12/7/2024
Ransomville Speedway
Champions Honored at Ransomville Speedway Awards Banquet
RANSOMVILLE, NY (December 7, 2024) Ransomville Speedway honored their 2024 track champions and top point getters at the annual Awards Banquet Saturday night. Track announcers Steven Petty and Jason Trainer were the Masters of Ceremonies. The banquet was catered by Donna Eick and World Wide Music Productions had the music going all night long.
Cody McPherson was named the speedway’s Driver of the Year. His six visits to victory lane in 11 races propelled him to his second Stirling Lubricants DIRTcar Sportsman track championship. His season would cap off with his third Mr. DIRT Sportsman title. The Owner of the Year Award went to Andrew Sittler. Sittler owns the potent 37s 358 Modified that is campaigned by Gary Lindberg. The Pat Spina Mechanic of the Year went to Kirk Tuttle, while Mat Williamson was the recipient of the Trevor Wilkins Hard Charger Award. The Ray MacIver Sportsmanship Award was presented to Sherwood Racing (Brandon and Curt) for assisting fellow racer Mike Welch in getting his car fixed and repaired in time to race in the championship event, that Welch would eventually win. The Performance Award went to Ryan Susice for his pair of emotional return trips to Victory Lane in 2024. New this season was the Award of Excellence, and the first recipient of this award was Justin Schwab for his efforts in making the Ransomville Speedway social media pages more visible to fans from around the world. Dylan Wolfe was the recipient of the Above and Beyond Award. Dylan was always at the track whenever needed and did a lot of the behind the scenes work to make sure that the track and property were ready to welcome drivers and fans to the facility. The speedway’s Key Player Award went to April Matson for her years of dedicated service. The speedway had a special recognition of Chad Brachmann’s 31-year racing career at Ransomville Speedway. The Hard Luck award went to Greg Martin.
Nelson Mason and Mike Kramarz were named Rookies of the Year in the 358 Modifieds and Sportsman respectively. Noah Walker, Jake Bansmer, Butch Zimmerman, and Jeffrey Wynes were named Most Improved Drivers. Best appearing cars went to Chad Brachmann, Brett Senek, Mike Welch and Joey Zimmerman, Brooklyn Chaffee, and Ian Paul.
Mat Williamson from St. Catharines, Ontario earned his fourth consecutive Krown Undercoating Modified track championship. Williamson became the first driver in the Modified division to earn four consecutive track titles. Williamson had four wins on the season, and defended home turf, in winning his second Ron Martin Memorial Summer Nationals in three years. Gary Lindberg finished second in points, just two points behind his brother-in-law. Lindberg had a divisional-high five wins. Ryan Susice finished third in points with his two wins carrying the former track champion back to the championship podium. Chad Brachmann, Noah Walker, Erick Rudolph, Phil Vigneri III, Jesse Cotriss, Nelson Mason, and Kyle Richner completed the top ten in points.
Cody McPherson from St. Catharines, Ontario earned his second Stirling Lubricants DIRTcar Sportsman championship, nine years after winning his first. He had a division-high six wins along with no finishes outside the top five at the Big R in 2024. Cam Tuttle was second in points, with one win and nine top five finishes. Dave Conant was third in points. Conant made a return trip to victory lane in 2024. Brett Senek, Derek Wagner, Jim Harbison, Dave DiPietro, Jake Bansmer, Justin McKay, and Kevin Wills were the top ten-point getters.
Mike Welch from Stanley, NY won his first KiPo Chevrolet Street Stock points title. It was the veteran’s first full season racing weekly at the Big R. Welch won twice and had eight top five finishes. Brandon Sherwood was four points behind Welch in the final points tally. Sherwood visited victory lane three times in 2024. Veteran Butch Zimmerman claimed the final spot on the championship podium. John Zimmerman, Ron Richter, Phil Schepis, Joey Zimmerman, Bobby Lippa Jr, Mike Kelly, and Mick Kulak were the top ten in divisional points.
“Mr. Peanut” Ryan Plante from Ransomville, NY won his second straight Sunflowers of Sanborn Mini Stock title. With two victories and nine top five finishes, Plante won his fourth overall divisional title. Cole Susice was second in points, with three wins and seven top five runs in 2024. Second generation driver Matt Hornquist was third in points. Hornquist picked up one win and had six top five finishes this season. Jeffrey Wynes, Ian Paul, Mike Becker, Ben Hornquist, Brian Melcher, Christian Soliday, and Curt Rung completed the top ten.
Nigel Pendykoski from Chippawa, Ontario earned the Kevin’s Carpet Cleaning Novice Sportsman title. He had a track-leading eight wins for this multi-generational driver and had 11 top five finishes in route to the divisional title. Tyler Foster was second in points, setting goals to find victory lane and Foster accomplished that by winning twice. Kyle Teeter finished third in points in his second full season running Novice. Cameron Rowlands, Jocelyn Just, Brooklyn Chaffee, Jacalyn Nettleton, and Johnny Zimmerman were the top eight in points.
Each track champion’s significant other received a special gift courtesy of Firth Jewelers. The speedway also showed their appreciation to the staff, 2024 Miss Ransomville Victoria Smith, Ashley and Jules (50/50), Mariann, April and Lynda in the office as well as the track prep crew of Dylan, Al, Howard, and Pat for their hard work throughout the season.
Race Director John Nelson announced to the crowd in attendance that he was stepping back after serving the speedway for several years. Nelson will be spending time with his beloved wife Paula and his future grandchild. General Manager Tana Robinson spoke to the crowd, and speedway ownership and also thanked all those in attendance for their continued support of Ransomville Speedway.
For more information, follow us on social media and check the website at www.ransomvillespeedway.com
Article Credit: Steven Petty
Submitted By: Steven Petty
