"U.S. 41 Sprint Speedway holds awards banquet"

MERRILLVILLE, IN - On Saturday, November 17, 2001 approximately 135 go-karting enthusiasts turned out for the eighth annual awards banquet hosted by U.S. 41 Sprint Speedway. The banquet was held at The Broadmoor Country Club in Merillville, IN. Track officials headed by track owners, Bill and Cindy Elliott, honored track champions in six racing classes.

Brian Brinkman of Lowell, IN was crowned the 2001 Track Champion as well as the Class Champion in the Yamaha Senior Sportsmen (Super Can) class. Taylor Moore of Lake village, IN was crowned the 2001 Rookie Track Champion as well as the Class Champion in the Junior Sportsman Stock (Rookie Class 1) class.

Other class champions included: Sam Geeding of Manteno, IL for Junior Sportsman Stock (Rookie Class 2); Eric Akre of Plano, IL for 4-Cycle Restricted Junior Stock; Kathy Tucker of Mokena, IL for 4-Cycle Stock Lite; and Alex Beherns of Remington, IN, his second consecutive year for 4-Cycle Stock Heavy.

U.S. 41 Sprint Speedway track officials honored numerous individuals whose hard work made the season a success.

In addition to the regular track awards, any participant who was a track member received separate awards. Class champion members received jackets and the remaining members received patches. Special plaque awards were given to the following members as voted by the 2001 track membership.

Casey Moore of Lake Village, IN was voted Rookie of the Year, Taylor Moore of Lake Village, IN was voted Most Improved Driver as well as Best Looking Kart, Jim Ortega of Oswego, IL and Mike Wheeldon of Rensselaer, IN tied in votes for Most Helpful; and for the second consecutive year Wayne Frome of Rensselaer, IN received most votes for Best Sportsmanship. A Best Sportsmanship Award as voted by the track officials went to Wayne Frome of Rensselaer, IN and Kathy Tucker of Mokena, IL who tied.

Richard Rish of RaceStar Publications, Roselawn, IN, took photographs at the banquet as well as providing the track photography this racing season. RaceStar Publication handed out photo mugs to all of the class champions.

Music was provided by Gary Shipman of Rhythm & Views, Valparaiso, IN. Gary gave everyone the opportunity to show their singing talent. There was one younger group of racers which have now been named the "Monotones" who enjoyed the Karaoke immensely. We strongly suggest and truly hope they stick to racing.

Door prizes were handed out during the evening including tickets to a Chicago Bears game. Mitch Pugh of Munster, IN was the winner of the Bears tickets and will be on the 20-yard line approximately fifteen rows from the field watching the Bears play the Detroit Lions on December 2, 2001.

The track is slated to reopen in April, 2002.