Attica Raceway Park Crowns 2014 Champions

Attica Raceway Park Crowns 2014 Champions

By Brian Liskai

ATTICA, Ohio (Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014) – Attica Raceway Park crowned four first time track champions during the season-ending banquet Saturday. Caleb Griffith, who is a former Attica 305 track champion, captured his first 410 sprint track title while Jeff Babcock won his first Attica late model title. Jordan Ryan became the second youngest track champion – ironically Griffith is the track’s youngest champion when he claimed the 305 title at the age of 15 – took the 305 sprint championship while Shawn Valenti took the track title in the dirt trucks.

Griffith, from Castalia, was the only driver in the O’Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprint Division to make all 15 A-mains in 2014. The 2003 Attica 305 track champion recorded an incredible 13 top 10 finishes and 7 top five runs. He scored his first career 410 feature win on July 25th and had four runner-up finishes and a third along the way. Caleb did not finish out of the top 9 from June 6th through the end of the year. His average A-main finishing position was sixth.

Babcock, from Wayne, Ohio, competed in 16 of the 17 A-mains in 2014, missing only the season-ending event. He recorded 12 top 10 finishes and 11 top five finishes. He scored 6 wins – April 11th, May 2nd, May 16th, July 25th, Aug. 1st and Aug. 23rd – to run his career total to 10, moving him into fourth on the track’s all-time win list. Jeff’s average A-main finishing position was an incredible fifth.

Ryan, who was 17-years-old when he took the track title, competed in 14 of the 15 A-mains in 2014, missing only the season-ending event. Ryan, from Castalia, Ohio, never finished out of the top eight and that eighth place finish was on championship night in August. Prior to that his worse finish was seventh on June 13th. Jordan had 11 top five finishes and scored wins on June 6th and July 4th. He had four runner-up finishes and three third place runs. Jordan now has five career Attica wins. His average A-main finishing position was in incredible third.

Valenti, who will move into modified racing in 2015, had a dream season in 2014. His total combined feature wins in trucks and stock cars was 22. Valenti, from Risingsun, Ohio, competed in all 11 A-mains at Attica in 2014 and never finished worse than fifth. Shawn racked up six wins and a pair of runner-up finishes. Shawn now has 9 career wins at Attica to sit fourth in the division’s all-time win list. Shawn’s average A-main finishing position was a remarkable second.

During his remarks to the big audience, Attica Promoter John Bores noted a new, larger pit concession stand will be built for next season and over 150 loads of new clay had been added to the track, combining top soil and clay to provide a better surface. He added a new expanded pit concession stand will be built to include double serving windows to both the pit and grandstand sides.

Attica Raceway Park will open their 2015 season on Friday, March 27.

Following are the rest of the top 10 and rookie of the year for the O’Reilly Auto Parts 410 Sprints:

Rookie of the year – Dain Naida, Tecumseh, Mich. The former Sprints On Dirt Champion competed in five A-mains in 2014 with three 11th place finishes his best. He finished 14th in the track’s points.

10th – Stuart Brubaker, Fremont. The 2008 Attica 305 sprint champion and former 410 rookie of the year competed in 10 of the 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded five top 10 finishes including a season best seventh on April 18th. His average A-main finishing position was 12th.

9. Travis Philo, Waterville, Ohio. Travis competed in 12 of the 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded four top 10 finishes and a pair of top five runs including a season best third on July 18th. His average A-main finishing position was 13th.

8. Jody Keegan, Fremont, Ohio. The 1999 Attica 305 sprint champion competed in 12 of the 15 A-mains in 2014. Jody recorded a season best fifth on April 18th. His average A-main finishing position was 16th.

7. Brandon Martin, Attica, Ohio. Brandon competed in 12 of the 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded three top 10 runs including a season-best fifth on Aug. 1. His average A-main finishing position was 12th.

6. Brian Lay, Genoa, Ohio. Brian competed in 12 of the 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded six top 10 runs and three top five finishes. His best finish was a second on July 4th. He also scored a third place finish on June 6th. Brian’s average A-main finishing position was 11th.

5. Duane Zablocki, Tiffin, Ohio. Duane competed in 10 of the 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded four top 10 finishes including a season-best fourth on June 13th. His average A-main finishing position was 11th.

4. Craig Mintz, Gibsonburg, Ohio. The 2012 and 2013 Attica 410 champion competed in 13 of the 15 A-mains in 2014, missing only the July 4th and August 29th events. He started the year strong, recording six straight top three finishes. Craig had 10 top five runs. Craig posted three wins in 2014 – May 9th, June 6th and July 18 – to run his career total to 12. He also recorded three runner-up finishes and a pair of third place runs. His average A-main finishing position was sixth.

