Banquet Held Last Night...

The Oswego Speedway season-ending banquet was held last night at the Turning Stone Casino, with approximately 400 people in attendance.

After dinner the awards ceremonies were conducted by MC Roy Sova. The awards and their recipients are:

The 2009 Oswego Speedway Hall of Fame: Dick O'Brien and John Hill in the Officials category; the Special Achievement recipient was Mark Regan; the Car Owner recipient was Dave McKnight, Sr., and the Driver recipient was Pat Abold.

Ed Clark Safety Crew "Spirit" Award and the Oswego Speedway "Recognition" award were both presented to the Track Safety Crew in honor of their hard work and diligence over the past season. The Recognition award was presented to the crew by Don Flack and his family. Mr. Flack, who is the father in law of SBS Hall of Fame member Mike Bond and father of speedway employee Debbie Bond, suffered cardiac arrest in victory lane after Mike won his third SBS Classic race in September. The crew revived him (twice it was noted) and stabilized him prior to the Oswego Fire Department ambulance arriving on the scene.

Receiving the Bosco's Supermarket SBS "Rookie of the Year" was Andrew Schartner, driver of the #18 Crow Motorsports SBS.

Winning the Cleaning for a Reason Supermodified "Rookie of the Year" was Dan Connors, Jr., driver of the Paul's Big M/Connors Racing #01.

Steve Gioia, Jr. presented the Steve Gioia Sales SBS "Car Owner of the Year" award to Steve Abt, owner of the #85 and the #58 SBS's. Receiving the Steve Gioia Sales Supermodified "Car Owner of the Year" award was Keith Gilliam, owner/driver of the #87 Super.

Earning the Hoosier Tire SBS "Crew of the Year" was Barbeau Racing and the Hoosier Tire Supermodified "Crew of the Year" was Gioia Racing, with driver Stephen Gioia,III in attendance, and pulling a wheelie in his wheelchair as he crossed the dance floor to receive his award. It was good to see SG III there, as well as "Hollywood" Craig Rayvals, who has graduated to crutches since his injuries in August.

The Eagles Fan Club and President Larry Lee announced the winners of their two annual awards.

Receiving the Tony White Memorial Award was driver of the Solazzo Racing #25 Rob Pullen.

Winning the Jim Shampine Memorial Award was Pat Strong, owner of the Strong Racing #99 Plum Crazy Supermodified driven by the Jersey Jet, Joey Payne.

Supermodified Track Champion Otto Sitterly and SBS Track Champion David Gruel both had their winning cars on display in the front of the Event Center where the banquet was held.

The Eagles Fan Club held a 50/50 raffle during the evening to benefit the Injured Drivers Fund, which was pretty much depleted after this season. Mike Bozzuto was the winner of over $450. We would like to thank everyone for their support last evening, and for supporting the Eagles Fan Club in their efforts to be able to provide monetary assistance to drivers injured in competition.

Track announcer Joe Marotta was not in attendance last evening, but Roy Sova told the assembled crowd that he had spoken to Joe just prior to the banquet, and that Joe and wife Barbara had just returned from Ohio after the funeral for their 5 year old grandson, Joey, who passed away last Sunday from the H1N1 virus. Joe wished to thank everyone for their cards, emails and phone calls during this time of great sorrow and loss for their family.

The ceremonies concluded at approximately 9pm, with Ron Gray and Millenium Music providing the musical entertainment until 2am this morning.

Banquet Information From the Oswego Speedway Website

Final details announced for the 2009 Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet set for Oct. 24th.
By Oswego Speedway :: 1557 Views
The 2009 Oswego Speedway Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet will be on Saturday October 24th at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. The banquet will be in the Event Center from 5:30 until 2:00. The 4th Floor Hospitality Room will be available before the event from 3:30 until 5:30 and the 2nd Floor "Meadow Room" will be available after the event from 2:00 until 3:30. The Eagles Fan Club will also be holding a special 50/50 raffle to replenish the "Injured Drivers Fund" which was unfortunately used a little bit too much during the 2009 racing season. An attempt to "pass the helmet" at the speedway on the final night of the regular season was scratched with threatening weather in the area and Twin Features to run for both divisions. The 50/50 raffle will take place in the pre-banquet gathering in the 4th Floor Hospitality Room and in the Event Center right up until the conclusion of the buffet dinner. The winner will be drawn after the door prizes are given away at 7:45.

Our Heartfelt Condolences...

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Oswego Speedway announcer Joe Marotta's 5 year old grandson, Joey, son of Joe and Serese(Shampine)Marotta from the H1N1 flu on Sunday, October 18th in Ohio where they live.

The Eagles Fan Club and its officers would like to extend their deepest sympathies to the entire Marotta and Shampine families at this time of great loss.