Series Night of Champions notes

NASCAR Champions Honored In Night Of Champions Touring Awards Gala
Inaugural Event Celebrates Accomplishments Of 2009

CONCORD, N.C. (Nov. 14, 2009) -- Five champions in NASCAR's developmental series were honored during the inaugural Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala in the Concord (N.C.) Convention Center on Saturday night.

The festivities featured the champions and top drivers from all of NASCAR's North American regional touring series, who gathered for the special year-end celebration at the hub of stock-car racing.

The 2009 champions included Ryan Truex (NASCAR Camping World Series East), Jason Bowles (NASCAR Camping World Series West), Donny Lia (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), George Brunnhoelzl III (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour), and Andrew Ranger (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1).

* Truex, of Mayetta, N.J., became just the second driver in the history of the NASCAR Camping World Series East to win the championship and the rookie title in the same year.

* Bowles, of Ontario, Calif., won the NASCAR Camping World Series West title in his third season of competing in the series.

* Lia, of Jericho, N.Y., captured his second NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship in the past three seasons.

* Brunnhoelzl, of Babylon, N.Y., won his first NASCAR championship in taking the title in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

* Ranger, of Roxton Pond, Que., captured his second series crown in three seasons -- having also won the championship in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in its inaugural season of 2007.

"We are very proud of our developmental series and the tradition that all of you in this room represent," NASCAR's Vice President of Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell told those in attendance. "These series mean so much to us, as the showcase for our next generation of racing talent -- and an important bridge from local weekly short tracks to the national series level.

"This is where you can find some of this sport's legendary drivers of this sport, multi-time NASCAR champions, seasoned veterans, who are showing the young guns that experience can speak volumes," O'Donnell said.

In addition to the championship awards, the Most Popular Driver Awards for each series were also presented during the ceremony. The five drivers honored with the prestigious award were Ted Christopher in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Andy Seuss in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, Andrew Ranger in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Steve Park in the NASCAR Camping World Series East and Moses Smith in the NASCAR Camping World Series West.

The top 10 drivers and car owners from NASCAR's developmental series were recognized during the gala event -- which featured Mike Joy and Dr. Dick Berggren of Fox Sports as master of ceremonies. The awards banquet was streamed live online at www.nascarhometracks.com -- the official online home of NASCAR's developmental series.

The awards celebration capped a week of festivities in the Charlotte area aimed at providing the top drivers and track operators in NASCAR's developmental series an up close and personal look at the hub of stock-car racing. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet on Friday honored champions from across North America in the series that is NASCAR's grassroots foundation.

-credit: nascar