CANANDAIGUA SPEEDWAY BANQUET HONORS 2002 SEASON CHAMPIONS

Well over 200 racing enthusiasts packed the VFW in Lyons, New York on Saturday, November 2 to help celebrate the 2002 Canandaigua Speedway Awards Banquet for Sportsman, Pro Stock and Street Stock teams.

WACK Radio personalities Laurie Hixson and Chuck Brownell once again orchestrated the fun-filled night honoring drivers, owners and sponsors of Canandaigua's primary support classes. A cocktail hour and buffet dinner kicked off the evening agenda while 'Rec-O-Lections' provided music to close out the night.

Canandaigua Speedway continued to carry proudly it's reputation as the 'Land of Legends' on this occasion as two of it's champions were also recognized among the best in the entire DIRT Motorsports organization.

Randy Chrysler from the Tuscarora Nation in Lewiston, N.Y. claimed the open-wheel Sportsman season championship at Canandaigua, joining the first two Mr. DIRT champions Mike Button (1990) and Greg Hixson (1991) on the list of legendary alumni.

Jon Miller from Olcott, N.Y. captured '02 Pro Stock high point awards at Canandaigua and secured runner-up honors in the overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Pro Stock Championship. Past Canandaigua full-fender point kings Steve Pesarek (1995), Tom Barron (1998), Jipp Ortiz (2000) and Jason Boyle (2001) enjoyed Mr. DIRT Pro Stock recognition during their championship seasons.

On this festive night the awards ceremony honored top-five point-getters in Sportsman, Pro Stock and Street Stock divisions as well as individuals singled out for special recognition. All trophies and plaques were once again donated by DIRT Motorsports,Inc. to help celebrate Canandaigua's 26^th season under the DIRT banner.

Sportsman: Chrysler-points champion and best appearing car, John Plumb-2^nd, Eldon Payne,Jr.-3^rd, Paul Guererri-4^th, Todd Henderson-5^th; Richard 'Bugsy' Briggs-top rookie; Rob Bussey-most improved; Frank Burnell,Jr.-hard luck.

Pro Stock: Miller-points champion and best appearing car, Chad Homan-2^nd, James Henry-3^rd, Roger Chrysler-4^th, Billy Brown-5^th; Henry-rookie; Daryl Hilkert-most improved; Dave Conant,Jr.-hard luck.

Street Stock: Nick Rizzo-points champion, Mike Minutolo-2^nd, Jared LaBarge-3^rd, Adam DePuy-4^th, Tim Burnell-5th; Scott DeLine-rookie and best appearing car; DePuy-most improved; Leroy Lewis-Hard Luck.

Chrysler(Spt), Homan(Pro) and Rizzo(Sts) each earned a 2003 DIRT license after winning a special contest that required participants to answer auto racing trivia questions. Mary Burba, wife of street stock racer Jim Burba, also won a 2003 Canandaigua Speedway season-pass in the customary 50/50 raffle held while Kim Jennejohn was the recipient of a unique quilt donated by Mary Stetzel.

On behalf of 2002 recipient Glenn Donnelly, Canandaigua Speedway General Manager Jeff Farney accepted the 8^th annual Fred Taney Memorial Award in appreciation of the dedication that the founder and president of DIRT Motorsports has exhibited since the track first gained group sanction in 1977. Farney, who recently completed his first full-season in directing speedway operations, addressed the gathering and revealed his intentions of making the "Land of Legends" the best Saturday night DIRT track in New York State.

The 2003 Canandaigua Speedway Banquet has already been set for Nov. 15 while the 40^th season-opener has tentatively been set for April 19.