2011 STARS CHAMPIONS OFFICIALLY CROWNED AT YEAR END BANQUET

By: Michael J. Guglielmucci


Joliet, Il-- The 2011 Inaugural D'Arcy GMC Short Track Auto Racing Series came to an official close last Saturday, January 14th, at the Joliet Moose Lodge with the year end awards banquet. Three Champions were crowned in their respective divisions in front of a crowd of 200 plus! Along with the championship crowning, other special awards were handed out throughout the night. Many traditions of Joliet area midget racing were continued, notably the prestigous Bob Tattersall Hard Charger Award presented by All-Star Performance given by 23-time Joliet Memorial Stadium winner Bob Richards.

Joliet's Jimmy Anderson brought home his second career National Midget Championship in the last four years, his first coming in 2008. The 35 year old veteran considered this championship a little more special than the first because this one gave long time car owner Bob Guess his first Owner's Championship. Anderson's mom Sharon, who is co-owners with Guess, announced that this was the sixth owners title for Anderson Motorsports in its 50 plus year existance in midget auto racing. Jimmy was presented with an array of hardware, notably the Mi-Jack Cup, Champion's Ring courtesy of David Nelson Exquisite Jewelry, and a $1,000 certificate from Mechanix Wear.

20 year old Brad Greenup of Channahon, IL was awarded with the annual Bob Tattersall Hard Charger Award presented by All-Star Performace. Greenup, a junior at St. Ambrose University in Iowa, said that this award was something he has always had in the back of his mind, that some day would be his. Tyler Trainor, who hails from Tattersall's hometown of Streator,IL was crowned Rookie of the Year with his 8th place points finish. Trainor was awarded a brand new composite helmet courtesy of Bell Helmets. 70 year old veteran Terry Ahern took home the Hard Luck Award after flipping his car in a heat race one night and the following week picked up his 4th heat race win of the season.

Ed Ensor was crowned with his first career Classic Modified championship in 2011. Ensor nudged out 2010 champion Mike Anderson. Anderson took home the Hard Charger award for the Classic Modifieds after posting five wins in 2011.

The Town and Country Lanes Legends series named Andy Jones their champion for 2011. Jones, who was unable to attend the banquet because he was also being named champion for a Wisconsin-based track, posted multiple victories in 2011 and looks to repeat again in 2012. Brian Tedeschi was named the Legends series Hard Charger winner.

The Champions and Hard Charger Awards weren't the only awards being handed out Saturday Night. Three new awards were presented to three very worthy recipients. The Founding Member Award was presented to Bob Guess, who was the mastermind behind the forming of the STARS series. The Shining STAR award went to Pit Steward Jim Webber. Webber spent every possible minute at the track greeting drivers and teams, posting lineups and staging the cars for their respective races. The inaugural Bopper Award, named after long time car owner Bob Thompson who recently lost his short battle with cancer, was given to National Midget Car Owner Bill Hulbert. The Bopper Award is given to an individual who represents the qualities that Thompson did. Thompson was always their to lend a hand for any team, driver, or fan. Hulbert spent many hours at the track prior to opening the pit gates cleaning the pits and blowing the track, among other things, before the Saturday night festivities began.

2012 looks to be a promising season for STARS and its teams. Many sponsors have committed to coming back in 2012 along with a few new sponsors. Saturday night, June 2nd, will be the opening night for the 2012 D'Arcy GMC STARS season. For information on STARS visit their website at www.stars-racing.com, "Like" them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shorttrackauto or follow them on twitter @shorttrackauto.