Lebanon Valley Raises The Bar With Nearly $95,000 Point Fund Payout
Sunday March 22, 2009
By: Rodney Rescott

West Lebanon, NY: Another record set by Howard Commander’s Lebanon Valley Speedway celebrated it’s 2008 champions by dolling out nearly $95,000 in point money in all 4 major divisions! This is once again the highest weekly point fund not only in the Northeast, but in the country.
 
The economy may be teetering, but in the Northeast corner of Columbia County, there is some big money being paid out to people that actually deserve it! The 2008 champs all congregated at the Valley of Speed along with about 1,000 of their closest friends to celebrate their accomplishments in winning the most coveted point title in weekly dirt track racing.
 
Back again to the head table for the Big Block Modifieds was Averill Park, NY native J. R. Heffner, but this time he had to share his seat with co-champion and 3rd generation driver Mark Flach Jr.
 
Both champions survived all summer and tied in points, both without winning a single feature event. After their words of thanks and gratitude aimed at their respective teams, sponsors, and more importantly, their fans, Howard Commander joined thee co-champs on stage to hand over the twin checks for $5,870 made out to each champ.
 
Andy Bachetti was in the hunt all year, but had to settle for 3rd to Flach and Heffner. He received a check for just under $4,800. Kenny Tremont, Guy Sheldon, Eddie Marshall, Brian Berger, Keith Flach, Wayne Jelley, and Matt Quinn with his check for just under $3,800 completed your top 10 in points for 2008.
 
And not to be out done, Heffner stayed on stage to accept the champions accolades for capturing the Benjamin Moore Paints 358 Super Series.
 
The payoffs didn’t just end with the big guns, as the Sportsman division took to the stage to get their piece of the big money point fund. Chris Tryon took the 2008 points title by finishing with 13 top 10’s, 8 top 5’s, and 3 victories. He stood along side Howard Commander to get his check for $3,526.
 
Kory Sandstedt finished out 2008 in 2nd place to earn a check for $2,899, while Neil Stratton rounded out the year in 3rd for a check in the amount of $2,887.
 
Jeff Watson, Brian Sandstedt, Frank Harper, Ed Harkins, Danny Sanchez, Kolby Schroder, and Kyle Hoffman, with his check for just under $2,500, completed your top 10 in the Sportsman division.
 
A special awards portion of the banquets were also part of the festivities. The Annual Jeff Yasinsac “Mr. Excitement” Award was presented by Robin Yasinsac Gillespie was awarded to Kory Sandstedt. The Lebanon Valley Board of Directors award was presented to John Royals for all his years of tireless and thankless efforts in keeping Lebanon Valley the highest paying weekly dirt track in the country.
 
The third award presented on Saturday night was the coveted Hall of Fame Induction. This year the committee chose Ron Mensing of Nassau, NY. Mr. Mensing has devoted nearly 2/3 of his life to racing and to Lebanon Valley Speedway. He drove race cars back in the 60’s, then moved on to drive a tow truck at the Valley of Speed for nearly 30 years.
 
If that wasn’t enough excitement and emotion, Friday Night’s banquet added to the upbeat and positive thoughts that the racing community brings to the Capital Region.
 
The head table on this night was held by Melonville, NY’s Robbie Speed. The 2008 Pro Stock Champion battled with Paul LaRochelle all season long, and right down to the last race, on the last lap, to take the title. Speed had 15 top 10’s, 13 top 5’s, and 3 victories to take the title by a slim 7 point margin. For his efforts, Howard Commander presented Speed with a check for $2,311. Paul LaRochelle finished runner up for a check for $1,994, and Kevin Arnold powered home 3rd for a check of $1,964.
 
Nick Hilt, Jason Casey, Jay Casey, Rick Dempsey, Victor Hopkins, Jon Routhier, and Matt Chadic, with his check for $1,424, completed the top 10 in points for 2008 in the Pro Stock division.
 
In the Limited Pro Stocks, Scott Kilmer took home the 2008 Points Championship. Tim Sayers, Frank Twing Jr, jay Kreutziger Jr., and Jery Helms Sr., completed the top 5 in points.
 
And the old wily veteran Al Relyea scored the 2008 Points title in the Purestock division. Al Relyea had 14 top 10’s, 13 top 5’s, and 3 wins, that earned him a check for $500. Mike Eichstedt came home 2nd to earn a check for $400, while Phil Wood finished 3rd for a check for $300.
 
Mark Webb and Kirk Stanaway rounded out the top 5 for a check for $100 each. Lou Ganczar, Ray Hall Sr, Pete Wiegand, Doug Olds, and Bob palmer rounded out the top 10 in points for 2008.
 
There was also a special awards ceremony on Friday night where the 2008 Purestock driver of the year was awarded to Mike Eichstedt, and the 2008 Pro Stock Driver of the Year award was presented to Nick Hilt.
 
The Staff and Management Team from Lebanon Valley Speedway and the Lebanon Valley Board of Directors congratulates all the 2008 Point Champions!
 
And they would also like to thank all the sponsors that make it all possible: New England Racing Fuels, Ackner Racing Products, Boomer’s Performance, DMC Racing Products, Hometown Wine and Spirits, Napa Machine Shop, Thoma Tire, Thruway Beverage, Comfort Inn and Suites, Area Auto Racing News, Gater Racing News, Kustom Keepsakes, S&S Detailing, Mohegan Sun, Jay Terry, and all the LVS 50/50 Girls!
 
Throughout the evening the track was promoting new programs and division for the 2009 racing season. One of the big announcements came on Saturday night with the addition of the Funplex Funpark and Gillespie Automotive Big Money Challenge.
 
Each week at during the pre-race ceremonies for the Big Block Modified feature event, a lucky fan will spin the big wheel of the Big Money Challenge. The wheel will feature the numbers 1 through 24. When the wheel is spun, thee starting spot that it falls on, will be eligible for an extra $1,000 bonus from Funplex Funpark and Gillespie Automotive.
 
The Big Money Challenge can be made available for all the other 3 major divisions with a little more sponsorship! If you want your name on top of the Big Money Challenge, contact the Speedway Offices for more details.
 
To see our 2009 schedule, rules, divisions, and any other special events at the Valley of Speed, visit our website at www.LebanonValley.com, and click on “Speedway”, or call the Speedway Offices at (518) 794-9606, (518) 794-9965.
 
“Family, Friends, and Fast Cars - Lebanon Valley Speedway”