3. Byron Reed, Monclova, Ohio. The six time Attica track champion competed in 13 of the 15 A-mains in 2014, missing only the May 9th and May 30th (WoO) events. He recorded 11 top 10 finishes including eight top five runs. In fact, Byron did not finish out of the top nine from June 6th to the end of the year. Byron scored his 30th career Attica win on season championship night, Aug. 23rd. Byron also recorded a runner-up finish and a pair of third place runs. His average A-main finishing position was sixth.

2. Chris Andrews, Sandusky, Ohio. The 2009 Attica 410 champion and 2006 Attica 305 sprint champion competed in 14 of the 15 A-mains in 2014, missing only the World of Outlaw show on May 30th. He recorded 12 top 10 finishes and eight top five runs. He scored back-to-back wins on June 13th and July 4th to run his career total to six. Chris also recorded three third place finishes. He opened the season with seven straight top 10 finishes and was in contention for the track title right down to championship night. Chris’ average A-main finishing position was sixth.

Following are the rest of the top 10 and rookie of the year for the Summit Racing Equipment UMP Late Models:

10. Devin Shiels, Britton, Mich. Devin competed in 12 of the 17 A-mains in 2014. He opened the year strong, not finishing out of the top 10 in the first nine events. Devin recorded 11 top 10 finishes and a pair of top five finishes including a season-best third on Aug. 1. His average A-main finishing position was eighth.

9. Doug Baird, Alvada, Ohio. Attica’s 2014 rookie of the year, Baird competed in nine of the 17 A-mains in 2014. He recorded a season-best 10th on Aug. 16th.

8. Ryan Markham, Ashland, Ohio. The Attica-Wayne County Late Model Series Champion competed in 15 of the 17 A-mains in 2014, missing only the Aug. 16th and 23rd as he went to Wayne County to take that track’s championship. He started the year strong, not finishing out of the top eight in the first eight races of the year. Ryan recorded 12 top 10 finishes and eight top five runs. He recorded wins on April 5th, May 9th, and June 13th to run his career total to four. His average A-main finishing position was seventh.

7. Steve Sabo, Fremont, Ohio. Steve competed in 11 of the 17 A-mains in 2014. He recorded a season best 10th on Aug. 30th. Steve’s average A-main finishing position was 13th.

6. Cody Scott, Ontario, Ohio. Cody competed in 13 of the 17 A-mains in 2014. He recorded 7 top 10 finishes including a season-best fourth on May 9th. He caught fire toward the end of the year, scoring three straight sixth place finishes. His average A-main finishing position was 11th.

5. John Bores, Bellevue, Ohio. John competed in 13 of the 17 A-mains in 2014. He recorded three top 10 finishes including a season-best seventh on Aug. 16th. His average A-main finishing position was 14th.

4. Ryan Missler, Bellevue, Ohio. Ryan, the winner of the last five straight track championships, competed in 16 of the 17 A-mains in 2014, missing only opening night. He recorded 10 top 10 finishes and seven top five runs. He scored his 11th career Attica win on Aug. 16th. He had one runner-up finish and three third place runs. His average A-main finishing position was 10th.

3. Matt Irey, Mansfield, Ohio. Matt competed in 15 of the 17 A-mains, missing only the July 18th Hell Tour event and the Aug. 1st event. He recorded 12 top 10 finishes and 8 top five finishes. He scored a runner-up finish on July 11th and three top three runs. His average A-main finishing position was seventh.

2. Mike Bores, Bellevue, Ohio. Mike competed in 16 of the 17 A-mains in 2014, missing only the July 19th Hell Tour event. He recorded 12 top 10 finishes and seven top five runs. He scored his first career super late model win on July 11th and added three runner-up finishes. Mike’s average A-main finishing position was eighth.

Following are the rest of the top 10 and rookie of the year for the Foster Auto Body 305 Sprints:

Rookie of the year – Luke Griffith, Castalia, Ohio. Luke competed in 14 of the 15 A-mains in 2014 and finished 12th in the track points. He recorded a pair of top 10 finishes including a season-best eighth on July 4th. His average A-main finishing position was 13th.

10. Tyler Gunn, Napoleon, Ohio. A former rookie of the year, Tyler competed in 14 of the 15 A-mains, missing only the season ending event. He recorded six top 10 finishes including a season-best runner-up run on June 13th. His average A-main finishing position was 13th.

9. Seth Schneider, Fremont, Ohio. A former rookie of the year at Attica, Seth competed in 14 of the 15 A-mains in 2014, missing only the season ending event. He recorded six top 10 finishes including a season-best fourth on April 18th. His average A-main finishing position was 12th.

