Who are some of the front runners, dirt/asphalt? Can Johnny Benson be eligible?

I would vote for Brian Bergakker at K-Zoo in the black #12 modified. Brian has won 10 modified features out of 11 races. He won the USA mod show on saturday. He has won the last 9 mod features in a row. The only feature he didn't win, was the second night of the season and he finished 3rd. Brian also runs a SLM at K-Zoo part time and finished 4th in the KLASH SERIES points. He finished 5th in the Klash on wednesday and won the modified portion of the event.

Jimmy Gallagher should be considered.

I'm voting Brian Campbell. 3 ASALM Challenge Feature Wins (Berlin, Bristol, and now Milwaukee Mile)

I agree!!!!

He may not have as many shows in a some of the other guys but how about Craig Curtis out of the dwarf cars. Hasn't qualified worse then 3rd. 4 feature wins and 2 2nd's. Not a bad season for a guy in a traveling series...

If Jeep VanWormer wins the World 100 him. Otherwise I have to go with Brian Ruhlman, looking like another Sunoco ALMS title headed back to Clark Lake. Asphalt, I don't know.

Let's see,

Driver of the Year.

Means dedication, hard work, consistency, hard work, smooth driving, hard work, winning some big races, hard work, you get the drift.

I would definitely tell all to seriously consider Leroy Ellis.

Hard work, dedication and more hard work on his part and his wif'e part lead to his Modified Championship at Spartan.

Feature wins, Big Race wins, numerous fast times, and a lot of hard work on his ride. Nothing was handed to Leroy by anyone this year, he earned it all.

have a good day,

schinde

He finished 2nd at the Xtreme 100 at Mt. Pleasant Sunday, behind John McCaul (I think that was his name #27)

Jimmy G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

how about LJ how many wins does he have this year?

I would have to say John McCaul,They said on sunday that out of the last 20 races he has only lost one,So i guess with sundays Extreme 100 win at Mt. Pleasant that would be a 20-1 record on the season.I am not positive on it but i think most of the wins being features.

He not only won the Xtreme 100, he ran away with it.
(Yes, I WAS at a dirt race )

I would also say Mc Caul on the dirt and Leroy Ellis on the Asphalt.

Gallagher would also be a posibility in the Supers
Rowdy Edson in Ponies
The chick in the 01 at Owosso for the pures
Welch in the Limiteds

THEY JUST FORGOT TO PUT IN THERE THAT JOHNS LITTLE BUDDY BLOCKED FOR OH ABOUT 85 LAPS FOR HIM AND THAT HE WRECKED PEOPLE IN HIS HEAT RACE TO GET THERE WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE WENT TO THE REAR AND NOT TO MENTION THAT HE WAS BEING A POOR SPORT ABOUT THE DRAWING FOR YOUR POSITION IN THE HEATS....SHALL I CONTINUE???

John McCaul for driver of the year.

22 Feature Wins this year including the Xtreme 100.

He has only lost Opening night at Winston....
Has only lost 4 times at Thunderbird... (we beat him 3 out of those 4)
Has only lost 1 time at Mid-Michigan while leading (blew tire).
Didn't win at Merritt in only appearance...

He has truly been dominant.

As for the white #27 of Stan Dodds supposedly "blocking" for McCaul at the Xtreme...
How can you be "blocking" when you hold your line at the top of the track? Should he lay over and let people pass him? HECK NO! Yes they are good friends, but Stan went a lap down early and he never drove into anyone or chopped anyone off to "block".

I don't know what happened in his heat race, so can't comment on that, but all I know is that when your car is extremely tight and the guy passing you knows it, you need to give the guy a little room.

Do I need to remind you that #27 was LAP CAR??? Hmmm...I think Rich should have had the right away since he was clearly on the lead lap....I wonder how you would feel if that would have happened to you?? But then that would be a different story right??

I also would have vote for Brian Bergakker. I get to witness his "Detication to Perfection" each and every week in the race garage. I wouldn't say he does anything special, just very thorough. VERY thorough. I joke with him often about being a pain in the ass when it comes to checking the same things over and over, but to be honest, his record speaks for itself. I'm proud to have him as a teammate and a great friend. After 5 straight years of finishing second in the Championship (4 Limited Lates and 1 Modified) he appears to be headed for his 1st ever Championship with the Modified, and rightfully so. Congratulations Brian! Oh, and by the way, the season isn't over yet either. Good luck to all.

