Hey folks, it’s great to have something to write about. From what I heard over this weekend there are plenty of people who have been in withdrawal because I hadn’t written an article in a while. I did write a little story a couple of weeks ago about the Nextel Cup Banquet that can be found on the Stock Car City site. I should have a few articles to submit over the course of the next couple of months. Thanks for all of your emails. Grab a lunchbox and a flashlight; this will be a long article.

Shopgirl flew up on Thursday. Although she now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she originally hailed from Columbus, Ohio. One of the things she really misses from the buckeye state is Slyders. We made a stop on 25A along the way to the boat so she could get her crave on.

As we traveled eastbound after lunch, the weather began to worsen. Flakes had begun to precipitate just as we got to the car at the airport. By the time we got out to Southold Town, we were driving through a squall. I thought my driving was relatively cautious. Vicki kept trying to hit the passenger side brake pedal repeatedly, despite the fact that there isn’t one there.

The trip from the boat is normally a relatively short one. However the inclement weather led to some delays. The roads weren’t that bad. It just boils down to a few people who shouldn’t be allowed behind the wheel of an automobile. I followed behind someone who was driving so slowly that I thought they would helplessly slide off of a ramp sideways. Normally this trek would take a few minutes, it took nearly an hour.

Along the way, Shopgirl put the vanity mirror to use. Kiss marks the turf. She planted a fat kiss on the glass to let anyone else who might use it who’s the boss.

I escorted Vicki down to the Spa floor where she had made an appointment to get her nails done after we checked in. On the way back I had a brief encounter with a couple whose amorous desires for each other seemed to blind them to the fact that they were being watched by the staff and in the company of several other hotel patrons. There’s some TV-MA on the security cameras boys.

Back at the room I played with my computer. In the background the local news played over the television. Fear, fear, fear!!! “It’s snowing and everyone is going to…” There’s ice everywhere and…”

Television news tactics like these will draw weak people to the slaughter of their corporate masters. [Thanks to George Carlin] Folks with common sense, like most of the people who are reading this, will take their time or travel later when confronted with a winter storm. This is southern Connecticut; nearly everyone is less than a five minute walk from someplace with heat.

We were entertained most of the evening by falling ice. Huge sheets of ice had formed on the sides of the building. They fell with great regularity and made quite a racket. Now we know why all of the walkways at the Mohegan Sun are covered.

Friday morning we went down for breakfast at one of the buffets. It’s a good deal and they have great food. One comment worth mentioning from a member of group of particularly skinny people who walked into the buffet, “I’ve never seen a place like this!” No kidding?

I went to my ATM. That’s what I call a particular bank of dollar slots that has paid off quite well for me. I was up and down and had a lot of fun.

Shopgirl got discouraged because her machine wasn’t paying off. She changed to a penny machine that hit big. I guess she had put twenty dollars in the machine and on her second pull it hit for six thousand credits. That’s sixty dollars. The machine clanged for what seemed like half an hour. How long does it take to ring 6000 times? Can you hear that? It’s pennies from heaven.

Hey folks, we all clean up pretty nicely. Big guys look nicer in a suit than a t-shirt, despite the feeling of self-consciousness and distain of such attire by most of our group. These are the people that are in those pictures on the screen?

The Walt’s Cup quote of the week is presented by Sign-A-Rama in Riverhead. It goes to Howie Hodge. He asked me, “Where are the wristbands?” The thought of juxtaposing cheesy plastic or tyvek wristbands with formalwear by Oleg Cassini nearly caused me to sneeze a carbonated beverage through my nose.

One of the guys over at that sign shop gave me some black vinyl. I fashioned it into a tuxedo for the cup. I poured my own and gave away my drink tickets.

Once we got to our table we discovered we were last. Hooray! Vicki and I did a dance in order to celebrate that we earned the honor to be seated at the final table. Now, where are my poker chips?

We were joined by photographer, Steve Proteau, Rich Ibsen from Speed51 and long-time media member, Lou Modestino. Steve and Rich took off to snap pictures and Vicki and I relished the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the show without bumping elbows with anyone.

