By kyohnson 
BATAVIA, NY – The first season of a new era at Genesee Speedway concluded with a resounding flourish, much like the entire remarkable 2016. A spectacular awards banquet was held, attracting over 250 attendees at the Quality Inn. More than 60 competitors were part of this joyous occasion, and over $15,000 in cash was distributed from the year-end point fund. Additionally, several highly distinctive awards were presented.
Seven exceptional drivers emerged as track champions. Kyle Inman in the Sportsman category and Dave DuBois in the 360 Late Model category were both proclaimed Drivers of the Year. Beamer Guzzardi claimed the title of the inaugural Crate Late Model Champion at the speedway, while Butch Zimmerman achieved his first career track championship in the street stocks. Brad Shepard became the mini stock champion, and Cole Hicks seized the bandit crown. Matt Smith was named the micro sprint mini series champion.
At the conclusion of the awards banquet, a special presentation was made to new speedway promoter Jim Johnson as the recipient of the inaugural Mike Logsdon Dedication to Motorsports. This award came as a delightful surprise for both the recipient and in honor of the namesake.
The evening was filled with a variety of other special awards and also provided a sneak peek into the 2017 season, featuring 21 race dates, including a special visit to Batavia by the ULMS Late Model Series in July.
Genesee Speedway 2016 Awards Banquet (Special Awards In Parentheses)
MHL Performance
Crate Late Model Class
1
94
Beamer Guzzardi (Best Appearing Car, Fan Favorite)
2
O12
Dave DuBois
3
1
T.J. Downs (Most-Improved)
4
39J
Jimmy Johnson (Rookie of the Year)
5
12
Nick Snayczuk (Rookie of the Year)
6
85
Jon Rivers
7
13
J.J. Mazur
8
24B
Brad Mesler
9
17x
Andy Michael
10
65
Bill Holmes
Zeliff Farms
Sportsman Class
1
20k
Kyle Inman (Driver of the Year)
2
7B
Brian Bellinger (Best Appearing Car)
3
O4
Greg Mrzywka
4
27z
Ray Bliss
5
94J
Sarah Johnson (Fan Favorite)
6
27JR
Ray Bliss Jr
7
v17
John Venuto
8
41
Tony Pangrazio
9
45
T.J. Newton (Perseverance)
10
14
Shane O’Grady
Damian Long (Most-Improved)
Jason Rumsey (Rookie of the Year)
Matt Steffenhagen (Sportsmanship)
City Slicker’s Bar/Grill
360 Late Model Class
1
O12
Dave DuBois (Driver of the Year)
2
28
Tommy Kemp (Best Appearing Car, Fan Favorite)
3
O
John Zimmmeran
4
29
Brian Kotarski
5
78
Little Carl Shetler
6
OO1
Rich Hale
7
12B
Tommy Butler
8
58
Carl Shetler
9
93B
Tom Baker (Most-Improved)
10
83
DJ Krug
Yasses Trucking
Street Stock Class
1
O
Butch Zimmerman
2
34
Byron Dewitt (Best Appearing Car, Fan Favorite)
3
9
Mike Jackson (Sportsmanship)
4
2Q
Jesse Qutermous (Most-Improved)
5
2
Bob Babbitt
6
2z
Kenny Begnouche (Perseverance)
7
11x
Tommy Cooper (Rookie of the Year)
8
A1
Ryan Allen
9
O9
Tiffany Rumsey
10
7
Doug Brown
Rivers Performance
Mini Stock Class
1
1p
Brad Shepard
2
1
Dante Mancuso (Rookie of the Year)
3
17D
Deanna Shepard (Most-Improved, Fan Favorite)
4
21B
Billy DuBois (Best Appearing Car)
5
24
Lee Hicks
6
10
James Gayton
7
O12
Lauren DuBois
8
46
Chris DiLaura
9
69
Bill Weller Jr
10
12
Tom Urban
DML Driveway Sealing
Bandit Class
1
24
Cole Hicks
2
56
Eddie Kowalczyk
3
34J
Jessica Traxler (Fan Favorite)
4
OO4
Olivia Coniber (Best Appearing Car)
5
6
Marcus Jackson
6
23
Jessica Schleede (Most-Improved)
7
12y
Adam Jackson
Micro Sprint Mini Series Champion: Matt Smith