By: Steven Petty
Howard Boundy Photo
LANCASTER, NY (December 16, 2022) … Lancaster Motorplex celebrated the 2022 season with the stock car awards banquet on Friday, December 16 at the Lancaster Elks Club. Track announcer Steven Petty served as the Master of Ceremonies and Jocko’s catered the meal that was enjoyed by all in attendance.
George Skora from Eden, NY used three wins on his way to the track title. Jake Lutz was named the division’s Rookie of the Year and finished second in the points chase. Andy Jankowiak won twice and Shawn Nye also scored a feature win. Tony Carbone was named the divisions Most Improved Driver
West Seneca’s Mark Hoch scored four wins en route to the 2022 track title. Dave Krawczyk, Rich Sharpe, Nik and Tim Welshans all picked up one victory each. Mike Dalfonso was the division’s Most Improved Driver, and Jacob Gustafson was the division’s Rookie of the Year.
Charles Palmer from Cheektowaga, NY won the 4 Cylinder track title on his three wins and consistent finishes. Teammate and 2021 titlist David Brunka also scored three wins and was just a couple points behind Palmer in the final tally. Chris Deyoe Jr, Dan Dressel, and Dave Milbrand all scored feature wins. Mason Offhaus was the Most Improved Driver, while Hunter McKay was named Rookie of the Year.
Dice Racing was honored with the Spirit of Racing Award for their support and willingness to promote the track and the divisions they compete in without any hesitation. The Sportsmanship Award was given to Dave Evans. Evans would jump right in and give assistance to any driver and crew whenever possible. Mark Pennell was the recipient of the Dedication of Racing Award for his four plus decades of racing. The Tread City Tire Hard Luck Award went to Dave Krawczyk and Garret Cleversley. Lancaster Motorplex management also gave recognition to those who supported and organized the drivers point fund throughout the season as well as the speedway officials.
The Mighty TQ Midgets made frequent stops to Lancaster throughout the season, with Kyle Hutchinson and Dave Wollaber each winning two races. Jonathan Reid also won in the TQ Midgets in 2022 on the ¼-mile Lancaster oval. Eldon King III dominated the 2022 stops for the Late Models, winning all four races. Jake Christman and Garrett Zacharias won the visits from the New York Super Stock Series. Eric Brown won the Super Stock portion of the US Open. In three appearances by the Modifieds in 2022, there were three different winners. Patrick Emerling, Mike Leaty, and Matt Hirschman picked up checkered flags for the open-wheeled division.
Speedway management thanked everyone for their support in 2022 and laid out plans for the 2023 campaign, with the 2023 season opener taking place on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The 350 SMAC Super Modifieds will invade Lancaster for the first time on June 17, with the Small Block Super Championship Series making a stop during US Open Weekend, which is set for September 22-24.
Please stay up to date on all things Lancaster, by checking out our Facebook and Twitter page and the all-new website, at www.lancastermotorplexny.com