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Thanks - Gary

SYCAMORE SPEEDWAY
ARNIE GARDNER MEMORIAL RACE
9/6/08

This trip to Sycamore was our rain date for June 7th  only this night the weather co-operated and it turned out to be a beautiful night for the Arnie Gardner Memorial Race.  The stands were full and everyone was having a great time.  The fans were given the opportunity to view the debut of Mike Affarano’s awesome “Arnie Gardener #1 Lou’s Jeep Chevelle tribute car.  As seems to be our tradition, the car was completed just hours before the gates opened thanks to Bill’s Speed Shop, McBrides Body Shop out of Lockport and our honorary artist Will “Jive” Jarvis who hustled to complete lettering it for this Saturday Night Race.

Getting together the original car owner, John Fortmann of Lou’s Jeep in Geneva and original pit crew consisting of Earl “Clem” Clement and his sons Earl, Jr. & Steve and their families.  This Spectacular car easily won the trophy for “Best Appearing Vintage Car”.

Our Trophy Dash was smoking!  “Wild” Bill Stevenson drove his ’57 Chevy 4 perfect laps starting on the outside front row to beat former track champion Lil John Provenzano’s ’46 Mercury to the checkered flag. Fans and Club members were all waving and cheering as Bill took the popular win.  I think  this win meant more to me that to “Wild” Bill.  I couldn’t help but to think back to him winning our very first Trophy Dash in 2006 when we only had a club total of 4 cars!!

The Heat Race was exciting and fun as Herb Shannon’s ’57 Chevy moved from his rear starting position to the front beating Butch Dunn’s Hudson by inches to take the checkered flag.

Cars were lined up and ready for introductions for the Feature Race but time was allotted for a break in the action so WSPY radio host Rick Bill could present the Arnie Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award.  This years recipient, however, was nowhere to be found.  Roger Topple hasn’t missed a Saturday Night in 10 years unless it was an extreme situation.  As he was rushed to the Hospital at 3pm, thanks to his Gallbladder, I guess we could consider that an extreme enough situation.  Denny Falkos once again played “Batman” and saved the evening by accepting the award for Roger.  Rick Bill gave a touching speech but only the few who were standing around him could hear.  The portable mike malfunctioned and Rick did a great impersonation of Marcel Marso.  All of the drivers and Arnie’s original pit crew were introduced and we all went racing.

The Feature Lap times were as fast as the Super Late Models!!!! Us old geezers still know where the gas pedal is.  Doc Hudson jumped out in the lead but on the 2nd lap Frank Slabenak passed him and lead a few laps.  Meanwhile Bill Knippenberg was moving through the field and dove to the bottom of the track and slipped past the Studebaker Hawk and was on a mission to take the checkered flag.  Herb Shannon Jr. moved past Slabenak with 5 laps to go and took second.    Bill Knippenberg was excited about his win as it is his first Vintage Dirt Feature win. 

Best Appearing Vintage Car
Mike Affarano’s Arnie Gardner Tribute Car  ’69 Chevelle

Arnie Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by Rick Bill WSPY Radio Host to Roger Topple

Trophy Dash:

1. “Wild” Bill Stevenson  ’57 Chevy
2. Lil John Provenzano  ’46 Mercury
3. Frank Slabenak  ‘61” Studebaker

Heat Race:

1. Herb Shannon Jr.  ’57 Chevy
2. Butch Dunn  ’51 Hudson Hornet
3. Lil John Provenzano  ’61 Studebaker

Feature:

1. Bill Knippenberg  ’70 Nova
2. Herb Shannon Jr.  ’57 Chevy
3. Frank Slabenak  ’61 Studebaker
4. Lil John Provenzano  ’46 Mercury Coupe
5. Butch Dunn  ’51 Hudson