drivers Tom Carberry, Gary Butler and Mike Hendershot (all Modified), Ron John Koczon (Sportsman) and Billy Bauer (Street Stock) received Determination Awards for their perseverance in the face of adversity. Eddie Bohn (Modified), Larry Archer (Sportsman) and George Quinlan (Street Stock) were named New Egypt's Stars of Tomorrow in their respective divisions. Best Appearing Car Awards went to Roger Laureno (Modified), Kenny Roth (Sportsman) and Blair Guker III (Street Stock). Sportsman driver Lee Taylor, Jr. was named Best Victory Lane Interview.

For his untiring charitable efforts on behalf of the Matheny School for Cerebral Palsied Children, chief starter Frank Resta was honored as New Egypt's Man of the Year. Keith Brightbill, who crewed both his father's car and his own to second-place overall standings in the Modified and Sportsman classes, was named Mechanic of the Year. For his generosity to fellow racers, Street Stock driver Al Cheney III was given the Sportsmanship Award.

Receiving special recognition from track owners Rick and Nancy Grosso for their support and involvement in the speedway's continued success were Jim Morton of Morton's Auto Body, racing artist Clark Angstadt, and Gene Stravinsky of Advantage Financial. New Egypt Speedway Employee Recognition Awards were presented to infield manager Gary Bozowski and pit steward Jeff Tice.

The Central Jersey raceway will kick off its third season as one of the finest dirt short tracks in the country on Saturday, March 25 with a practice session that is free to the public. The season opener is April 1, with a four division card of Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks and Rookie Sportsman. For further information, contact the speedway office at (609) 758-1900.