Jim & Denise DuPont and Dave & Hazel Meredith, who were seated at a table nearby, gave us plenty to discuss. We also seemed to get quite a bit of passing traffic as folks paths to the bar invariably took them near us. Paul Schaefer from NASCAR told me that I looked less intimidating all dressed up.

Soon the festivities were underway. Mike Joy was our emcee once again and as always it is great to have one of our own; home to do the honors. He introduced Phil Kurze who was the first of many to remember John Blewett, III.

When the drivers who finished from twentieth to eleventh place in the point standings were recognized, Wade Cole received one of the warmest rounds of applause of the evening. It was well deserved and a long time coming.

Michael Boehler presented the Len Boehler Car Owner of the year award to Eric Sanderson. It is very possibly the highest honor that can bestowed on a car owner. Sanderson’s benevolence and positive influence earned him the NASCAR Sportsmanship Award one year ago.

Bill Brice, Sr. and Lisa Brice Erm presented the Smiley Waterman and Donna Parks Awards on behalf of the Modified Auxiliary. The winners were Joe and Linda Brady. It was great to see them up on stage.

The Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award went to Ted Christopher. What was that about? Ted thanked Ed Cox? Mike Stefanik earned the POWERade Power Move of the Race Award.

A video was shown that NASCAR produced in memory of the man who was the architect of so much of NASCAR’s success. Thanks to Mike Joy for pointing out that William Clifton France, or as we knew him, Bill France, Jr. was responsible for permitting the Pinto revolution to move forth. Most of us had already seen this presentation as a part of the Nextel Cup awards broadcast. I feel quite confident that a thirty second clip of JBIII’s exploits would have been a great gesture.

In his address to the banquet crowd, George Silbermann, NASCAR’s Managing Director of Racing Operations, called our Tour the “Pinnacle of Modified Racing” not only in this region, not just in this country but the world. He continued, “Even though the roots are currently planted in the past, the direction for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is firmly focused on the future. A large part of that focus is anchored by our series sponsor Whelen Engineering…We tried some new things in 2007 and will continue to explore opportunities and options in the future.”

With that the 2008 WMT schedule was posted on the screen. It is a sixteen race schedule that adds dates at Spencer and Chemung. I include most of the rest of George Silbermann’s speech for our reader’s consumption.

Silbermann said, “On the competition side, many of you are aware of the recent tests we conducted with NASCAR’s spec engine fitted out into a Modified car. This is essentially the same [engine] that was available as an option in our Grand National [Division] [Busch East] that proved very reliable, competitive and cost effective. For 2008, that engine will be eligible as an option [on the Tour] for anyone who is looking for a cost effective alternative to the built [engines]. But don’t worry; built [engines] will continue to be eligible.”

“On the promotional front, 2008 will be the sixtieth year of NASCAR Modified racing. And we intend to capitalize on that by launching a special season-long celebration of the rich heritage of this form of the sport. We will be working with the media, with track PR people and actually looking to many of you in the room to help support this initiative.”

“But I saved the biggest news for last. NASCAR has been in the Modified business, well, since the inception of NASCAR and intends to be for some time to come. We’re very fortunate to have a partner who not only shares our sentiments about the importance of this form of racing but also the future vision for this form of the sport. Of course that is Whelen Engineering. I’m pleased to share some great news with you here tonight. Whelen has extended their sponsorship with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the Whelen Southern Modified Tour through the year two thousand sixteen (2016).”

In an effort to kick off the 2008 NASCAR, 60 years of racing to which Mr. Silbermann had alluded, NASCAR intended to recognize all of the living past champions of the Whelen Modified Tour at the 2007 awards ceremony. Silbermann, Phil Kurze from Whelen and 2007 WMT champ Donny Lia welcomed those who chose to attend on stage.

Mike Joy said, “I am excited. I have never been to a banquet where this has been done. I think this is so wonderful. Of the eighteen living champions of the Modified Tour, seventeen accepted invitations to come here tonight. Among those, Red Farmer [’56 champion] sends his regrets. Red was off racing. Imagine that? He was making an appearance for his sponsor this weekend to pay the bills.”

