(Moncton, NB. November 24, 2012)- The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour celebrated the accomplishments of their teams and drivers at their annual awards banquet on Saturday. For the first time in series history, the Awards Gala was held in the province of New Brunswick, taking place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Moncton. Over 200 drivers, crews, officials and fans packed the ballroom to celebrate the presentation of the $50,000 Parts for Trucks Point Fund, contingency, vendor and other special awards.
The lion’s share of the Parts for Trucks Point Fund went to series champion Shawn Turple of Enfield, NS. Turple, who drove to his second career series title in 2012, received a $10,000 cheque from Rudi Foster of Parts for Trucks along with the stunning championship trophy. The champion also receives an official championship ring, which has been commissioned by Inglis Jewelers of Truro, NS. Fittingly, Turple scored his only win on the 2012 season a half hour down the road from the Crowne Plaza at Petty International Raceway during the August running of the Irving Max1 – 150. The Stephen Henderson owned #0 Dexter Construction/Municipal Group Chevrolet Impala finished every one of the 12 races in the Top Ten in 2012 and completed all but one of the 1,701 feature laps this past Summer.
The Top 17 teams and drivers in the year end point standings were honored at the Awards Gala, including four rookies that took part in the Exide Batteries Rookie of the Year chase. Steve Halpin of Saint John, NB was the top freshman of the year and picked up the trophy and cash bonus from Ken Godin of Exide. Halpin bested Dylan Gosbee (Cornwall, PE), Terry Dougay (Albany, PE) and Brad Eddy (Lower Sackville, NS) for the prestigious award.
Donald Chisholm of Antigonish, NS took home the Atlantic Tiltload Time Trial Award after taking the quick time at four events this season. Craig Slaunwhite of Terence Bay, NS picked up the Linde Most Laps Led Award, pacing the field for an impressive 280 laps or 17% of this season’s feature laps. Local racer Mike Stevens of Riverview, NB was awarded the Urquhart MacDonald Drive to The Front Award which is given to the driver with the most improved finish position over the previous year. Stevens finished 17th in 2011 and ended the 2012 season in 8th. John Flemming of Halifax, NS took home the Cathy Ledwidge Memorial Most Sportsmanlike Driver Award on Saturday.
Vendor awards were also presented throughout the evening to drivers via random draw. Lucas Oil awarded three $750 product sponsorships to Shawn Turple, Dylan Gosbee and Greg Proude. Linde awarded an electric welder to Terry Dougay (Albany, PE). MK Auto Products presented a re-skin package to Brad Eddy. R&D performancenter gave a $250 gift certificate to Craig Slaunwhite and a Five Star body to Mike Stevens.
Rudi Foster from series sponsor Parts for Trucks presented Junior and Brenda Kelly with a cheque worth $4,200 for the Scott Kelly Memorial Toy Fund at the IWK Hospital. Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour hats sales from the season were donated to the Toy Fund and generously matched by Parts for Trucks. An additional $200 was donated on behalf of Donald Chisholm from Atlantic Tiltload for winning the Time Trial Award in 2012.
Focus will now shift to 2013 and the 13th edition of the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour. Schedule announcements, along with rules announcements for competitors are expected within the next few months. For more information on the series, keep tabs on www.MaritimeProStockTour.com
About the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour:
The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (PST) is the highest level of stock car racing in Canada. The Tour is recognized in the industry as one of the healthiest stock car racing series in North America. PST visits five tracks throughout the Maritimes during its May through September season. The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour is owned and operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. For more information, call our administration office at 902.481.2531 or click www.maritimeprostocktour.com
Tara Foster/ Media@maritimeprostocktour.com
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