By Brian Liskai: (Attica, OH) Attica Raceway Park crowned its 2007 champions at a gala awards program Saturday, Dec. 1. Earning the track titles were Byron Reed in the World Auto Parts of Huron & Cleveland 410 Sprints; Andy Shammo in the 305 sprints; Ken Hahn in the Fultz Fabrications & Speed Shop Attica Late Models; and Art Ball in the dirt trucks.
Attica Promoter John Bores thanked all the teams and fans for a successful 2007 season. He also paid special tribute to all the businesses who have become partners in the track’s success.
“To the drivers…you guys put on great shows every week. That’s what brings people to the race track. To the sponsors…without your support we couldn’t do this. It’s because of the business support we’re able to provide one of the best purses in the country every week,” said Bores.
Bores paid special tribute to World Auto Parts of Huron-Cleveland for being the division sponsor for the 410 sprints along with sponsoring nights of racing, and Fultz Fabrications & Speed Shop for their backing of the late model division.
ARP Operations Manager Rex LeJeune also thanked Kears Speedshop for providing a new Eagle chassis to Reed and a Triple X chassis to Shammo, and to Rayburn Race Cars and Wynn’s Service Drive Solutions for providing a new chassis to Hahn.
Bores also thanked the 2007 point fund sponsors, Friendship Food Stores, Underground Utilities Inc., Burns Electric, Jeff Hoyda Dentistry, Schiefer Nationwide Insurance, Quick Dry, Inc by Nick Zeis, Myers & Smith Insurance, Make a Wish Team 33, Reinecke Family Dealerships, and Missler Industries.
Prior to the top-10 in the final point standings for each division being introduced by emcee Brian Liskai, a brief video presentation produced by the Black Swamp Media Group highlighting the season was played.
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For Reed, 2007 was a banner year. Not only did he win Attica’s title – his third straight – he also claimed the track title for 2007 at Fremont. The Monclova, Ohio driver competed in all 15 A-mains at ARP in 2007. Reed, who has titles in 2003, 2005 and 2006, scored an incredible 14 top 10 runs and a remarkable 10 top fives. He posted wins on May 11, June 8, June 15 and Aug. 3 and had three runner-up finishes. Reed now has 21 career Attica victories, moving into second place on the all-time win list. His average A-main finishing position was a fantastic fourth.
“This was probably the most consistent…the best year I’ve had,” said Reed, who thanked his parents and family for their support and backing and his sponsors – JEI chassis, Pro Shocks, Black Swamp Media Group and Reebar Die Casting. “I’ve always said Attica fits my driving style better than any other track. The competition here week in and week out is second to none.”
For Shammo, 2007 was also a stellar season, as he too won the ARP title – for the second straight year – and the championship at Fremont. The Millbury, Ohio driver recorded four wins in the 13 A-mains he competed in. Incredibly, he never finished lower than 7th all season, including 9 top five runs. His average A-main finishing position was 3rd.
“While we weren’t as fast ast Bryan (Sebetto) all season, we were consistent, and we never had a DNF. That’s a tribute to my Lamar and Yvonne Burkin (car owner) my dad and the crew and to Dennis Levell at Levell Performance,” said Shammo, who announced he would be racing 410 sprints in 2008.
Hahn picked up his first career feature wins in 2007 – all three coming at Attica. The Gibsonburg, Ohio driver competed in all 16 A-mains in 2007. He racked up a remarkable 15 top 10 finishes and 10 top fives. In fact, the only time he finished out of the top 10 was a 20th on April 20. From May 4 through the end of the year his worse finish was a pair of ninth place runs. He recorded three wins – on June 1, June 15 and June 24th. His average A-main finishing position was 5th.
“We had travelled a little over my career and to be honest, racing wasn’t fun any more. Then we started coming here every week and the crew here, the drives and fans made racing fun again,” said Hahn, who thanked his family and crew for their efforts.
For 69-year-old Art Ball, 2007 was a challenge, as he had to overcome some minor health problems. The Tiffin, Ohio driver backed up last year’s championship in style. The two-time ARP street-stock/limited late model champion competed in all 13 A-mains, racking up 12 top five finishes – his worse finish a 17th on Aug. 3. He scored wins on June 1, June 15, June 22, Aug. 25 and Sept. 1 and leads the all-time win list for the division with 7 victories. From opening night to August he worse finish was a fourth. His average A-main finishing position was an incredible third.
“Keith Pierce and the entire crew won this championship. They worked their tails off to put a good truck under me,” said Ball, who noted his doctor wasn’t pleased when, after his gall bladder was removed, was back to racing just three days later.
Following is a recap of positions second through 10th in the World Auto Parts of Huron & Cleveland 410 Sprints:
2nd – Lee Jacobs
The Holmesville, Ohio driver competed in 14 of the 15 A-mains, missing only the April 20 World of Outlaws feature. He recorded 6 top-10 runs and three top fives including a season-best second on opening night and a pair of third place runs. His average feature finishing position was 10th.