Joy added, “Also, our oldest living champion, 81 year-old Frankie Schneider who raced everything on wheels from midgets to sprint cars, won in NASCAR Grand National, now Nextel Cup in 1958, he was the champion in 1952 and due to the storms he was unable to take his plane and make his connection in Allentown. He sends his regrets and he’d love to be here to celebrate with you this evening.”

Mike then introduced 1954 champion, Jack Choquette, 1964 & ’65, champion Bobby Allison, 1966 champion, Ernie Gahan and 1967-69 champion Carl Bergman or as we know him “Bugsy Stevens” who promptly made a play on the trophy girl. Then Joy introduced, six time champion, now Competition Administrator for NASCAR, Jerry Cook, 1988 champion, Mike McLaughlin, seven time Modified Champion, Mike Stefanik, 1990 champ, Jamie “The Jet” Tomaino, 1992 champion, Jeff Fuller, 1993 champion, Rick Fuller and 1994 champion, Wayne Anderson. And then introduced five-time champion, Tony Hirschman, Jr., 2000 champion, Jerry Marquis and the youngest champion in Tour history, 2003 Whelen Modified Tour champion, Todd Szegedy.

It was an incredible sight. Many of Modified racing’s living legends together on stage, some of whom finally recognized for their successes by today’s Tour community. While Jason Christley organized the line of champions for the pictures Mike Joy read off the list of the other champions.

They were: 1948 Red Byron, 1949 Fonty Flock, 1950 Charles Dyer, 1951 Wally Campbell, 1953 Joe Weatherley, 1955 Bill Widenhouse, 1957 Ken Marriott, 1958 Budd Olson, 1959 Glenn Guthrie, 1960 & 61 Johnny Roberts, 1962 & 63 Eddie Crouse, 1970 Fred DeSarro and nine-time champion Richie Evans.

There was one champion who was missing. His absence and the fact that his name was not even mentioned struck of thunderous silence. Jimmy Spencer, who was the first driver to move the title out of Rome, NY, where it had taken residence for fifteen consecutive years, was a no-show. I wonder how many NASCAR broadcasts he plans on doing in 2008.

As the champions departed the stage, Mike Joy brought Bobby Allison to the podium. He asked Bobby to explain what it was like to go Modified racing back then. Allison gave a short dissertation of what folks would do to compete. It was a great gesture and all in attendance hung on every word Bobby said.

The NASCAR Dedication Award was presented to the Boehler Family. In accepting the award, Michael Boehler recognized Ruby for conducting a fundraiser that helped keep the Ole Blue #3 in business. Michael said, “It’s all about family and dedication”.

Joe Larsen presented the NASCAR Sportsmanship Award to Bob Bruneau. The NASCAR Driver Achievement Award went to Ronnie Silk. John Holland, from New England Race Fuels presented the Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year Award to Richard Savary.

When the drivers who finished between 4th and 10th were brought to the stage the most spectacular move of the night occurred. After accepting his 8th place trophy, Jimmy Blewett snuck up behind Mike Joy. Duck, duck, GOOSE!!! This obviously startled the emcee. Joy didn’t turn his back on anyone else for the remainder of the evening. Jimmy later told me that he “gave him the “rooster”.”

That was far from the last funny thing that happened during the event. Many of the quotes and occurrences are not repeatable in this forum as there are children watching. This included verbal spars and inside jokes from the podium that received thunderous responses. Just a tip from your Uncle Walt, don’t miss next year’s banquet.

Phil Kurze then presented the Whelen Modified Top-10 drivers with a special award. NASCAR and Whelen gave these drivers a gear bag with the logo embroidered on the top that says “Tour Top 10”. Their names were also embroidered on the front.

Lord, please forgive me for this. When I saw all of those guys on stage with their bags, all I could think of was the movie “8 Heads in a Duffel Bag”. Although, it only looked like there would be room for six in each.

Perhaps the person who impressed me the most at the banquet was the driver who was honored for finishing third in the Whelen Modified Tour standings, Matt Hirschman. He was polished, poised and confident. His speech was among the shortest of any given but was one of the most heartfelt, well-constructed, humorous and complete.

Somebody has been polishing that diamond. Could it be his second father, Mike Stefanik? I’m sorry that was one of young Hirschman’s jokes. But Matt finished with a quote in memory of John Blewett, III, from a Kenny Chesney song; “Take every breath God gives you for what it’s worth”…and “don’t blink”.