Brad Shellenbarger #97
Kzoo Pure Stock

I am surprised that no one has mentioned Brad Kesolowski. I would certainly have him at the top of the list!!

If we are only thinking locally, it is hard to refute John McCaul with his domination this year. We'll have to see how the big year-end races go.

Yes I know Stan was a lap car, but the fact remains he held his line on the high side the whole race and noone could get by him. So he should yield to the others why?? If McCaul would have slipped that would have given Stan the lead lap back. In a 100 lap race you have to race your own race and that exactly what Dodds did. He never once ran anyone off the track or chopped anyone off... he held his line and noone could do anything with him.

For next years race maybe within 10 to go all lap cars should go to the rear?

So when someone gets a lap down they should lay over and allow people to pass him? I don't think so....

I'm with you Jon.

I talked to my dad during the race and wasn't sure if the 27 white car was a lapped down, but he sure was running DANG good for being a lap down...

The only thing that I didn't like was when the 15 did pass him, the caution would come out and the 27 would jump right back out there because the inside line was useless. Once 2nd place clears you, the sporting thing to do would be to let the leaders race.

The only thing that I didn't like was when the 15 did pass him, the caution would come out and the 27 would jump right back out there because the inside line was useless. Once 2nd place clears you, the sporting thing to do would be to let the leaders race.


--------------------

Josh Hahn
#97 Dixie Factory Stock

Thank you!! MY POINT EXACTLY!!!!

HEY, start your own argument post. This is for Driver of the Year, stay on topic please.

agreed
This is a no hijacking zone

Needforlatemodelspeed said:

"HEY, start your own argument post. This is for Driver of the Year, stay on topic please. "


Thank you, that is exactly correct.

I will once again chime in for Leroy Ellis, the epitome of a driver who's effort got him to where he is right now, with his wife's help, he ran good all year, drove hard all year, and stayed atop of some good competition.

Up to the last night of the season, Larry Wallace and Chris Ozanich were also contenders for the top spot at Spartan, the outcome of that championship night race was the one that would have determined the championship.

If I am not mistaken, eight points or so separated all three.

Ton's of pressure on Leroy, and he pulled it off.

He is definitely worthy of this consideration.

have a good day,

schinde

I would have to say Rich Robinson Jr 15 modified he has been repeatedly dominate for the past few years

Bergakker for asphalt and McCaul for dirt - both in modifieds. Both have been dominate in there classes.

I misposted. Dirt/Asphalt mean't Dirt OR Asphalt. But either way, we need someone to vote for.

Brain Bergaker without a doubt!

Brain has put on a clinic at Kalamazoo Speedway this season in the modified division. On opening night I came close to beating him, but close only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades. Only one person has beaten him this year, Kalamazoo Speedway legend and I believe former Kalamazoo Klash Champion, Chris Orr.

He is not beating a bunch of also rans either. Normally when the O'Reilly USA Modifieds come to town, they dominate the local track regulars with ease. Last Saturday night the O'Reillly USA Modified Series traveled to Kalamazoo Speedway and were the ones being dominated. Only one USA regular finished in the top 10 with Bergaker making the rest of the field look silly. At one point in the race after a long green flag run, Brian had a full straightaway lead on the second place car.

The list of Track Champions and Heavy Hitters who concentrate more on wins than Championships is very long. The following is a list of those he has made look silly this season - Harry Foote Jr. (Multi time Track Champion and 2008 Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame Inducte), Brian Nester, Chris Orr, Jeff Ganus, AJ Foote, Johnny Bellott, Scott Coe, Todd Foote, Brent Hook, "The Governor" Dan Logan, Phil Bozell, John Long, Jeff Weston, Tim Burkett, Harold Scott, and John Mamula are just the guys he has spanked in the modified division.

As someone else said before me, he has also ran the Super Late Model Division on a PART TIME basis and finished very well in the Kalamazoo Klash as well as the Klash Series Points.

Former Michigan Racing Scene Driver of the Year, and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Andy Bozzell, never dominated a Season Championship run like Bergaker has this year.

