ET Bracket Indy ORP season ending celebration

O'REILLY RACEWAY PARK VP FUELS E. T. BRACKET RACING CHAMPIONS CROWNED

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 25, 2008) The 2008 VP Fuels E. T. Bracket Racing Champions of O'Reilly Raceway Park were crowned at a season ending celebration on Saturday night. Nick Finney, Tony Zeller, Greg Dillman, Pop Arthurs, Matt Murphy and Nick Isenhower were all honored for their achievement during the evening. Also honored was the O'Reilly Raceway Park 2008 Division 3 Summit E. T. Finals team.

Finney was honored not only as the champion of the Rightway Automotive Sportsman class but also as the O'Reilly Raceway Park track champion for the 2008 season. This is the second consecutive season was the champion of the Sportsman class last year as well.

"It is pretty awesome to be back up here this year. Last year was a surprise enough and to do it two years in a row in my class is pretty awesome. I would like to thank my parents for spending all kinds of money on me. Dad for giving me the truck to use and always fixing the car always dealing with the constant cell phone calls on how to fix the car so I really appreciate that," said Finney. "Special thanks to my sponsors, Gary and Kay Bush of Liquid Waste Removal of Greenwood. I wouldn't be up here without you guys and I really appreciate it. Special thanks to Jacob Murphy for all his help during the year and for me and him to go one two in the class is pretty special."

Another defending champion honored was Arthurs who for the third consecutive season was the Vance & Hines Motorsports Pro Bike champion. Arthurs is using the same engine in his motorcycle since he purchased it in 1991 and gave thanks to all the support he receives during the season.

"I'd like to thank Mike Myslinski, O'Reilly Raceway Park and all the staff that works so hard to give us a good clean race track each week. I'd also like to thank all the racers in the Vance & Hines Motorsports class as we took four racers to the E.T. Finals. We all park together, cook together, laugh and cry together we were all together all year long. We had enough bikes this year that we went five rounds and sometimes six rounds. I appreciate everyone for coming out and hanging out there all year long," he said during the banquet. "I'd also like to thank the other half of Pop and Mom racing, Mom Arthurs. She has been helping me out and by my side since we had that first date, December 4, 1958."

Dillman, a series regular at O'Reilly Raceway Park dominated the Schmidt Competition Engines Pro ET class during the course of the season to win the class. He also was awarded the Sportsman of the Year award.

"I'd would like to thank my family for their support during the whole year including my wife, my children and my dad," he stated from the podium. "He does all the maintenance on the car and he is good at finding those problems that never seem to happen at the track yet they do after I load the car into the garage."

Zeller was the ARC Racing Engines Super Pro champion for the season and brought a large contingent of well wishers with him to the banquet.

"I want to take a moment and thanks all the racers for coming out and racing with us this year and supporting the program all season long. I would also like to thank Sullivan Tires for their support and it really helps us out and I look forward to next year."

The Junior Dragster champions were also honored with Matt Murphy taking the title in the Dial-Pro Junior Dragster category and Nick Isenhower crowned as the champion in the O'Reilly Raceway Park Minor Junior Dragster Champion.

"Our racers battled a long season and all of them are to be commended for their hard work and determination," said Mike Myslinski, director of racing operations. "The class champions used skill, dedication, support from their friends and a little luck to be crowned as champions. We are very proud of them and they way the represent O'Reilly Raceway Park."

Champions received, monetary payouts, gold cards, rings, jackets, wrist watches and gift cards.

Those in attendance that were part of the 2008 Division 3 Summit E. T. Finals team were honored as Jay Hullinger, Division 3 Director presented the team with the championship Wally, jackets and a monetary payout.

Also honored during the night was Kenny Robinson winning the hard luck award, June Brading was awarded the O'Reilly Raceway Park Distinguished Employee award, and Scott Forehand was also awarded his King of the Track jacket.

-credit: orp