Todd Szegedy spoke after he was presented with the second place trophy. He said he hadn’t prepared anything but he pulled it off really well. Subsequently, George Silbermann returned to the stage to present the Most Popular Driver Award.

George said, “Each year this is one of the most anticipated moments of the evening…It is my honor to present the Most Popular Driver of the Whelen Modified Tour in 2007 to someone who will have to come up without prepared remarks, Todd Szegedy.”

The first of championship presentations was the champion Crew Chief Award. NASCAR’s Director of Touring Series, Richard Buck, a five-time champion crew chief from the Indianapolis 500 presented the award to “Troyer” Bob Mueller. Bob referred to Bob and Joan Garbarino as the “King and Queen of Whelen Modified Tour car owners.” I couldn’t agree more.

To a man, every member of the championship team acknowledged Greg Shroder as the key member of the Mystic Missile’s team success. It was said that Greg only attended three races this season. Despite that, his preparation of the yellow #4 cars parlayed into competitive racecars every time they unloaded.

Mueller said, “Our spotter, Greg Aumann you’re one of the main reasons we’re always in contention every week. Your communication with Donny was as good as it gets. Thank you”.

Mueller was the first to tell us about the two groups of people who came together as a team at Mystic Missile Racing. Bob Garbarino’s guys, most of whom had been with the team for forty years or more and Donny Lia’s guys, most of whom haven’t reached their thirtieth birthdays. Mueller said, “Richard [Brustolon], Skip [Heffernan] and Jimmy [Savage] have been with Bobby for all of these years. Dan [Laferriere], Geoff [Harbach], Al [Burbank], Garfield [Bowen], Chad [Israel], Eric [Israel] and Ryan [Spaulding] you guys were the greatest. Everybody did their job. We all worked together. We all had fun together. Y’all made my job easy.” He dedicated his part of the championship to John Blewett, III.

Mike Joy returned to the podium and said, “The movie “American Graffiti” asked the question, “Where were you in 62?” In 1962 Bob Garbarino was beginning his second season as a car owner. To say that he has waited and strived and worked four and a half decades for this moment is not a statement about age. It’s a statement about the relentless pursuit of excellence while maintaining high standards all along the way.”

Jerry Cook presented the Champion Car Owner Award to Bob Garbarino. NASCAR and Whelen saw fit to make a duplicate of the grand driver’s trophy in lieu of the relatively small owner’s trophy that is usually given. It was a decision that oozed class.

Bob earns runner-up honors for quote of the week. He said, “It’s a good thing Mike didn’t say it was anything about age. He’s got more gray hair than ever.” He also asked all of the other car owners to stand and be recognized for their contribution and dedication to the sport.

As Bob spoke glowingly of his wife Joan and his daughters, images of the early Mystic Missiles flashed on the screens. Garbarino said, “My grandchildren; …they think this whole thing is just wicked” [cool].

“I thank NASCAR for sanctioning the Tour and for each year causing the media to print a retraction on the obituary of the Tour.” He thanked Phil Kurze from Whelen and related that it’s tough to keep stride with him when he’s walking. “I really think his intentions are to make some big steps with our Tour.”

Bob said, “…Ron Hutter [engine builder] lives by the axiom that actions speak louder than words.” The Garbarino’s were extremely honored that Ron and his wife, Thalia, were in attendance to share in celebrating the championship. “I want to thank Ron and Thalia for their friendship and guidance. They’re always there.”

Garbarino complimented Bob Mueller for getting all of the people from varying backgrounds to work together on the crew. Bob said of Greg Shroder, “his dedication was the spark for the whole team.” Of, “James “Jimmy the Junkman” Savage, “he’s ready to take on anything and just about anybody.”

Bob said, “Richard Brustolon, We call him “Squirrel”. If we need something; he knows where it is…Skip Heffernan, “He’s “Steady Eddie” and he is always thinking ahead…Greg Aumann, “He’s always watching…and…he never forgets…Dan Laferriere, His motto is just give me the stagger you want and I’ll give it to you.”

