STEVE BUCKWALTER FETED AT ANNUAL ARDC AWARDS BANQUET
ByMedia Contact: Steve Williams
E-mail: swilliamsardc@gmail.com
Phone 570-473-8878
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLEASE WITH OUR THANKS
STEVE BUCKWALTER FETED AT ANNUAL ARDC AWARDS BANQUET
The American Racing Drivers Club concluded its 71st season on Saturday Night their annual awards banquet held at Lobitz’s Catering Hall in Hazleton, PA.
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Steve Buckwalter as club champion. Buckwalter accrued 10 wins on his way to his first ever ARDC title, scoring 2435 points to 2347 for runner-up Ryan Smith.
Buckwalter’s wins came at, Williams Grove, Penn Can, Grandview, Central Pennsylvania, Mercer, Dixieland, New Egypt, Big Diamond and two at Susquehanna. Buckwalter also led the club with 13 heat race wins.
Steve’s car owner / father, Brian Buckwalter Sr. was also presented with the car owners championship trophy.
The Buckwalter 0 completed a sweep of the awards when Crew Chief Eddie Heffline was named the Ken Hickey Crew Chief of the year.
Ryan Smith and car owners, Jerry and Karen Steward both received 2nd place awards in the driver and owners chase respectfully. Smith garnered, four wins at Williams Grove, Big Diamond and two at Bridgeport.
Don and Cindy Heistand were on hand to pick-up third place trophies for both driver and owners points. The Heistand’s were representing their sons, Drew and Dusty, both of whom were unable to attend.
In all plaques were given to the top 15 in points in both car owner and driver standings. In addition the top three in points also received a package of fasteners from Fastener Specialties.
The other special awards were picked up by Dusty Heistand as the Most Improved Driver, Tim Buckwalter won the Dutch Schaefer / Jiggs Peters Rookie of the Year while ARDC President, Bruce Buckwalter Sr. presented PJ Gargiulo with the Galen Halteman Presidents Award. Dave Shirk’s RAACE Foundation #16 was presented with the Best Appearing Car award and in addition to his plaque, received a leather jacket from PPG Paints.
Special guests on hand included former club champions, Hank Rogers Jr, Bryan Kobylarz and 2011 National Midget Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Leigh Earnshaw. Former competitor and Club President, Ron Lauer. Former competitor, Jim Maguire and former mechanic and vintage car enthusiasts, Dick & Marian Briggs.
Contingency Sponsors on hand included representatives from, Fastener Specialties and BDB Graphics.
Members of the press on hand included, AARN photographer Kris Keath and Hoseheads.com, Dino Oberto.
The crowd was entertained by the stories and memories of Hank Rogers Jr. and Jim Maguire.
The evenings fun activities included a Trivia Contest and a test of the pit crews including a tire mounting, gear changing and spark plug replacement contests.
A silent auction of donated gifts was held with the proceeds being donated to the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing to help defray the costs of their recently announced museum expansion.
BANQUET NOTES: Steve Buckwalter is preparing 2 cars for January’s Chili Bowl Nationals. He will drive one car. The other driver will be named later. Joining Buckwalter on the trip west will be car owner, Greg Fitzpatrick who will also take two cars along. One for his regular driver Steve Drevicki and one for Bruce Buckwalter Jr. Drew Heistand was unable to attend the banquet after having a procedure performed on his foot. Drew’s brother Dusty was also absent as his wife Jen, recently gave birth to their first child. Grandpa Don Heistand accepted the awards for his sons while Grandma Cindy kept Don straight on the babies important statistics. Steve Buckwalter's 2011 plans include Midget racing as well as possibly more Sprint Car racing. Ryan Smith and owner Jerry Steward announced that they will mount a full out attack on the points championship. Rookie Steve Bull is looking forward to a full schedule of Midget racing in 2011 if additional sponsorship can be procured. ARDC had a total of 11 rookies compete this year and has already received commitments from at least 4 drivers for next year.
