Ransomville, NY - Friday, November 7th, 2008 - The 2008 season officially came to a close last Friday night with the annual awards and dinner banquet held at the Lewiston #2 Firehall. A total of two hundred guests gathered to honor the accomplishments of so many and the awesome 2008 season enjoyed by Ransomville Speedway.  Ransomville enjoyed being on Mother Natures good side for the majority of the season as a total of twenty consectutive shows were completed prior to weather playing an issue in the month of September.
     Mr. Small Block Pete Bicknell of St. Catharines, Ont topped the Mighty Taco Modified field by 1 marker over 2007 Champ Todd Burley to capture the 08 title. In addition to his accomplishments at the big R, Pete also garnered the 2008 Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified title. Todd Burley claimed his second place trophy followed by Jeff McGinnis and Scott Kerwin who tied for 3rd.  Unique trophies were awarded to these pair that appeared to have been cut in half. Tommy Flannigan took home the Rookie of the Year honors.

     Jame Michael Friesen haed a stellar season that began with a win at Ransomville and finished with a win.  A total of two more came in the middle along with several top five finishes earning him the 08 crown over 2007 Champ Don Spatorico.  Teenage rookie sensation Ryan Susice came home third in the points battle and also earned Rookie of the Year Honors.

     Chris Burek captured the 2008 Ki-Po Streetstock Championship without winning a feature. Burek's consistent season launched him to the top of the points board over Roger Israel and Jaren Israel.

     The Bobcat of Buffalo Firehall $1000 Donation and awesome trophy was awarded to Jim Stone and the Ransomville Firehall whom barely beat out Jamie O'Donnell of the Wilson Firehall.

     Most Improved Honors went to Bob Broomfield in the Modified Ranks, Sandy Pembleton in the Sportsman division, and Derrick Borkenhagen in the Streetstock class.

     The Best Appearing Awards are amongst the hardest to award as so many drivers qualify.  For 2008 Sam Crogan won in the Modified division, Steve Miller in the Sportsman, and Mike Greenawalt in the Streetstock class. 

     Mike Greenawalt would find himself up at the awards table once again as he was honored for Owner of the Year. Greenawalt is a guy who simply loves this sport. For 2008 Mike owned a Streetstock he piloted and also the Ryan Susice Sportsman effort. In 2009 Mike announced he will add to the fleet with an additional Streetstock for his wife and also a Modified for Boyd MacTavish of Ransomville.  Greenawalt is also involved with the speedway with a Promotional night for the Streetstocks and Sportsman planned for early June.

     The Jimmy Binks Memorial Mechanic of the Year laurels went to Roy Susice. Roy is the brains behind the Greenawalt and Susice efforts according to both teams. Roy spends endless hours at the race shop on Balmer road making sure both cars are top notch prior to their Friday night outings.

     The Hard Luck award is one that no one wants to get as it designates a less than stellar season.  This years Hard Luck award went to Nate Reynolds for his many motor woes which side-lined him many weeks. Just as luck would have it-the only trophy missing from the awards table was the Hard Luck award.

     The Trevor Wilkins Memorial Hard Charger award went to a Sportsman Competitor who consistently works his way from the back of the pack to the front. While only earning one feature win in 2008, this driver was in the top three most of the season earning him the award.  2008's winner was Don Spatorico.

     The Performance award for 2008 was given to Robbie Krull. Krull came into 2008 with a program put together mainly on his own.  Without very much sponsorship and a motor simply pieced together, Krull had a great season earning him a 5th place finish in the Summer Nationals but more noteably-a 2nd place finish in the Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modified Series in July 3rd.
     The Driver of the Year is traditionally given to the driver who graces victory lane the most in a season.  This Years Driver of the year took home 4 wins at Ransomville, a track title, 8 additional wins at 5 other speedways and is the 2nd winningest driver in the DIRTcar Sportsman class. James Michael Friesen was joined at the awards table by his dad Joel and grandpa Stan to accept this highly coveted award.  In addition-James has been said to be the surprise driver of 2008 by many of the local media.  A possible Modified team in ahead for the Friesen effort.
     A big piece of news to come out of the awards and dinner banquet is the 2009 plans for Modified Rookie Tommy Flannigan.  Just days ago-Flannigan teamed up with Mike Maroney of St. Catharines and plan on racing weekly at Ransomville along with the entire 358 Modified DIRTcar Tour with Mike.  This is great news and Ransomville Speedway welcomes back legendary car owners Mike and Lisa Maroney.  This pair has also teamed up with the likes of Alan Johnson, Danny Johnson, and Stewart Friesen in the past.
     Next on the Ransomville Speedway agenda is the annual Hangover 150 slated for January 1st, 2009.