Garbarino continued, “Al Burbank, Don’t worry, I’ve already checked all of those bolts…Chad and Eric Isreal, Just tell us when he is coming in and we’ll get him back out…Garfield [Bowen], This gas can isn’t anywhere near as heavy as you guys said it was…My grandson, Ryan [Spaulding] promises me he’s never let a drop of gasoline fall on the ground…Geoff Harbach always comes through the pit gate with a positive attitude and I’m telling you that just spreads over everyone. It’s contagious.”

Bob went on, “Then there is this guy Donny Lia…when we announced our plans for ’07, there were some reservations. It didn’t take long to make me a believer…he’s got a big heart and he cares what other people think and that’s going to carry him a long way…I have to thank Donny for taking the Missile to a place it hadn’t gone.”

Garbarino related his objectives from when he started racing, “I had two objectives, one, everybody who worked on the Missile should have some fun. And the second was; that it should never be there for financial gain. I can stand here and tell you tonight that plan has worked. Today is December 14th, 2007; it really started August 11, 1961…and I thank all of you that have had anything to do with it.”

Before Donny was presented with the champion’s trophy and ring there were several special awards to present. NASCAR’s Director of Weekly Racing and Contingency Programs, Bob Duvall presented Lia with the Bud Pole Award. Dan Anderson presented Donny and Bob Garbarino with Hoosier championship jackets.

Phil Kurze presented Donny with a Whelen Modified Tour Champion’s helmet by Bell, a Whelen winner’s check for two thousand dollars and the championship trophy. George Silbermann presented Lia with his championship ring.

Just as everyone thought that Donny would begin his speech, Lia brought Car Chief, Greg Shroder up so that he could be recognized. Greg said, “I’d like to thank a few people who have really helped me, Brad LaFontaine, Barry Kuhnel, Bob Mueller and Bob Garbarino. There’s a very special person that’s helped me very much all through my life, Jimmy Savage and I’d like him to stand up.” I thought that was one of the best moments of the evening.

Donny thanked NASCAR for having the banquet at Mohegan Sun. “It’s really a treat” I’ve included as much of Lia’s speech as I could for much of the remainder of this article. “I’d like to thank NASCAR for sanctioning our series. I thank all of the officials on the Whelen Modified Tour for making sacrifices in your lives week-in and week-out to provide us with a series to come to and enjoy with all of our friends and family and family being a key word. I think we all know that everyone in this room is one big family. Ed Cox and his whole team, Bill Brice, Lisa, Brooksie, Mary Brooks, Kilts, Joe Larsen, Rick, Dick Daddario, Jen, Chris, Bob Slade, Jeri, Dave, BJ, Jack, all of you guys, I have to stick up for Jack a little bit. He was awake in the tire compound…sometimes, thank you guys for what you did all year and every year.”

“I need to thank Whelen Engineering…sponsoring our series through 2016, that just shows that they are behind us one hundred and ten percent. Phil Kurze I can’t thank you enough for everything you do for us. I can’t wait to go drive that bobsled.” Lia will be among the NASCAR champions who are a part of the third annual Bodine Bobsled Challenge at Lake Placid, NY the first weekend in January.

“Todd Szegedy…and that whole Mike Smeriglio Racing team, Don, Mike and everybody there…you guys are a class act. They were right on our heels until the end. Thank you for being such good competitors.”

“Sometimes things work out that you can’t explain. My first dealings with Bob Garbarino just worked out. I made a phone call to Bob. I heard he was possibly not going racing. I wanted to know for myself what he was doing. I think he was a little surprised to hear from me. But, we had a long conversation…he kept speaking to me, he didn’t want to get off of the phone and our conversation got more interesting as it went. Something happened there, I think it just clicked. It was months later when he decided to let me drive the Mystic Missile, I can’t thank him enough for that.”

“There would be no championship speeches without two groups of people. Bob Garbarino’s long-time team and my team from Lia Motorsports that came together, we gelled right from the beginning. You can’t explain chemistry. To get two groups of people; one that’s sixty years-old plus and another group that’s thirty year-olds and younger to work together the way we did is really a shot in the dark. But when I think about it I am really proud of what we were able to accomplish. From top to bottom you guys were the absolute best this year.”

