Westbrook ME- (November 15, 2008) A full house gathered at Verillo’s Conference Center Saturday for an evening of socializing, libation, bench racing and awards presentations at the eighth annual Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North Banquet of Champions.
Series President Tom Mayberry opened the evening with a review of the 2008 season, thanks to all of the series’ competitors, officials and sponsors and a glimpse at how the 2009 season is shaping up. In addition to releasing a fourteen race PASS South schedule, Mayberry hit upon several points of interest to competitors in all three North divisions, including a return to Lee USA Speedway for the Super Late Models on Tuesday July 14, a twin state series for the PASS Mods and added dates for the PASS Pluffybilt Racing Tractors Sportsman. Complete schedules for all three divisions will be released in the weeks to come.
Next Mayberry presented his promoters awards for 2008, by division.
Outlaws: Most Improved: – Joe Decker
Pluffybilt Racing Tractors Sportsman: Most Improved-Jonathan Ledger, Sportsmanship- Steve Bennett Sr., Hard Luck – Terry Merrill
PASS Mods: Most Improved – Scott McDaniel, Sportsmanship – Tom Oliver, Hard Luck, Greg Ellis
Super Late Model: Most Improved – Adam Bates, Sportsmanship – Kelly Moore, Hard Luck – Donnie Whitten
Special Appreciation Awards were presented to Jack Gerbrands and Bill Hill of Northern Race Tires for their service and dedications to the series. Billy Clark received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his may years as one of the regions top drivers, and his role as crew chief for his son, 2008 PASS Super Late Model National Champion Cassius Clark.
Northern Race Tires Rookie of the Year awards came next, recognizing the top newcomer in each division. Scott Alexander received the Outlaw Rookie honors, Kyle Hart in the Sportsman division, Andy Shaw for the Mods and D.J. Shaw in the Super Late Models.
PASS North announcer Mark Thomas took over the podium and presented trophies and awards to the top five drivers in the abbreviated 2008 PASS Outlaw season, where Mike Harnnish Jr. reigned as Champion. The top ten in both the Sportsman and Mod divisions were recognized next. PASS Sportsman Champ Richie Morse received his Championship hardware, as did Mark Lucas, now a two time PASS Mod titlist.
The top ten PASS North Super Late Mode drivers received their trophies and point fund checks, culminating in the Champions’ presentation to Johnny Clark for his third PASS North Super Late Model title. Clark scored four wins, eight top fives, and eleven top tens on his way to the 2008 Championship.. The entire Clark’s Car Crushing team came to the podium to receive their championship jackets presented by Northern Race Tires.
The ceremonies wrapped up with Cassius Clark, car owner Ed Chapman, Crew Chief Billy Clark and team members receiving the accolades for Clark’s 2008 PASS National Championship title.
It may be the off season, but keep track of the latest announcements, news, and 2009 schedule releases at www.racewithpass.com and www.proallstarsseries.com .