Dan Frazier #96

I think this should be for the best driver to run dirt AND asphalt in the same season. Might get me into the top 5.

Gavin, I think you might get into the top 5 by default as not a whole lot are doing that!

If we went double duty honors my top Michigan pick would be Curt Spalding - he has multiple wins in a dirt mod this year and has ran near the front in both asphalt and dirt late models.

You would be in the top five for drivers with the most uses of the letter "y" in a last name.

See you on Saturday!

i have 2 things to say flying brian is good at kazoo but dont forget jeff ganus he has won several at m40 in 3 classes and several wins at kazoo and new paris in pro stock i say jeff ganus or scott hantz

John McCaul

Never heard of him, but if he makes the World 100, I'll consider it.

LOL, and it's easier to say than Buffenbarger.

To my previous point, Davey Brown has ran sprints regularly on dirt and pavement this year. I think that's pretty cool.

That would be hard to do beings he drives only Modifieds... not Late Models.

i gotta tell ya that i have raced each week with brian bergakker and the season he has had can only be described with one word 'DOMINANT". he has drove that car from 8th, 10th, 12th, whatever, to the front night after night and nobody has had anything for him. not knocking anyone else mentioned or any other racetrack, but to do that occasionally at kalamazoo is a tough task, but doing it all year long is unheard of there. my vote would be for brian as well. by the way, as long as he can get that thing to start up and make a qualifying lap, he has FINALLY got the ellusive championship he has chased and so very much deserved. congrats brian.

Terry Senneker is pushing to have his name up there the way he is closing out the year!

Just say NO to bergaker. Him and his crew member told me I could not look at his car. One reason was that I do not race there at K-Zoo all the time. I was looking over his car when it was sitting ahead of me in line for the clash race. I knew it was fast and it was just as good looking so I was checking it out, I didn't touch it or neither would I do a thing to anyones car but I almost had to fight to remain looking toward his car. After being told to quit looking I had to go back for a close look again since we do live in America and we have a right to look at things at any time I please. A RIGHT I am willing to fight for anytime.

Brian came over after the words with his crew member?? and told me he did not want me to look at his car so I told him the American rights and freedoms story are for jerks like him. Maybe winning causes people's heads to swell and gives them additional rights that us common people do not have. But in my country we can look at anything anytime we want and he will just have to do what he has to do because I was still looking.

I have considered that his crew member or whatever pumped his a** full of bull and pointed him over to me but all I can say is he is no shining example of the racing spirit or of American freedom. I told him I would never harm or touch his racer in any way but the guy still insisted that his car could not be looked at so I just said do what ya gotta I ain't turnin my eyes as he or his car goes by.

On the other hand I was looking Freddie Campbell's car over real well also and he came over and talked some and answered some questions I had about his stuff and he was very nice and answered my questions and not upset I was looking. I looked almost every car over and only had one problem.

SO my vote is for Freddie for being a gentleman to a stranger.

I always felt that racers teching other racers was a relief to the officials. Sure if he has some crazy shock valving he would want to hide it, but if nothing is illegal then why all the fuss. I dont agree with this guys attitude, and keeping people from simply "looking" shouldn't be allowed. I have never raced at the zoo, how good are the techs there?

Full agreement here Dick,

unless you have some form of Superman eyes that you shoot laser beams out of.

And the last time I saw anything remotely close to laser beam eyes was in the comic strips or movies.

I would consider it an honor if someone was checking out my ride, especially if I was having a great season such as his.

But, to each his own I guess. I just don't understand why his crew member would be upset over something like that. Last time I knew, it was commonplace amongst drivers to look at each other's cars. At least you did it openly, and not in some sneaky manner.

have a good day,

schinde

I could not believe he was serious at first so I asked if he was serious a couple of times.His helper/co owner that is.

I am pretty good at picking up angles and setup stuff by just looking but noone has much on anyone with a normal set ups. I would have taken it as a compliment myself.

Maybe bergakker for driver of the year at Kzoo. I think that the Michigan Racing Scene Driver of the year would have to be someone who has won at a multitude of tracks. I'm not for sure if he's been mentioned but how about Brian Campbell?

I have seen people cover their tires or rearends while in their pits and to peek under the cover is a no no. But, if they are in line out of their pit and you aint touching their car I think you have the right to look anywhere. I wouldn't think that this team is hiding anything but you gotta wonder.

