By Bob Guess
The 2015 STARS D’Arcy GMC season is now history and the Fifth Annual Awards Banquet was held at Chapin’s East in Minooka, IL on Saturday, November 14, 2015 before a crowd of over 110 celebrants.
Brad Greenup, who clinched his championship in the National Midget Division with his fifth win of the season in the season ending Alex Pruett Memorial, celebrated with his family and friends as he accepted his championship ring, courtesy of David Nelson Jewelry and Championship award. He thanked his dad for his support all year and his sponsors as well. The five feature wins tied him with Kyle Hamilton for most feature wins in a Stars season and vaulted him from twelfth position into a tie for third place among career feature wins with Hamilton. Tyler Baran and Ryan Probst rounded out the top three in the National Midget division and were presented plaques signifying their accomplishment.
The STARS IRS division was captured by Patrick Bruns with Max Pozsgai garnering second . Glen Myers, assistant race director of STARS, attended the Illini Racing Series banquet that was held the same night as the STARS banquet and presented the awards at the IRS’s banquet..
The CSR Minicup division champion was Jamie Domski, who barely beat out second place Amanda Bohn on the last race of the season with Maggie Struthers taking third place. Maggie Struthers, also, won the coveted STARS Most Improved Driver award for 2015.
The STARS Classic Modified division was captured by Darren Ihrke who dominated the division from the start of the season to the finish of the season and his dad Scott Ihrke finished second with Ed Ensor third. Ed Ensor took home the STARS Sportsman of the Year award as well.
The Midwest Legacy’s division championship was earned by Jordan Caskey over second place driver Nathan Bertino and third place Tyler Brown. The STAR’s Best Appearing Car & Crew Award was captured by the Bertino clan.
The STARS Rookie of the Year Award presented by Bell Helmet was given to Erica Ensor, who , also finished third in the IRS standings.
Bobby Richards and Dee Tattersall presented the Bob Tattersall Hard Charger award to National Midget division driver Billy Hulbert.
Patrick Wilda received the STARS Shining STAR award for his unselfish dedication and hard work in the position of chief Pit Steward throughout the whole season.
Finally, the award and the recipient of the STARS Hard Luck award, received the biggest applause of the evening as everyone welcomed Phil Rider back from his injuries sustained on August 22, 2015. Phil was struck by a minicup race car and was seriously injured with leg and back injuries that caused Phil being put in a body cast for almost three months. The body cast was removed on November 5, 2015 and Phil was allowed some sense of normalcy and was able to attend the STARS banquet. The STARS Hard Luck Award will be named the Phil Rider Hard Luck Award to future recipients.
Everyone had a good time and are looking forward to 2016.