“When I think of Bob [Garbarino], a few words pop out; leadership, insight, wisdom and skills of problem solving; on top of all that he exudes confidence…He always has a plan and that is how he led us to accomplish this. He exudes a confidence that just gets absorbed by everyone around him, everyone on the crew and that’s what you need to go out and win races. That confidence was the catalyst that joined everything together. I can’t thank Bob enough for making me a better driver and a better person.”

“Thank you, Joan [Garbarino] for all you do for us, whether it would be food or telling me I have to pick a good number or I’m dead. Scoring, timing you’re always there for us. I have to thank you very much.”

“My Crew Chief “Troyer” Bob [Mueller]. The first race we worked together…in 2006 and right off the bat, it just worked. I won that race the first time we worked together. He knew what I wanted and to win our first race together gave me the confidence to move forward. We’re always on the same page and you always make me feel comfortable in and out of the racecar. Thank you for being a great friend and the best crew chief I’ve every known.”

“Greg Shroder, what else can I say but thank you; Jimmy and all of the guys at the shop prepared the perfect racecar to go out and not touch it and win or not touch it and win a pole is almost unexplainable. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication.”

Second runner up for quote of the week: “Now I’m going to touch on my guys a little bit.” “That didn’t sound too right. Garfield, you’ve been there since day one. I remember picking up a Legends car with a friend of mine out on Long Island pulling up with a snow mobile trailer, my [little] toolbox with a couple of screwdrivers and a couple of pairs of pliers and YOU. That was the extent of the racing operation. You’re one of the best friends I’ve ever had in my life and I can’t imagine going racing without you.”

“Geoff Harbach, somewhere along the line you became like a little brother to me. I want to thank you for all of your hard work that you’ve done for me and the #4 car over the years. I wish you the best of luck down south.”

“My spotter Greg [Aumann], I guess I’ve got to thank Chuck Hossfeld. Chuck and Greg worked together. Greg says that me and Chuck drive alike, sound alike on the radio and we say the same things. From the moment that we got together, hearing your voice on the other end of the radio always guiding me and watching what was going on the racetrack, keeping me in line, making sure I don’t do anything stupid, which is actually a tough job. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Dan Laferriere, awesome job on tires this year, I’m really proud of you. Just like Bob said, tell him what you need for stagger and he delivers it. Skip and Richard, I don’t know what I can say to you guys or about them. You guys are unbelievable.”

Jimmy Savage there’s one line that you always say to me before we get on the racetrack, “do your best and forget the rest”, that goes a long way with me. Thank you for all of the work at the shop, you, Skip, Richard and Greg, you guys put in endless hours every week, thank you.

“Al Burbank, it doesn’t matter what we need done; he’ll do it for us. Chad and Eric [Isreal] do a great job changing tires for us. Ron Hutter, thank you for supplying awesome horsepower. The first time I came off of the turn, Jimmy Blewett can tell you.”

Donny recognized his family’s support and thanked his beautiful girlfriend, Nancy. He asked Steve Halpin to stand up for helping him with his speech. Then Lia dedicated his championship in the memory of Tom Baldwin and John Blewett, III. I wish I could have included Donny’s final quotes but Steve’s speech ran my voice recorder out of time.

I’m sure that there are those who might have thought that the ceremonies ran long. However, the gravity and the passion of what was spoken from stage this year warranted it. As such it was quite difficult for me to limit what I could include in this piece.

I should end it there but Roy wouldn’t let me. He had to ask me where Dr. Jerry Punch was. Roy joined us for breakfast in the morning and for the ferry ride later.

Saturday night, Shopgirl and I stayed at a hotel where the hallways were about eighty-five degrees, connected by corridors that were unheated. A trip to the front desk was like a visit to a spa. Hot, cold, hot, cold, hot, cold.

Well we had a great time up at Mohegan Sun. All in our community that attended looked smashing. The past champions recognition was spectacular and NASCAR and Whelen made it a very special weekend.

Less than three weeks from now, we will be heading to Lake Placid to see the Bodine Bobsled Challenge. I look forward to seeing all of the people who are brave enough to make that trek. We’ll have a story about that too but it certainly will not be as long-winded as this one.