By: Kevin Ramsell
WISCONSIN DELLS, WI (Friday, November 21, 2008) – The Ho-Chunk Casino & Hotel played host the 2008 Dells Raceway Park Championship Banquet this past Saturday night. Over 350 guests were on hand to honor the champions and competitors from this past season.

The evening started off with a social hour followed by dinner. Mike Olson, one of DRP’s track announcers and roving reporter emceed the evening festivities.

Joe Graziano, DRP co-owner, took to the stage and thanked everyone for a successful second season that he and co-owner Lance Fielitz had at the well-known racing facility.

Graziano stressed that in any business that a success takes anywhere from three to five years and with the pace they are going at, everything is on schedule. He also talked about some of the future plans including a “Welcome Center” where fans can go and check out information about all of the DRP competitors and the history of the Speedway.

He also announced that a new section of grandstands will be in place behind turns one and two. They will be the best seats in the house. Graziano also turned down a rumor by stating that Super Late Models will always be the top division at DRP.

Julia Luther, DRP’s Marketing and Event Coordinator, and Scott Sauerbrei, Director of Race Operations then presented trophies and checks to the eligible drivers in the point fund program. Those drivers also received a complimentary DRP hat and fleece jacket.

Jeff Kendall picked up another Leo’s Upper Dells Bar Super Late Model Championship trophy. He congratulated the other competitors and thanked his sponsors. Dan Lensing, who finished third in the points, also picked up the Rookie of the Year honors.

In the Miller Lite Limited Late Models, Mike Ehde celebrated his championship with his family and crew. He won the championship by one point over Kurt Clapper. Cardell Potter took home Rookie of the Year honors along with his fifth place finish in the point standings. Potter told the crowd that he hopes to start snowmobile racing in the next few weeks.

Travis Hancock took home the big trophy and check for his championship in the Schulz Automotive Super Stock division. Hancock won the championship by three points over his good friend and on-track rival Corey Jankowski. Mike Lichtfeld finished third and also took the Rookie of the Year honors. Lichtfeld thanked his family, especially his father Tom for their support.

Brad Luck was called to the stage to receive his Koenecke Equipment Pure Stock championship award. His championship wasn’t decided until the last lap on the final night of racing as he beat out Lenny Raupp by nine points. Ben Koberstein was the Pure Stock Rookie of the Year with his ninth place finish in the standings. Wally Boehm took home the top honors in the Bandit division while Ren Revels took home Rookie of the Year honors with his fourth place finish in the points.

Along with the trophies, checks and DRP clothing, many of the competitors also took home contingency awards as well.

The awards included were: certificates from Five Star Race Car Bodies, certificates from Aluminum Racing Products, a new carburetor from Wegner Motorsports, a two-night stay in a three bedroom condo and one hour Swedish Massage from Rhapsody Resorts & Spa, Chassis Giveaway courtesy of Holmes Motorsports & Lefthander Chassis, two 2009 American Speed Association memberships, one $50 award to each class from G&M Auto Service, 55 gallons of fuel courtesy of Waldo Oil, one night stay with a $50 gift certificate to Kaminski Brothers Chophouse from Chula Vista Resort, three cases of oil to the Pure Stocks from Schaeffer Oil, and Hoosier Racing Tires Championship jackets to Jeff Kendall and Travis Hancock.

Everyone who was in attendance was also eligible for raffle prizes courtesy of: Balas Harley Davidson, Pedro’s Mexican Restaurante, Famous Dave’s, Wollersheim Winery, Press Box, Chula Vista Resort, NAPA-Baraboo/Portage, Peterson Auto Parts, Weaver Auto Parts, House of Embers, Wilderness Resort, Wegner Motorsports, Rhapsody Resort, Pepsi, Miller Lite – C&H Distributing, Sand Bar, CarQuest – Reedsburg, Bumper-to-Bumper, and NAPA – Reedsburg.

Dells Raceway Park would like to thanks its competitors, pit crews, fans and staff for a successful 2008 season and are looking forward to a great 2009 season.