A season in review.

Well,
The rain cancelled Saturday night's action and the decision was made to run Sunday. Not too sure why. A rain out is a rain out and we never made up the other two we had this season.
Anyway, I may be a little pissy because I could not make it back to call the action on what was an absolutely full card of racing.
Thanks to Bobby Z who took over the mic for me. Not sure how that went over but, I'm sure I'll get all the details this weekend.
I am hoping to post a race report but, wanted to wish our track champions a hearty congratulations and thank all the drivers for your commitment to not only Varney Motor Speedway but to grassroots Stock Car Racing. If it weren't for you, Saturday nights would be hollow.

2010 Stock 4 Champion - #51 Clark Hartman
Clark, nice job backing up last year's title and making it three straight! The feature race wins may not have been as plentiful as they were in the past but, you were up front every night. Tim Tolton was on fire from midway through the season to the end as was Dennis Cremasco. If it weren't for early season woes, someone else's name might be on that championship trophy. Stock 4 continues to enjoy a good car count and next year looks like it will be a very competitve season for the division once again.

Street Stock - #93 Bill Cole
Bill, you showed up every night and got out front. I think you only had trouble with the car once or twice but, always made it back. More importantly, you stayed out of the action off the track and left it all on the Speedway. The most feature wins this year in the Street Stocks and hardly ever finishing outside of the top three. That's what got you back on top. Congratualtions.

Super Street Stock - #85 Matt Clarke
Matt, some will say that there should be an asterix beside this one due to the inconsistentcy with car counts in this division this year but, the fact remains, you showed up every single night when many of the others did not. Your loyalty to run Varney is much appreciated by staff and fans and, with your one feature race win this season, I would like to congratulate you on your deserved championship. It was not long ago that the Super Street Stock division was the highlight of the night. Let's hope we can get it back there.

Late Model - #81 Chris Van Dusen
Nice season Chris! You had an outstanding blend of consistent top finishes along with several feature wins. You matured as a driver all season long and I saw that a few weeks ago when you made that dive to the inside coming off of turn four to take the lead in the feature. Some may say Kamikaze but, I think you knew exactly where you were on that track, who was around you, how much room you had and, more importantly, you knew they trusted and respected you enough to let you make that move without wrecking you. One of the best racing moves i've ever seen come off of turn four at Varney. Almost unbeatable when you got out front, your sophmore season in a Late Model was one of the top stories at Varney this year. Congratulations on your championship.

All Pro Modified - #34 Terry Pardy
Terry, what can I say...consistency paid off. You stayed upfront all year long, kept the car in one piece and even added a feature win on the season. Everyone knows how hard it is to take down the 8 car but, you may have exposed the chink in the armour as the Modifeids  enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent years. That chink is consistency. Gary may have won the most but, he broke more than you did too. Congratulations Terry.

Trains - Markdale Salvage Crushers
Bill and gang...nice job! You guys put on an awesome show every night and make no mistake about it, when the Trains aren't running, you can feel it in the grandstands. The Trains are definately a fan favourite whether you are a regular at Varney or a first-timer. This year, the racing was close, exciting and most of all thrilling to watch. I'm sure the fans are looking forward to next year.

Not to be overshadowed, don't forget that the track itself went through a major transfomation last year in the off-season. The new configuration was almost an afterthought three weeks into the year. We never really thanked or acknowledged the work that the McLellans do; and continue to do; at Varney Motor Speedway. I do not know of two more down-to-earth people than Ken and Joan McLellan. They quietly go about their business doing what; at the end of the day; is best for the fans and best for the drivers. You can complain about anything if you really wanted to but, seriously, what can you complain about two people that just want happy race fans and happy drivers and continue to go out of their way to make sure that happens. Thanks Ken and Joan for keeping Varney real!

Fundraising at the track never ceases to amaze me. Through the 50/50 draws, Women On Wheels raised thousands of dollars that are being channelled back into the community including the over $7000.00 raised for Breast Cancer Research. Hillbilly Racing raised $3000.00 for Special Olympics and on one special night, Varney fans dug extra deep raisng over $1000.00 for a local boy battling cancer.

Chris Zizek brought his colleagues from the Canadian Armed Forces all the way from CFB Borden for another 'Military Appreciation Night' at Varney and his father; Bobby Z; wasn't even racing at our track this year! Bobby did run a few times but still...Chris could have taken the whole deal to another track but, he didn't. He came to Varney. He would have to answer why but, i suspect it has to do with how well they are treated by the fans, the drivers and the staff when they are here. And, not just how well they are treated by these people but, how well appreciated and respected they are for their dedication to this country. Rumour has it, Joan came all the way up from Fergus to BBQ for them when they arrived Friday night. She could have sent pizza from Mt. Forest or had them fend for themselves but, no. She BBQ'd.

The Ontario Pro Challenge was on our schedule twice this year although the first date was rained out. The second went off without a hitch and, I can tell you first hand, of all the tracks the Pro Challenge cars run on every summer, they will tell you that NO ONE treats them better than Varney Motor Speedway. From the fans to staff to fellow drivers, the Pro Challenge series feel like the red carpet is rolled out for them and it's nothing more than Varney just being Varney. If other touring divisions could only wash their hands of how they were treated in the past and take another chance on this little 1/4 mile paved oval, they would be in for a surprise and the fans would make it well worth their while for coming back. Are you listening Canadian Vintage Modifeids?!

Personally, I thought this year at Varney Motor Speedway was as good as anyone could have expected. The economy most certainly took it's toll on racers and fans alike but, at the end of the day, there was still a competitive product on the track. Sure, our car counts are down but, who's aren't. Varney and it's fans continue to reap the benefits of a core group of racers who are dedicated to the track and, whether they are racing four other cars or fourteen other cars, put the same effort forth making sure the fans got what they paid for.

Once again, I was proud to be part of the excitment at Varney this year. For me, announcing every race is a highlight that I look forward to each and every week. A big thanks to my wife and kids who tolerate me taking away Saturday nights knowing that they are allowing me to do something that I truly love. I hope I am back to rock the mic next year!

As our final week of racing approaches; the 2010 Fall Classic; I would love to see fans and drivers add to this thread with their highlights and memories of 2010. Thank your sponsors, your favorite driver or maybe staff. While we're at it, you can even get 2011 started early by calling out your rivals and challenging them on the track next year!

At least a hundred of you read my posts every week so, lets hear from some of you. Let's show some of these other tracks on here that Varney does in fact have a pulse.