3rd – Mike Linder
The Fremont, Ohio driver, who is a three-time Attica 305 champion, competed in 13 of the 15 A-mains, missing only opening night and the World of Outlaws show the following week. He recorded 7 top 10 runs, including his 7th Attica 410 feature win on July 6. Mike also scored a 305 victory, his 25th in that division, which leads all drivers. Mike’s average A-main finishing position was 11th.
4th – Paul Weaver
The Fremont, Ohio driver competed in 11 of the 15 A-mains in 2007, recording five top 10 runs, including a season-best third on June 15. His average A-main finishing position was 11th.
5th – Caleb Griffith
The Castalia, Ohio driver and former Attica rookie of the year competed in 13 of the 15 A-mains, missing only the April 20 World of Outlaws show and the All Star’s Ohio Speedweek feature on June 24. The 2003 Attica 305 champion recorded five top 10 runs including a season-best second on June 15. His average A-main finishing position was 12th.
6th – Mark Keegan
The Fremont, Ohio driver competed in 13 of the 15 A-mains in 2007, missing only the April 20 World of Outlaws feature and the May 11 show. Keegan racked up 10 top-10 runs and 6 top fives. He posted career win #55 on Aug. 18 and also had a runner-up showing on July 20 and a third with the All-Stars on May 4. The 12-time Attica champion recorded an average A-main finishing position of 8th.
7th – Chris Andrews – The 2007 ARP rookie of the year from Sandusky, Ohio, competed in 10 of the 15 A-mains in 2007. He racked up five top-10 finishes including a season-best 7th on Aug. 3. The 2006 Attica 305 sprint co-champion had an A-main average finishing position of 11th.
8th – Bruce Robenalt
The Tiffin, Ohio driver competed in 8 of the 15 A-mains in 2007. He scored three top 10 runs, including a season-best 7th on July 6. His average A-main finishing position was 13th.
9th – Aaron Middaugh – The Polk, Ohio driver competed in six of the 15 A-mains in 2007, recording a season-best15th place run on Aug. 18.
10th – John Ivy
The Fremont, Ohio driver competed in 11 of the 15 A-mains in 2007. The 1993 Attica 305 sprint champion and 2000 410 champ recorded five top 10 finishes, including a pair of thirds. His average feature finishing position was 10th.
Following is a recap of positions second through 10th in the 305 sprints:
2nd – Bryan Sebetto
The Fremont, Ohio driver was on fire at Attica in 2007. He scored a division best 8 wins in the 13 A-mains he competed in to move his career mark 10 and into 9th on the all-time 305 win list. He scored an incredible 10 top five finishes including his 8 wins and a pair of runner-up finishes. His average A-main finishing position was 5th.
3rd – Dustin Dinan
The Fremont, Ohio driver competed in all 13 features in 2007, posting 9 top 10s and an impressive 7 top fives. He recorded a pair of seconds on May 11 and Aug. 25 and a pair of thirds. In fact, from May 11 through July 6, he never finished out of the top six. His average A-main finishing position was 7th.
4th Stuart Brubaker
The Helena, Ohio driver competed in all 13 A-mains, posting 9 top 10s and six top fives. He scored three runner-up finishes, on opening night, May 18, and Aug. 18. His average A-main finishing position was 8th.
5th – Duane Zablocki
The Tiffin, Ohio driver competed in all 13 A-mains, posting 9 top 10 runs. He posted a season-best second on July 20 and a third on Aug. 18. His average A-main finishing position was 9th.
Tied for 6th – Dustin Keegan and Coty Runion
Runion, from Tiffin, Ohio, competed in 12 of the 13 A-mains, missing only the June 8th feature. He scored 10 top 10 runs including a season-best pair of third place runs on June 15 and July 20th. His average A-main finishing position was 9th.
Dustin Keegan, from Fremont, Ohio, competed in 11 of the 13 A-mains, missing only the June 22 and Aug. 18 features. He recorded 8 top 10 finishes including a season-best pair of thirds on July 6 and Aug. 25. His average A-main finishing position was 7th.
8th – Kevin Lee
The Green Springs, Ohio driver competed in 13 of the A-mains in 2007, racking up 4 top 10 runs, including a season-best third on July 13. His average A-main finishing position was 11th.
9th – Cap Henry
The 2007 ARP Rookie of the Year competed in 11 of the 13 A-mains, missing only opening night and the June 15 feature. The Bellevue, Ohio driver scored 8 top 10 runs including a season best runner-up finish on July 6. His average A-main finishing position was 10th.
10th – Mark Pridemore
The Sandusky, Ohio driver competed in six of the 13 A-mains in 2007. He recorded a pair of top 10 finishes, including a season-best 7th on July 20. His average A-main finishing position was 13th.
Following is a recap of positions second through 10th in the Fultz Fabrications and Speed Shop Attica Late Models:
2nd – Larry Kingseed
The 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 Attica champion competed in 15 of the 16 A-mains in 2007, missing only the final night to finish just 7 points out of the title. He recorded an incredible 13 top 10 finishes and 8 top fives. He opened the season with two wins to take his total at Attica to 23, tied with Art Ball for third in the division’s all-time win list. His average feature finishing position was 6th.
