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ARDC CROWNS 2012 CHAMPIONS
The American Racing Drivers Club, Inc. (ARDC) crowned its
Champions for the 2012 racing season at their Annual Awards Dinner held at
Lobitz Catering, in Hazleton, PA. Tim Buckwalter of Douglassville, PA clinched
the the driver's title with one race remaining on the 2012 schedule. The
Owner's Championship came down to the final checkered flag with #49 R/T Racing
of Dyke & Carey Becker edging out the competition.
For Buckwalter, the Championship came after just three
seasons of competition with the wingless midgets of ARDC. Buckwalter was named
the ARDC Rookie of the Year in 2010.
Buckwalter opened the 2012 season with a win at the Big
Diamond Speedway in early April. Two more wins - one at Williams Grove and one
at Winchester - with a total of fifteen top ten finishes in the nineteen event
season put Buckwalter on the top of the title chase.
Trevor Kobylarz, who trailed Buckwalter in the Driver's
Championship, was able to gain enough points during the season finale to reward
his R/T Racing car owners with the Owner's Championship. In addition to
finishing second in Driver points, Kobylarz, of Birdsboro, PA, was also named
the Most Improved Driver by ARDC for the 2012 season. Kobylarz won his first
ever ARDC event at the Potomac Speedway in May and then picked up a second win
at Port Royal a few weeks later. Kobylarz led all competitors with eleven top
five finishes.
Buckwalter and Kobylarz shared the spotlight with their
fathers who were named as the Ken Hickey Mechanics of the Year. Rick Buckwalter
and Bryan Kobylarz have supported their sons through their advancement in racing
- from the early days of quarter midgets to the present. Both have mentored the
second generation drivers and served as crew chiefs for their respective
teams.
Brett Wanner of Shoemakersville, PA was selected as the 2012
ARDC Rookie of the Year. Wanner made the move from Micro Sprints to ARDC this
season, picking up a win during the club's second visit to the Winchester
Speedway in August. Wanner ended the season with one win, four top ten finishes
and a heat win, finishing fifteenth in driver points.
Both Kobylarz and Wanner received special awards from CR
Graphics.
BDB Graphics sponsored the Best Appearing Car Award. This
year's selection was made by Internet vote with the #46 of Scott and Brett Arndt
winning the most votes. The Arndts will receive a graphics package for the 2013
as part of their award.
Nick Wean was the winner of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear
Award. Wean accumulated the most points during the first stop at each track on
the 2012 ARDC schedule. Wean will receive 100 white express T-shirts from Bob
Hilbert Sportswear in 2013. Wean announced his decision to have the shirts made
in children's sizes to be distributed to the young fans.
The 2012 Galen Halteman President's Award was presented to
Kris Keath, club photographer, by ARDC Board of Governors President, Bruce
Buckwalter, Sr. Keath was recognized for his dedication to ARDC midgets from
behind the camera's lens.
Fred Schell was recognized for his years of dedication to
ARDC with the presentation of a Lifetime Membership. Schell has served on the
Board of Governors as Treasurer for ten years. Schell, a former ARDC driver
himself, continues to field a car driven by Ryan Watt and Bill Courtwright
during the 2012 season.
The 50-50 drawing from this year's awards dinner was
dedicated to George Stevens. Stevens and his daughter, Stephanie, are former
ARDC competitors. Stevens continues to recuperate from serious injuries
suffered this past year. PJ Gargiulo held the lucky ticket but returned his
winnings to be added to the amount to be presented to the Stevens family.
Hoosier Racing Tires has been a sponsor of ARDC midget racing for
several seasons and will return for the 2013 season. In addition, contingency
sponsorships are provided by Fastener Specialties, Diversified Machine, Inc.,
Mason Racing Ignitions, Kreitz Oval Track Parts, Inc., Race Bumpers.com,
Thunderhead, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, SBI Performance Fuel Systems, Custom Metal
Coatings, Jereco Competition Engines, Petock Powder Coating, Saldana Racing
Products, Ray's Yamaha, CR Graphics, Bob Hilbert Sportswear & BDB
Graphics.
2012 ARDC Final Point Standings -
Driver
Owner
1 - #52 Tim Buckwalter 1 - #49
R/T Racing
2 - #49 Trevor Kobylarz 2 - #78
Rick Wean
3 - #78 Nick Wean 3 - #52
Rick Buckwalter
4 - #88 Brenden Bright 4 - #88
Ted Bright
5 - #77 Alex Bright 5 -
#77 Joe Hemler
6 - #46 Brett Arndt 6 -
#46 Scott Arndt
7 - #83 Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 7 - #83
Bruce Buckwalter, Sr.
8 - #19 Steven Drevicki 8 - #19
Greg Fitzpatrick
9 - # 5 PJ Gargiulo 9 - #
5 Gargiulo Racing
10-#10 Mark Gilmore 10 - #10
Dale Gilmore
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