Champions and More Honored at 2015 Champion Racing Association Awards Banquet
Indianapolis, IN (January 8, 2016) – The 2015 Champion Racing Association Powered by JEGS Awards Banquet, which was presented by Shepherd Insurance, was held Friday night at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown at Union Station. The top 10 in 2015 ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS points, JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by Chevrolet Performance points, Vore’s Welding & Steel CRA Late Model Sportsman Powered by JEGS points and Stealth Trailers CRA Street Stocks Powered by JEGS points were all honored at the banquet along with several special awards.
Grant Quinlan was officially crowned the 2015 ARCA/CRA Super Series Champion, as well as the 2015 Senneker Performance Rookie of the Year, becoming only the third driver to claim both awards in the nineteen year history of the series, joining three time series Champion Scott Hantz and 2011 Champion Derrick Griffin as the only drivers to accomplish that feat. Quinlan drove a car prepared each week by Downey Racing.
Mark Lambert was the 2015 Speed Media Sportsman of the Year Award winner for the ARCA/CRA Super Series. Robbie Baize, car owner for the #13 Hunter Baize, was honored as the winner of the 2015 Darrell Teal Outstanding Dedication Award for his dedication to CRA and keeping his team and driver at all the series events in 2015 despite a tough string of bad luck. Lambert was also the winner of the Speed51.com Most Popular Driver award for the series and he also claimed the Speed Media Best Appearing Car Award. Veteran CRA competitor Jeff Lane was awarded the Outerwears Crew Chief of the Year Award for his work in helping Eddie Van Meter have a huge comeback season including picking up his first series win in nine years and a second place finish in series points.
Dalton Armstrong was officially crowned the 2015 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Driver Champion while Bill Burba Motorsports was officially crowned the 2015 JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Owner Champion, this was the first season the series had a split Championship. Armstrong raced for 2012 series Championship Car Owner Scott Neal. Bill Burba Motorsports drivers in 2015 included 2013 and 2014 ARCA/CRA Super Series Champion Travis Braden and veteran Ohio racer Mike Stacy.
Quinnton Bear was honored as the Howie Lettow Rookie of the Year Presented by Van Doorn Racing Development Award winner. Mark Jacobs was the 2015 Speed Media Sportsman of the Year Award winner for the series. Bozell Racing was honored as the winner of the 2015 series Dedication Award for all the work and dedication in having two cars at every series event in 2015 that finished fifth and six in final series points. Armstrong was also the winner of the Speed51.com Most Popular Driver Award with the series and he also claimed the Speed Media Best Appearing Car Award.
Jason Atkinson was honored as the 2015 Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman Champion and the 2015 Stealth Trailers CRA Street Stocks Champion, becoming the first driver to ever claim two CRA Championship’s in one season. It was the first CRA Late Model Sportsman Championship for Atkinson’s car owner Mic Oakley. It was the second straight CRA Street Stock Championship for Atkinson’s car owner Danny Acrey.
Matthew Parsons was the 2015 Rookie of the Year award winner in the CRA Late Model Sportsman. 2014 series Champion Greg Van Alst was the PGG Sportsman of the Year Award winner. Atkinson was awarded the series 2015 Dedication Award for his hard work in finally claiming the series Championship and becoming the first ever driver to win two CRA Championships in the same season. Parsons was also the winner of the series Speed51.com Most Popular Driver Award.
Andrew Teepe was awarded the 2015 Rookie of the Year Award for the CRA Street Stocks. Colby Lane was awarded the PGG Sportsman of the Year Award. Jake McElfresh received the series 2015 Dedication Award, for overcoming several setbacks during the season to be at every event and finish fifth in series Championship points. Atkinson was the winner of the Speed 51.com Most Popular Driver Award for the series.
The Lucas Oil Raceway Stock Car Series presented by Visit Hendricks County Champions were also honored Friday night. Lucas Oil Raceway General Manager Randy Simpson was on hand to present Shawn Amor his Lucas Oil Raceway Stock Car Series Championship Trophy for the CRA Late Model Sportsman Division and Colby Lane his Lucas Oil Raceway Stock Car Series Championship Trophy for the CRA Street Stocks.
In all over $127,000 in cash and product awards were distributed to the 40 CRA teams at the 2015 CRA Awards Banquet Presented by Shepherd Insurance.
More information on all the CRA Series is available at www.cra-racing.com.
