By Bryan Gapinski
Sun Praire, Wis., Nov. 17 — Driver Champion Gary “Bubba” Alitg and car owner Hans Lein headlined the list of honorees at the annual Badger Midget Auto Racing Association awards banquet Saturday Night at the Angell Park Pavilion . The event brought the curtain down on the 76th anniversary season for the series sponsored by Mid-State Equipment and the Stark Automotive Group.
Altig’s season was highlighted by a June 23 feature victory at Macon (Ill.) Raceway and seven top five feature finishes in the sixteen race schedule. Lein used six different drivers in the Spike/Ford-Esslinger No. 2 on his way to winning the Car Owner Championship. Altig and Lein also took home the lion share of cash point fund. Third generation driver Vance Lein, Han’s son and grandson of 1971 Badger Champion Lars Lein captured Rookie of the Year Honors.
Other award winners included: Scott Hatton (Terry Vaughn Award), Harlan Kittleson (Mechanic of the Year), Brad Kuhn (Frank Conner Award), Dwight Huston (Pat Stender Award), David Budres (Kevin Doty Award), Jeff Arns (Media Award), Bob Koltes & Bill Ecker (Appreciation Award), Mid-State Equipment, Stark Automotive (Sponsor Appreciation), Manic Racing (Best Appearing Car), Lein & Hunter Imhoff (First Year Driver Awards) and Imhoff-Davis Racing (Best Dressed Crew).
On the strength of seven feature wins, Chad Bogar easily outdistanced Scott Crawford and Jason Tetrault to win the his second straight Badger 600 Micro Series Championship. The 2013 season schedule for both series will be released in early December.