1/15/2017
Five Flags Speedway
2016 Awards Banquet Recap
The winners in the local divisions pictured here are anxiously awaiting the start of the 2017 racing season, after capping off their 2016 season with first place trophies and cash. Bomber champ B J Leytham announced he is moving up to the Pro Trucks. The division is being changed to Pure Stocks, leaving the championship open for new challengers.
Jason Johnson is looking forward to the Super Stock division morphing into the Outlaw Stocks.
Casey Roderick plans to expand his appearances in the Southeast in both the Pro and Super Late divisions. Taylor Jorgensen is
planning to be back in her truck this year and Steve Buttrick (in the green shirt) will be back behind the wheel in the Sportsmen.
The Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds John Frenkle Jr. Building provided the setting for Saturday Nights Five Flags Speedway Awards Dinner, and well over 200 people filed into the Banquet Hall to recognize the 2016 Champions, among others. Track announcer Robbie Harvey emceed the event, where each Divisions top 5 received awards. After a brief review of the 2016 season and an overview of what can be expected in 2017, track GM Tim Bryant announced something new to the program for 2016, the Michels & Booth Sportsmanship Award, which was presented to Sportsman driver Steve Buttrick. This newly established Award will be voted on by the drivers beginning in 2017, with the winner being announced at the 50th Annual Snowball Derby.
B.J Leytham returned for yet another Bomber Division Championship, after a hotly contested season with Robert Balkum. The two drivers actually tied in points after the final race, with the tie breaker favoring Leytham for having the most wins. B.J. was, as always, gracious in his acceptance speech, and much to the delight of his fellow competitors, announced his plans to move to the Pro Truck Division in 2017.
Buttrick returned to the stage to receive his Sportsman Division Championship Award, but it was second place finisher Jim Pokrandt who gave the speech of the night, recognizing not only his team and sponsors, but praising Buttrick for being the true Sportsman.
Jason Johnson was on hand to be recognized for his first ever Five Flags Championship in the Super Stock Division. The former Mobile Speedway Track Champion made the trek from Mississippi for each SS event, and clinched the title on the final night of the season over defending Champion Todd Jones.
A break in the Driver presentations allowed Bryant to present the Rex E. Brooks Iron Man Award, given annually to the track employee who has exemplified tenacity and dedication to the Five Flags Speedway racing program. This year’s Award went to longtime Pace Car Driver Brian Abston.
As expected, the loudest crowd reaction of the night came with recognizing Taylor Jorgenson as the 2016 Pro Truck Division Champion. This gracious young lady became an instant crowd favorite by winning the opening race in 2016. With one DNF, Taylor had to take it to the wire to clinch the title on the final night of the season by a narrow margin over Howard Langham.
Bret Holmes clinched the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Championship for 2016, but was unable to attend the Banquet due to a scheduled ARCA test in Daytona. Bret was represented by team member Jason Kratz, who gave a very gracious speech on behalf of the entire Holmes Racing organization.
For the second straight year, Casey Roderick was on hand to be recognized for the Blizzard Series Championship. With a very busy racing schedule between Super Late Model and Pro Late Model racing, Roderick has become known as the guy to beat wherever he goes, and certainly had his groove on at Five Flags Speedway in 2016.
As a special treat, the Five Flags contingent was able to help celebrate the recognition of Minnesota driver Cole Anderson as the 2016 Southern Super Series VDL Fuel Systems Rookie of the Year. Cole won two SSS events in 2016 driving for Anthony Campi Racing. Southern Super Series presented by Sunoco Champion Donnie Wilson was unable to attend, and will be recognized prior to the running of The Rattler 250, the 2017 Series opener at South Alabama Speedway on March 19th.
Five Flags Speedway would like to Thank all the drivers, team members and their families for their participation, both past and future. Additionally, Thanks goes out to all the track Sponsors who help make it all possible, and of course to the most dedicated staff of officials that can be found at any racetrack. 2017 look to be a promising year, and it all begins on opening day, Sunday, March 5th. Let’s
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