NEETS Caps Off Season with 5th Annual Awards Ceremony
By: Geno Ostrowski

The NEETS Holiday Stock Car Series honored divisional series champions Saturday evening at the famed Lobitz Catering Hall in Hazelton. Enduro veteran, Richard Petey, took two separate division titles and Don Rogers grabbed his first crown in the series.

After running a full season at Lehighton's Mahoning Valley Speedway, the awards ceremony kicked off with a few words about Stan Lobitz and his love of motorsports in general, followed by a presentation of the Norwich Construction Top Ten Club awards. Every driver who finished in the top ten in any single race were awarded plaques, and the driver(s) that notched the most top 10 finishes in each division were also awarded a cash prize. Don Rogers, Dennis Sizemore and Dave Bentley, Jr. took the honors in the Unique Golf four cylinder class and Richard Petey and Phil Lamonaco sat atop the 6/8 cylinder list. Petey also had the most top 10 finishes in the Custom Classic TRUX division.

The drivers that finished in the top ten for each division were presented with trophies and cash prizes next. After making the trip from Doylestown, PA, Don Rogers found himself at the podium as the Unique Golf four cylinder champion. Even without a win this season, Rogers held off Dave Bentley, Jr. and John Saccomandi to notch his first NEETS championship.

Richard Petey of Hackettstown, NJ dominated the points all season long in the Custom Classic TRUX class and was crowned the division champion. However, Petey wasn't finished as far as championships were concerned. After winning his first two career NEETS events earlier in the season, Petey was also crowned the 6/8 cylinder champion. The championship was extra special for Petey, as he actually tied in the final point tally with Phil Lamonaco. Petey was awarded the crown because he had the most wins between the two drivers. With five wins this season, three time NEETS champion Joe Jentile was third.

NEETS series manager, Joe Cutri, presented a promoter's awards to Cindy Bott and Josh Oswald for their outstanding promotion and dedication of the series this season. Including Bott and Oswald, Cutri also presented awards of recognition to the rest of the NEETS officials, which included April Makarewicz, Matt Odwazny and Kevin Makarewicz.

An annual "Uncle Petey" award is presented to an individual, or individuals that have went out of their way to help ensure that the series prospers for years to come. Many people who are special to the organization have won the prize in the past. This season, Richard Petey presented Joe Cutri and Erin Bartley with the plaque. The two were later presented with separate awards of recognition that were courtesy of the NEETS officials.

Cutri closed the ceremony by presenting Tracy Berger-Carmen and Vern McLaughlin III with spirit awards. Both drivers in the series have gone out of their way to offer their services in many ways throughout the season.

Before DJ Ricky Fisher got the party started, Cutri thanked everyone for their support during a difficult season and noted that there will be a home for the NEETS series next season. Once finalized, the information will be posted here on the NEETS website.

2007 NEETS Holiday Stock Car Series Top 10
6/8 Cylinder Division
Champion- RICHARD PETEY
2. Phil Lamonaco
3. Joe Jentile
4. Howie Bott
5. Kory Stevens
6. TJ Stevens
7. Bob Kulik
8. Randy Parsons, Jr.
9. James Presley
10. Larry Carmen

Unique Golf 4 Cylinder Division
Champion- DON ROGERS
2. Dave Bebtley, Jr.
3. John Saccomandi
4. Dennis Sizemore
5. Brian Kunkel
6. Ryan Nelson
7. Mike Ventura
8. Jon Smith
9. Art Kulik
10. Sam Ryan

Custom Classic TRUX Division
Champion- RICHARD PETEY
2. Jeff Gregor
3. Frank Katona
4. Jake Oswald
5. John Cozza
6. Erin Bartley
7. Jim Badalato
8. Woot Lawrence
9. Harry Sager
10. Jim White