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NARC & Golden State Honor Kaeding & Day - 12/02/00 Reno, NV. - by Staff ... The Northern Auto Racing Club & Golden State Challenge honored their respective champions Saturday night at the Silver Legacy Resort Hotel and Casino. Brent Kaeding snared his 13th NARC driving title, while Ronnie Day earned his first ever GSC "King of California" championship.
"BK", driving for M&M Racing was dominant on the NARC tour, winning a Club high, seven features. The Billy Albini prepared Maxim finished in the top ten at 19 of 20 NARC events. In GSC, Kaeding finished fourth with wins at Hanford, and Bakersfield.
Day was fast all season, posting quick time at six of the 13 GSC races. The Country Builders #88 won features in GSC at Hanford and Chico. Day reiterated that he will not defend the title in 2001, opting to take a shot at NASCAR's Southwest Tour with car owner Weldon Offill.
The club's highest honor, the Louie Vermeil President's Trophy was accepted by a tearful, Katie Williams in name of Arlene Filipich who died of cancer this Summer. The beloved Filipich was a friend to all in the NARC Family. She devoted countless hours to NARC as organizer of several benefits for the NARC Racers Benevolent Fund.
Al Petersen, owner of Brent Kaeding's M&M Racing sprinter took home the Walt Ross Trophy for his continued support of NARC. Named after the former NARC Car owner and President, the prestigious award is a symbol of unabashed love for sprint car racing in Northern California.
In perhaps the most moving moment of the night, Tom Talrton was honored as the SportsPerson of the Year. Tarlton, the father of three-time GSC winner, Tommy Tarlton - was nearly killed last winter in a freak accident. He was dining at coffee shop near his Fresno, CA. home when a car crashed into the diner and the booth he was sitting at. Tarlton was taken aback by the award, and admitted "I wasn't sure I would be here tonight".
A "choked-up" Bill Foland (BF) accepted the Dave Bradway Jr. Most Inspirational Trophy. The Kaeding crewmember and HammerDownUSA columnist was lauded for "eating, drinking, sleeping, and breathing racing - just as Dave Bradway Jr. did".
Tipton, California's Mike Faria was named the NARC Rookie of the Year. His fifth place finish in the championship standings allowed him edge out two-time feature winner Damion Gardner.
Brian Coelho was tabbed as the club's Most Improved Driver. Coelho won his first feature event at Watsonville Speedway in August. He captured three dashes and had a quick time effort en route to a sixth place finish in the final point standings.
Australian, Ashley Smith was crowned "Crew Chief of the Year". The MDR Machine sponsored award was a popular choice. Smith wrenched Peter Murphy's #0 to a ninth place finish in the GSC standings.
NARC car-owner runner-up, Rick Wright earned the Most Dedicated Car Owner award. Wright, on a small budget traveled to all 20 NARC events and rebuilt bent race cars when necessary to stay in the thick of the points chase. The Wright One Construction #35 earned praise for always looking clean and race-ready.