Speedbowl Honors 2005 Champions : Raceway Media - Motorsports News & Information

Rob Summers “officially” joined one of weekly auto
racing’s longest lists Saturday night at the Waterford
Speedbowl Awards Banquet at the Groton Inn and Suites.
The SK-Modified champ, Summers in the 55th driver to
wear the Modified crown at the Connecticut oval.

Over 600 looked on as Summers shared the spotlight
with four other champions – Mark St. Hiliare (Late
Models), Norman Root Jr. (Sportsman), Danny Field
(Mini Stocks) and Jeffrey Paul (Legends). The affair
capped off a season that produced almost 50 winners.

All are first-time champions. “Now I know what it
takes,” said Summers who praised his fellow champions.

Summers and St. Hiliare captured two of the closest
point races in Speedbowl history, Summers edging Ron
Yuhas Jr. by four points and St. Hiliare besting Allen
Coates by just two.

Yuhas was the SK “Sportsman of the Year Winner,” Race
Director Steve Harraka praising his attitude and
behavior through the point battle. The other Sportsman
of the Year winners were The Mark and Chris Bakaj
(Legends), Tom Smith (Mini Stocks), Joe Curioso III
(Sportsman) and Duane Noll (Late Models).

The pit crews of St. Hilaire and Root were also
honored. Other top pit crews were the Esposito
Brothers (Mark and Vin) in the Legends, Bill Leonard
in the Mini Stocks and Tom Fox in the SKs, the latter
two earning praise for their perseverance.

Ken Cassidy, who had four wins including the 50-lap
“Finale” and also set a new Mini Stock qualifying
record, headed up the Rookie of the Year winners.
Other top rookies were Michael Gervais Jr. (Legends),
Rich Staskowski (Sportsman), Jay Lozyniak (Late
Models) and Diego Monahan (SKs).

The Most Improved winners included teenagers Jason
Palmer, who went from 20th in 2004 to third in the
2005 Legends standings, and Joe Godbout III, the 2004
Mini Stock Rookie of the Year winning four features
and finishing fourth in 2005 with four wins. Other
Most Improved trophies went to Joe Perry (Late
Models), Al Stone III (Sportsman) and Mike Finkeldey
(SKs).

The coveted Race Directors Award went to Tim Fogg III,
the veteran Sportsman competitor providing one of the
great emotional 2005 moments with his first-ever
feature win.

Richard “Bubby” Brouwer, the grounds supervisor was
recognized as the top employee. General Manager Bill
Roth presented the special plaque.

Charlie Pasteryak, the wrench on son Chris’ car, won
the Mechanic of the Year from NASCAR. Paul Schaefer,
senior editor of NASCAR Illustrated, presented the
award.

“Nothing beats being champion,” said Field who has
captured other prizes along the way. Root called it “a
dream fulfilled.”

Paul, who recalled playing with model cars in front of
the grandstand, made special mention of grandfather
Arthur while an emotional St.Hilaire acknowledged a
special relationship with his father John. “I remember
many years ago bringing home some piece of junk race
car,” said St. Hilaire. “’What are you going to do
with that?’ he asked. He’s been there all the way.”

Roth, who received high praise from owner Terry Eames,
said 2005 was a “great year” and predicted “an even
greater 2006.” The season starts April 1-2 with the
tenth annual Budweiser Modified Nationals.

Track announcers Matt Buckler and Gary Danko shared
the master of ceremonies role.

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