8. Ricky Peterson, Rawson, Ohio. Ricky competed in all 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded eight top 10 finishes and four top fives. He scored a runner-up finish on May 16th and a third on Aug. 30th. His average A-main finishing position was 10th.

7. Jason Keckler, Fremont, Ohio. Jason competed in all 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded eight top 10 finishes and three top five finishes. He scored his first career Attica win on May 16th. Jason’s average A-main finishing position was ninth.

6. Bobby Clark, Fremont, Ohio. Bobby competed in 14 of the 15 A-mains in 2014, missing only the June 13th event. He recorded 11 top 10 finishes and eight top five runs. He scored wins on May 9th and the final two events of the season on Aug. 23rd and Aug. 30th to run his career total to 16 and move him into a tie for fifth on the track’s all-time win list for the division. He also had a pair of runner-up finishes. Bobby’s average A-main finishing position was seventh.

5. Paul Weaver, Fremont, Ohio. The 2009 Attica champion competed in all 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded 11 top 10 finishes and 10 top five finishes including the final six events of the year. Paul scored wins on July 11th, Aug. 1st and Aug. 16th to run his career total to 32 as he sits atop the track’s all-time win list for the division. Paul’s average A-main finishing position was seventh.

4. John Ivy, Fremont, Ohio. The former 410 and 305 track champion competed in all 15 A-mains in 2014. He opened the season strong, not finishing out of the top eight in the first eight events. John recorded an incredible 14 top 10 finishes and six top five runs. He scored wins on April 5th and April 18th to run his career total in the division to 13. John’s average A-main finishing position was sixth.

3. Steve Rando, Lindsey, Ohio. Steve competed in all 15 A-mains in 2014. He recorded 13 top 10 finishes and seven top five finishes. He had a runner-up finish on Aug. 23rd and recorded four third place runs. His average A-main finishing position was sixth.

2. Nate Dussel, Bradner, Ohio. Nate, who won the last three Attica 305 sprint track championships, competed in 14 of the 15 A-mains in 2014, missing only the season-ending event. Nate recorded 11 top 10 finishes and nine top five finishes. He scored wins on April 11th, May 2nd and July 25th to run his career total to 14 to move him into eighth on the track’s all-time win list for the division. He also recorded a pair of runner-up finishes and a pair of third place runs. In the last five races he never finished out of the top four. His average A-main finishing position was sixth.

Following are the rest of the top 10 and rookie of the year for the Fremont Fence Dirt Trucks:

10. Jeff Warnick, Republic, Ohio – Jeff competed in all 11 A-mains in 2014. He recorded three top 10 finishes including a season best seventh on April 11th. His average A-main finishing position was 12th.

9. Brandon Leighton, Fremont, Ohio – The 2014 rookie of the year competed in 10 of the 11 A-mains, missing only the season ending event. He recorded a pair of season-best eighth place finishes. His average A-main finishing position was 12th.

8. Brad Keckler, Fremont, Ohio – Brad competed in 10 of the 11 A-mains, missing only the June 6th event. He recorded eight top 10 runs including a season best third on May 2. His average A-main finishing position was eighth.

7. Dana Fry, Clyde, Ohio – Dana competed in all 11 A-mains in 2014. He recorded nine top 10 finishes including a pair of season-best fifth place runs. His average A-main finishing position was eighth.

6. Dustin Keegan, Fremont, Ohio – The 2013 Attica track champion competed in all 11 A-mains in 2014. He recorded nine top 10 finishes and three top five runs including a season best fourth on Aug. 30. His average A-main finishing position was eighth.

5. Keith Sorg, Fremont, Ohio – Keith competed in all 11 A-mains in 2014. He recorded nine top 10 finishes with a season best fifth on Aug. 23rd. His average A-main finishing position was ninth.

4. Art Ball, Tiffin, Ohio – The 1996 and 1997 Attica street stock champion and 2006, 2007 and 2009 dirt truck champion, Art competed in 10 of the 11 A-mains in 2014, missing only the season-ending event. He recorded seven top 10 finishes and three top five runs including a season-best second on June 13th. His average A-main finishing position was eighth.

3. Kyle Cline, Ashland, Ohio – Kyle competed in all 11 A-mains in 2014. He recorded nine top 10 finishes and four top five runs. He posted season-best fourth place runs on three consecutive nights of racing. His average A-main finishing position was seventh.

2. Matt Foos, Fremont, Ohio. Matt competed in 10 of the 11 A-mains in 2014, missing only the June 6th event. He recorded nine top four finishes…his worse finish of the year was 16th on July 11th. Matt scored his first two Attica wins, on June 13th and August 16th. His average A-main finishing position was an incredible fourth.

For more information go to www.atticaracewaypark.com