RPW Exclusive: Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series Drivers At Annual Awards Banquet
Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – FONDA, NY – With a year! The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) made great strides during the 2019 season here in the Northeast.
This past weekend, it was time for the series’ drivers to be honored and Champions to be crowned. It was time for everyone’s dedication in keeping the memories of our past alive to be recognized.
The 2019 “Banquet Bash” was held at the Winners Circle in Fonda, NY on Friday evening. The Winner’s Circle is one of the series’ great sponsors. There is exactly one mile that separates this establishment from the famed Fonda Speedway.
The place was packed to the hill with drivers, sponsors and fans who were ready to have some fun and be a part of the festivities. They all wanted to honor the season’s best while enjoying some good times from the year gone by.
As the series promoter. I can say I was amazed. We went from 36 people in 2018 to an amazing number of 132 this year…simply wow! The MVVDMS had a total of 28 drivers making the trip to the popular restaurant where they would take center stage.
Four Champions were crowned in each of their respective classes. They included:
- Vintage Antique Champion: Frank Blanchard
- Vintage Latemodel Champion: Malcum Warner
- Vintage Sportsman Champion: Dan Wood
- Vintage Modified Champion: John Flach.
We at MVVDMS were honored to have these four gentleman representing our series and couldn’t be more proud of them as our true Champions.
“I am grateful for the series,” John Flach said. “It have given me a chance to get back to what I love. I had such a great time racing with all the guys and I cannot wait for next year.”
Frank Blanchard also said while receiving his award that it was the best time in his life, racing with the series.
Other drivers that were recognized included:
- John Constantino
- Tex Gorden
- Stanley Wetmore
- Merv Blackwell
- Randy Delaney
- Mike Francisco
- Dan Karl
- Carl Cram
- Larry Hoyt
- Alan McDonald
- Mark Reardon
- Tony Kamburelis
- John Roese
- Tim Warner
- Jon Kuleszo
- Michele Kuleszo
- Rob Sanford
- Brian Gray
- George Palmer
- Ed Docskalik
- Justin Knight
- Bill Liese
- Will Reed
- Mike Cole
Also recognized on the night were the drivers that participated in each one of our point races. That was an astonishing number of drivers, 11 to be exact, and machines that showed the fans that they were committed to bringing the past back while putting on a great show for all to see.
Those eleven drivers were:
- Alan McDonald
- Dan Wood
- Frank Blanchard
- Merv Blackwell
- John Flach
- Malcum Warner
- John Constantino
- Stanley Wetmore
- Carl Cram
- George Palmer
- Rob Sanford
Contingency Awards were handed out from two of our Sponsors, Swagger Factory Apparel and The Red Chair Guy (RCG).
Out of these 11 drivers, two names were drawn for each. Two would receive the choice of Custom racing gloves, shoes or five crew shirts from Swagger and two drivers won a cash prize from RCG.
The lucky winners for the apparel were Alan McDonald and George Palmer while the two cash prizes were won by Dan Wood and Malcum Warner.
Other special awards included the Promoter Award which went to Tex and Denna Gorden. Number one helper Award went to the eight-year-old Ryan Fallis.
Nancy Meissner presented Stanley Wetmore and John Flach with beautiful paintings of each with their Vintage cars.
A special honor to one of MVVDMS biggest supporters was given to NESCOT, the North East Stock Car Old Timer Club.
“These guys are really a great bunch people,” I said while up on stage. “I’m not sure were our series would be at without them. I sure am grateful and know all the drivers are as well. We are very grateful.”
It was a fun-filled night with an excellent Vintage Video to watch throughout the evening and Aaron Miller knocked it out of the park with his amazing trophies. Great food and awesome people hanging with the best darn drivers a promoter could ask for.
The 2019 MVVDMS could not have been possible if not for the excellent sponsors we have. They support the series all season long they couldn’t go without being mentioned.
- KUGLER’S RED BARN
- BOYD’S MOTORWORKS
- FINALE REWARD TROPHIES
- MATHEWSON’S FARM
- CUSTOM BY BOB
- WINNER’S CIRCLE
- HOFFMAN RACING
- NESCOT
- NEW DAY MOTORS
- RED CHAIR GUY
- BUANNO’S CUSTOM BODY SHOP
- GLOVE CITY TAXI
- JOHN’S AUTO REPAIR
- SHARON & TOM SPENCER
- L&E CONSTRUCTION
- SWAGGER FACTORY APPAREL
One thing that is certain. For 2020 with the MVVDMS, our goal will still be to keep showing the fans and promoters that our series is about keeping our history front and center. We want our memories of the cars and stars that made our sport great visible so the fans can relate to them and we can show the younger generation how it use to be.
This could not be possible if not for all the promoters that are also dedicated to Vintage Racing, including Brett Deyo from Fonda, Lyle DeVore from Albany-Saratoga, Butch Hazzard and Ray Sefrin from Glen Ridge and Howard Commander from Lebanon Valley.
The 2019 Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series season has now come to an end. It could not have been as successful if not for the Media and our great team. Now, on to 2020.
