By: T. J. Layne
COAL GROVE, OHIO-The first annual “Rocky Top Raceway Banquet of Champions” was held on Friday night, December 8th at the Golden Corral restaurant in Ashland, Kentucky. The top three drivers in the Late Model, Modified, and Bomber divisions were honored for their accomplishments with a delicious dinner and an awards presentation.
Late Model drivers honored included third place points finisher from Wheelersburg, Ohio Josh Bocook along with second place points finisher the “Flyin Duece” Joe Ramey from Ironton, Ohio. The 2006 Rocky Top Raceway Late Model champion for the second time in three years was Wheelersburg, Ohio racer Nick Bocook. Bocook racked up one win, nine top fives, and ten top tens in 13 races this season. The Late Model division was super competitive all year long as 66 different drivers from four states raced at Rocky Top during 2006.
Todd Robinson, also for the second time in three years, was honored as the 2006 Rocky Top Raceway Modified track champion. Robinson, from South Point, Ohio, ended the season with two wins, six top fives, and nine top tens over the course of the season. Over the final month and a half of the year, Robinson came from 150 points back to claim the title. Second place points finisher Greg Thompson from Ironton, Ohio and third place points finisher Dave Kelley from Coal Grove, Ohio were also honored. Thompson and Kelley were tied for the second position but Thompson won the tiebreaker via one win on the year. Over the course of the 2006 season 85 different Modifieds from five states came to the high banks of Rocky Top.
West Virginia’s Brett Carey was honored for his first career Rocky Top Raceway Bomber track championship. Brett picked up two wins, ten top fives, and ten top ten finishes over 12 races which was enough to give him the title. Other drivers honored included Maysville, Kentucky’s Wayne Hughes for his second place points finish along with Coal Grove, Ohio’s Kenneth Neal for his third place points finish. Hughes, with four wins, was the winningest driver out of all classes in what was a very competitive 2006 season. 45 different Bomber drivers from three states competed at Rocky Top this season.
With the champions dinner and award presentations completed, race fans who attend the seasons first race will get to witness the trophy presentation. The presentation will take place before the start of Hot Laps on the front straightaway. 2006 champions Nick Bocook, Todd Robinson, and Brett Carey will be presented with their trophies in front of the opening night crowd.
It has been a great 2006 season and all of us at Rocky Top are working hard to make 2007 even better. Improvements such as higher payouts, an arcade for the kids, and a new class prove to make what is already “the most exciting, action packed show in town” even better. The 2007 season kicks off with a Test N Tune on Saturday, April 14th with Opening Night 2007 coming on Friday night, April 20th. The tracks new official website, www.rockytopraceway.net will be online shortly.