From John Lemon
Tulsa Oklahoma (November 17, 2011) – The Oil Capital Racing Series celebrated their 2011 racing season with an all time record points fund payout supplied by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. of Dayton, Ohio. The fund of nearly $24,000 was handed out during an awards luncheon held this Saturday afternoon. The ceremony honored Tulsa Oklahoma’s Sean McClelland as the 2011 series champion while several other drivers were awarded their share of the record payout for their successes during the run for the championship. Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Driver recipients were also honored. The awards portion of the luncheon also included a look back into the history of the “Champ Sprint” division and its status in today’s market place.
Three Time Champion: Sean McClelland
By conquering the 2011 OCRS championship in a seasonal tour that consisted of nineteen events at a total of eight racetracks in Oklahoma and Kansas, McClelland edged out Moore Oklahoma’s Whit “The Gasman” Gastineau to claim his third OCRS championship. The other two titles came in 2002 and 2003, which were the initial two seasons for the organization started by Danny and Tina Smith.
For his achievement, McClelland received $5,000 as the lion’s share of the point fund and he also received the “Harold Leep Championship Trophy” as part of his victory hardware. David Grace of Carter/Maxwell in Bethany Oklahoma was on hand to make the presentation to the champion. McClelland won the championship in his own XXX chassis sponsored by Lawton Auto Parts, Maxwell Oil, Finishline and XXX Chassis.
Partnered with his engine supplier Cliff Anderson and with crew chief Shane Vandervliet as McClelland’s set up man, the team went on to win a series leading eight main events and sixteen top tens. The third OCRS title for McClelland ties him with Mike Goodman (2004-’05-’07) and Jamie Passmore (2008-2010).
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Sean McClelland receives his awards from David Grace……….Phil Pace Photo
Steve Gastineau received the runner-up award for his son Whit. The team from Oklahoma City took home $4,000 for their accomplishments. Matt Sherrell of Owasso Oklahoma collected $3,000 for third place. Rafe Essary of Stillwell Oklahoma pocketed $2,000 for fourth while Rose Oklahoma’s Jamie Passmore earned $1,000 for fifth. Passmore’s crew chief Greg Boney was in attendance to receive Passmore’s prize.
Other point fund honorees include:
Andrew Deal (6th place – Matt Sherrell accepting)
Tim Kent (7th place)
Josh Toho (8th place)
Shayla Waddell (9th place)
Kyle Clark (10th place)
Johnny “Hotrod” Kent: (11th place)
Danny Smith (12th place)
Fred Mattox (13th place – Sara Kent accepting)
Beau Gastineau (16th place – Steve Gastineau accepting)
Casey Willis (18th place – OCRS accepting)
Toho was honored as the Brodix Cylinder Heads “Rookie of the Year”
Deal was honored as the D&P Escort “Most Improved Driver”
OCRS paid thanks to their multiple sponsors over the course of the season and those sponsors who contributed to the awards ceremony. These sponsors include:
GOODYEAR TIRE AND RUBBER CO: (Akron Ohio)
JUSTIN FANTOZZI: “Marketing Manager” of Global Race Tires
LEE ELDER: Goodyear Public Relations
Carter/Maxwell (Bethany OK)
DAVID GRACE: Goodyear Engineer
SAME DAY AUTO REPAIR (SAPULPA OK)
Danny / Tina Smith: Proprietors
GRAND PRIX AUTO PARTS (TULSA OK)
Jon Brook: Proprietor
WESMAR RACING ENGINES (BIXBY OK)
Bob / Kelly Wesphal: Proprietors
BRODIX CYLINDER HEADS: (MENA AR)
GREG BROTHERTON: Proprietor
SHOENFELD HEADERS: (VAN BUREN AR)
DON SCHOENFELD: Proprietor
CAR & FLEET PARTS: (TULSA OK)
MIKE / JUDY STEWART: Proprietors
LIGHTNING WINGS: (TULSA OK)
JIM / CINDY BAILEY: Proprietors
MAXWELL OIL: (TULSA OK)
BOYD MAXWELL: Proprietor
AMERIFLEX HOSE AND ACCESSORIES (TULSA OK)
CORVAN ROBISON: Proprietor
KEIZER ALUMINUM WHEELS (ORANGE CITY IOWA)
WADE HUISMAN: GENERAL MGR
D&P ESCORT (TULSA OK)
DON / PAT YOUNG: Proprietors
To view photo’s from the 2011 awards luncheon, view the preliminary 2012 OCRS schedule and view additional information on the OCRS series, visit the web site at: http://www.ocrsracing.com