ELDORA TO CROWN 2013 CHAMPIONS AT JANUARY 25, 2014 AWARDS CEREMONY
Matt Miller (Late Model), Jerry Bowersock (UMP DIRTcar Modified) & Barney Craig (Stock Cars) Tabbed
ROSSBURG, OH (Oct. 28) – Eldora Speedway’s final checkered flag has fallen on its 60th consecutive season of racing, with divisional championships being collected by Matt Miller (Late Model), Jerry Bowersock (UMP DIRTcar Modified) and Barney Craig (Stock Car). Each of the trio, along with drivers finishing in the top 15 of the cumulative points chases will be honored at Eldora’s annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening, January 25, 2014. As in past years, the festive event will be joined by the Sunoco American Late Model Series (ALMS) as they present their National and East Division awards from the 2013 racing season.
Miller’s (Whitehouse, OH) third Eldora Late Model championship (2010, 2008) produced an equal number of feature triumphs. Two of those wins came during the preliminary nights leading up to the Dirt Late Model Dream, against a stellar field of entrants, with the third win earned at the WIX Filters Baltes Classic.
Like Miller, the 2014 season produced a third championship for Bowersock (Wapakoneta, OH) in the Modified ranks (2011, 2008). Finishing no less than 10th in feature race competition throughout the year, Bowersock rallied to a pair of feature wins (May 18, October 3) and three heat race checkered flags. Bowersock’s strong Eldora showing aided him towards the UMP DIRTcar Modified Northeast championship title.
Equalling Miller’s fete, Craig (Lima, OH) translated his number of championships into number of feature wins. Championship number five (2012, 1999, 1993, 1992) came on the heels of five feature wins on Eldora’s history-laden .500-mile clay oval. En route to the championship, Craig finished no less than 8th in feature race action and compiled five preliminary race victories.
In addition to the championship honors, numerous specialty awards will be presented at the January 25 Awards Ceremony. Among those will be divisional Rookie of the Year, Best Appearing Car, Hard Luck and Most Improved Driver awards. Completing the presentation will be the naming of the coveted Chick Hale Sportsman of the Year award winner.
Ticket purchase information on the gala event, to be staged inside the Eldora Ballroom, will be released on www.EldoraSpeedway.com. Updates will also be posted on Twitter (@EldoraSpeedway), Facebook (Facebook.com/EldoraSpeedway) and via iPhone and Android phone apps.