Posted by Illiana Speedway on 11/9/2004, 1:12 pm
Board Administrator

Illiana Motor Speedway Banquet and Award Night Schererville, Ind.-With a crowd of 300 in attendance at the Halls of St. George Saturday evening, Illiana Motor Speedway management and staff hosted the speedway's 38th annual banquet and awards night. During the night, John Nutley, Josh Nelms, Joe Fadke and Eddie Wolf were crowned 2004 track champions for their respective stock car divisions at the half-mile paved oval, which presented auto racing action for the 57th year. Nutley was the track's late model titlist, winning two feature races during the '04 campaign and using consistent driving to capture his first late model title at the speedway. Nutley, a stock car competitor for 26 years, bested 2003 champion Dave Weltmeyer in the standings. Mike Monroe, Kevin Moenck, Joe O'Connor and Brian Muick rounded out the top six in the final points tally. Nutley also claimed top honors in the SRC Oval Track Equipment "fast car" heat race standings. In addition to Nutley, other late model feature winners during the year included Weltmeyer, who won six feature events including the track's annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 Classic for the fourth time in his career. Eddie Hoffman won four features with Moenck, Monroe and three-time late model kingpin Mike White each garnering a win apiece during the year. Moenck was the track's late model rookie of the year with Monroe being named the most improved driver in the late model ranks. Nelms picked up his first Illiana track crown, making off with top honors in the Mid American Sportsman ranks. Nelms won an impressive six feature chases during '04 and defeated Dave Gentile, Bill Neering, Jeff Cannon, Jack Kalwasinski and Keith Sterkowitz in final point standings. Other Mid American feature winners included Gentile Cannon and Sterkowitz, who won on two occasions, along with Kalwasinski and Chris Cooling, who each notched one victory. Neering was the top driver in the Sonny's Concession's in memory of Chuck Danta "fast car" heat points. Tommy Knippenberg was awarded division rookie of the year honors, while John Fiorita was named the class' most improved driver. Fadke was the track's limited late model champion, grabbing two feature victories during the season. Fadke bested rookie of the year Anthony Danta, Kalwasinski, Jeff Mackowiak, '03 class champion Kurt McKinney and Don Theriault in the points battle. Kalwasinski led all drivers in the division with five feature wins. Other main event winners included Danta with three victories, along with Mackowiak, McKinney and Boris Jurkovic, who each won one time. Wolf was another first time track champion as he made off with top honors in the Turbo Stox class. Wolf piled up five feature wins during the season on his way to winning the division title ahead of Tom Gasik, Bill Serviss, Cher Bryant, Dave Dotter and Tom Prim. Points runner-up Gasik coped four features with Prim winning two. Last year's champion Craig Amptmeyer won one main event. Jeff Ogdon was voted the class' most improved driver, while Jeremy Cole was crowed rookie of the year. A number of other awards were given out during the evening. Dave and Judy Alger and Mick and Josie Mikuly were the recipients of a special Illiana award for their dedication. The annual Ray Nichels Sportsmanship Award went to late model driver Mike Monroe, while longtime speedway employee Bill Stump received the Harry Molenaar Award of Excellence. Tim Cronin was honored for being the winningest driver in the track's four-cylinder Pure Stock division. During the evening, over $12,000 in contingencies were awarded. Participating companies included Hoosier tire "The official tire" of the Illiana Motor Speedway Appleton Rack & Pinion, Five Star Race Car Bodies, Argo Manufacturing, Lefthander Chassis, Diamond Racing Wheels, Howe Racing Enterprises, Quartermaster, Leaf Racewear, Impact Race Products, Mechanix Wear, Design 500, Rhyne Racing Engines, Hinchman Racing Uniforms, Hypercoils, B&B Racing Engines, White and Havens Insurance, Dotter Race Cars, Glenn's Complete Car Care, RaceDriverCards.com and Schepel Buick/GMC and Suspension Spring.