3rd – Ryan Missler
The former rookie of the year competed in all 16 A-mains in 2007, missing the title by just 8 points. He garnered a remarkable 12 top fives including wins on June 8, Aug. 3, Aug. 18 and Sept.1. In fact, he opened the season finishing no worse than fifth through June 8. After struggling in July, he came back to finish no worse than third the final four shows, including posting three wins during that span. His average A-main finishing position was 6th.
4th – Mike Marteney
The Bellevue, Ohio driver competed in all 16 A-mains in 2007. The 2001 Attica champion recorded an incredible 12 top 10 finishes and 6 top fives. His recorded three runner-up finishes and from June 1 through Aug. 18 never finished out of the top 10. His average A-main finishing position was 8th.
5th – Ernie Haynes
The Risingsun, Ohio driver competed in 15 of the 16 A-mains, missing only the Aug. 25 show. He recorded 10 top 10 runs including three third place runs. His average A-main finishing position was 8th.
6th – Chuck Hummer
The Ottawa Lake, Mich. driver competed in 15 of the 16 A-mains, missing only the last show of the season. He recorded five top 10 finishes including a season-best 7th on April 20. His average A-main finishing position was 13th.
7th – Steve Sabo
The Fremont, Ohio driver competed in 15 of the 16 A-mains in 2007, missing only the Aug. 25 feature. He racked up two top 10 finishes including a season-best 7th on opening night. His average A-main finishing position was 13th.
8th – John Bores
The Bellevue, Ohio driver competed in 15 of the 16 A-mains in 2007, missing only the June 24th feature. He recorded 6 top tens and scored a victory on July 6 and had a runner-up finish on May 11. His average A-main finishing position was 11th.
9th – Jeff Pelton
The 2007 ARP Rookie of the Year competed in 9 of the 16 A-mains, recording a season-best 10th place finish on June 8.
10th – Mike Bores
The Bellevue, Ohio driver competed in 14 of the 16 A-mains in 2007. He recorded 10 top tens and scored a win on May 11. His average A-main finishing position was 9th.
Following is a recap of positions second through 10th in the dirt trucks:
2nd – Cory Ward
The Bellevue, Ohio driver competed in all 13 A-mains and recorded 12 top tens – his only non-top 10 was a 12th on Aug. 25. He racked up an incredible 10 top five runs – in fact he opened the year hot, finishing no worse than sixth through Aug. 18 to finish just 14 points out of the title. He recorded wins on May 18 and July 6 and had three runner-up finishes. His average A-main finishing position was 4th.
3rd – Bob Dible
The Fostoria, Ohio driver competed in all 13 A-mains in 2007. He recorded a remarkable 12 top 10 finishes including 9 top fives. In fact, from June 22 through the end of the season he finished no wrose than fifth. He scored wins on July 13 and July 20 and had five runner-up finishes, including the final four shows of the year. His average A-main finishing position was 4th.
4th – Shawn Valenti
The Risingsun, Ohio driver competed in 12 of the 13 A-mains, missing only the final show. He recorded 11 top tens, his worse finish of the year a 13th on July 6. He scored an incredible 10 top five finishes, including opening the year hot, finishing no worse than 5th through June. He scored wins on June 8 and Aug. 3. His average A-main finishing position was 4th.
5th – Steve Endicott
The Risingsun, Ohio driver competed in 12 of the 13 A-mains, missing only the final show of the year. He recorded an incredible 11 top tens and six top fives – his only non-top 10 finish was a 16th on July 13.. He opened the season with a pair of runner-up finishes. Hisaverage A-main finishing position was 6th.
6th – Chuck Roelle
The Fostoria, Ohio driver competed in all 13 A-mains in 2007. He racked up a remarkable 12 top 10 finishes – his only non-top 10 was a 14th on May 18. He had four top fives including a season-best pair of thirds. His average feature finishing position was 7th.
7th – Brian Arnold
The Tiffin, Ohio driver competed in 12 of the 13 A-mains, missing only the June 22 feature. He recorded 10 top 10 finishes and an incredible 9 top fives. He recorded two wins, on opening night and Aug. 18. His average A-main finishing position was 6th.
8th – Eric DeVanna
The Kansas, Ohio driver competed in 12 of the 13 A-mains, missing only the season finale. He recorded 7 top ten finishes including a season-best 4th on May 18. His average A-main finishing position was 10th.
9th – Donald Fitch
The ARP Rookie of the Year competed in 12 of the 13 A-mains, missing only opening night. He recorded three top 10s including a season-best finish of 9th on July 20th. His average A-main finishing position was 12th.
10th – Dave Gibbs
The Republic, Ohio driver competed in 11 of the 13 features in 2007, missing the June 22 and the season-ending shows. He recorded four top 10s including a season-best 8th on May 18. His average A-main finishing position was 12th.