Idaho Racing News

By Jon P. Brown
IRN editor
The bar was set awfully high after Meridian Speedway’s first season under the guidance of a new operation team.
Managing partner Adam Nelson and partners Don Newman and Al Russell were stewards over a 22-race schedule that saw an average of 2,053 fans show up each night. The largest crowd came on the second-to-last night of the season when 4,252 fans turned out to watch part of the American Speed Association Northwest Sprintcar Racing Association’s championship weekend at the quarter-mile paved oval.
The fans weren’t the only ones turning out in force. More than 100 racecars were in the pits on three different occasions last summer. The most came during the Aug. 15 Eve of Destruction when 117 drivers squeezed their cars into the pits. There were 112 racecars for the Fourth of July show, and 107 on the Sept. 26 season finale.
Track operators and staff thanked the racers during a banquet in October.
Champions included Chase Gilbertson in the Bandoleros; Andrew Clark (Junior Stingers), Vern Cornish (Hornets), Thomas White (Thunder Dogs), Eddie Abels (Mini Stocks), Jaramie Fuss (Street Stocks), Dennis Brodigan (Super Stocks), Travis Anderson (Legends), Rob Powers (Late Model Lites), Johnny Giesler (Non-Winged Sprints), John Nesmith (Late Models), Tom Hill (ASA Modifieds) and Chris Ratterree (Winged Sprints).
The Rocky Mountain Challenge Series Late Model champion, John Dillon, also was honored. Dillon also picked up the touring series’ Iron Man of the Year Award after being on the track for 951 of 952 laps. John Newhouse of Twin Falls was tabbed the RMCS Sportsman of the Year. Jonathon Gomez of Twin Falls was named Rookie of the Year.
The Western Idaho Racing Association Hall of Fame added three more individuals — promoter and announcer Mike Minegar, racer and race official Dan Breach, and car owner Pat Minegar.
Emmett open-wheel racer Rick Veenstra was honored with the Idaho Historical Racing Society’s Humanitarian Award.
Meridian Modified racer Chris Fenton won the Energy Release Driver of the Year Award.
Other awards were handed out for most classes, including:
Rookie of the Year — Tyler Burlingame (Mini Stocks), Chad Bess (Street Stocks), Kyle Burrill (Super Stocks), Cameron Cotta (Legends), Chet Thorsen (Late Model Lites), Doyle Hartman (Non-Winged Sprints), Phil Zubizareta (Late Models), Rod Cummings (ASA Modifieds), and Don Kithcart (Winged Sprints).
Sportsman of the Year — Mike Davis (Hornets), Ray Bolinger (Mini Stocks), Bobby Riggs (Street Stocks), Dave Harris (Super Stocks), Ed Sonius (Legends), Kenny Chandler (Late Model Lites), Don Kithcart (Non-Winged Sprints), Nesmith (Late Models), Fenton (ASA Modifieds), and Cody Veenstra (Winged Sprints).
Mechanic of the Year — Tom Elliott (posthumously in Winged Sprints), Scott Durbin (ASA Modifieds), Steve Nesmith (Late Models), John Giesler (Non-Winged Sprints), Jim Thompson (Late Model Lites), Rich Krahn (Legends), JR Fuss (Street Stocks), Donovan Parker (Mini Stocks), John Pinkston, Rick Anderson and Martin Anderson (Thunder Dogs), and Butch Davis (Hornets).
Hard luck driver — Dave Quick (Winged Sprints), Rus Ward (ASA Modifieds), Dan Lowther (Late Models), Zach Wilson (Non-Winged Sprints), Joe Barton (Late Model Lites), Ed Sonius (Legends), Troy Evans (Super Stocks), Micky Lawson (Street Stocks), Everett Meeks (Mini Stocks), and Fred Nagele (Hornets).