I am going to go ahead and suggest Chance Rice as he has completely dominated the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Michigan Legends Series this season with 8 feature wins. He is a clean driver who normally works his way to the front very modically when He has to do so.

Rice has numerous heat race wins also. Someone said they would like to see someone win it who has raced and won on a multitude of tracks and here is a guy that has done just that. He might not be driving a Late Model or something else but make no mistake about a Legends Car being a total racing machine, they are and they are very hard to drive let alone drive well with consistency.

I know I might be a little biased by being the Series P.R. Director but remember that I don't have a home track and travel all over the place to take care of my duties with the Michigan Legends as well as my duties with MARFC so I have seen a lot of different drivers in many different divisions. I think the kid deserves consideration for the title.

QUOTE (mod911 @ Sep 4 2008, 08:53 AM)
Just say NO to bergaker. Him and his crew member told me I could not look at his car. One reason was that I do not race there at K-Zoo all the time. I was looking over his car when it was sitting ahead of me in line for the clash race. I knew it was fast and it was just as good looking so I was checking it out, I didn't touch it or neither would I do a thing to anyones car but I almost had to fight to remain looking toward his car. After being told to quit looking I had to go back for a close look again since we do live in America and we have a right to look at things at any time I please. A RIGHT I am willing to fight for anytime.

Brian came over after the words with his crew member?? and told me he did not want me to look at his car so I told him the American rights and freedoms story are for jerks like him. Maybe winning causes people's heads to swell and gives them additional rights that us common people do not have. But in my country we can look at anything anytime we want and he will just have to do what he has to do because I was still looking.

I have considered that his crew member or whatever pumped his a** full of bull and pointed him over to me but all I can say is he is no shining example of the racing spirit or of American freedom. I told him I would never harm or touch his racer in any way but the guy still insisted that his car could not be looked at so I just said do what ya gotta I ain't turnin my eyes as he or his car goes by.

On the other hand I was looking Freddie Campbell's car over real well also and he came over and talked some and answered some questions I had about his stuff and he was very nice and answered my questions and not upset I was looking. I looked almost every car over and only had one problem.

SO my vote is for Freddie for being a gentleman to a stranger.

________________________________________________________________________________
_______________

First of all I will say that I did not see this incident take place, but heard about it very shortly after the fact. I assured Brian AFTERWARDS that Dick Maurer meant him no harm(even though I only know him from what he posts here), and that it probably wasn't that big of deal.
However, this is what I do know. The mods were all lined up on the make ready chute for the feature with the drivers all at or NEAR their racecars. Brian was informed, by a third party, that Mr. Maurer was laying across the top of his fuel cell looking around. Whether that's what happened or how it happened, or even not, that is what he was told and how he chose to react to that was up to him. If that is what happened, then that to me is an inconsiderate way of "just looking around". He wasn't far enough from his car that he couldn't have approached him with some questions. COMMON COURTESY, which a lot of people seem to forget about these days, may have prevented a heated incident. Whether or not Brian would have chose to discuss his set up would have been up to him, and no one else. The American Freedom Acts/Story doesn't give each of us the right to bypass being considerate to one another's feelings. Perhaps the TWO of you should have discussed the situation after the race so there were no hard feelings.
Next time ask first. I've never had a problem giving advice or answering a question or two, especially to visitors. Kalamazoo is a very competetive race track. Often times when a driver there finds a set up/maintenance routine that no one else can touch, he is labeled a cheater. It's too bad someone's hard work and determination can be that easily overlooked now days.

This is another good example of how a misunderstanding at the race track becomes a 'he said she said', 'I'm going to drag your name through the mud', bashing on a forum thread. If you eliminate the possibility of the middle man in this situation, it very well may have been prevented, American freedom rights or not.

Respect one another.

Maybe they thought you were the guy causing shenanigans after the Nationwide race at MIS in August Dick. You didnt happen to have some sort of "magnetic shim" in your hand did you?

Excellent post Weasel97.

I am going to wait until I see a little racing outside my own world to make a suggeation as to who I think the driver of the year is.

Ed,

You have seen me run pretty well (Auto City, Toledo)!!

But, you have also seen me hit a parked car......so I guess that takes me out of the running, lol.