Albany, NY – On Saturday evening the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) held its 46th Annual Awards Banquet at the Polish Community Center in Albany. Drivers and crews from across the State of New York gathered to accept their awards from the 2014 racing season.

The Albany-Saratoga Speedway was well represented at the banquet with numerous drivers who call the Great Race Place home earning NYSSCA Awards. Earlier in the afternoon track owner Howard Commander was inducted into the NYSSCA Hall of Fame.

The patriarch of the Lebanon Valley Auto Racing group was joined by Kenny Brightbill, Wes Moody and the late Charlie Jarzombek who each have turned many laps at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway. Also being enshrined were Marcia Wetmore and Pete Bicknell.

The New York State Stock Car Association has enshrined numerous legends from the Great Race Place over the years. Some of these icons who are enshrined include Jack Johnson, C.D. Coville, Jim King, the late Bob Savoie, Percy Barber, Mike Ronca, Don Ackner and Jim and Barb Frye, to name a few.

Each season the banquet offers three distinct types of track awards to drivers – Driver of the Year, Outstanding Performance and Rookie/Newcomer of the Year.

For the 2014 season, the Albany-Saratoga Driver of the Year awards were awarded to Brett Hearn (DIRTcar Modified), Jeremy Pitts (Sportsman), Colin Bokus (Limited Sportsman), Rob Yetman (DIRTcar Pro Stocks), Bill Duprey (Street Stocks), Steve Ryan (Four Cylinder Dual Cam) and Dave LaBarge (Four Cylinder Single Cam).

The Outstanding Performance awards were won by Peter Britten (DIRTcar Modified), Tim Hartman, Jr. (Sportsman), Rob Maxon, Pete Jeske and David Emigh (Limited Sportsman), Kim Duell (DIRTcar Pro Stocks), Randy Miller (Street Stocks), Pete Vila (Four Cylinder Dual Cam) and Brett Horlacher (Four Cylinder Single Cam).

In all, four drivers would earn the Rookie/Newcomer of the Year award. Those drivers include Timothy Davis (Sportsman), Ken Conroy (Limited Sportsman), Robbie Speed (DIRTcar Pro Stock) and Jason Meltz (Street Stocks).

The 2014 NYSSCA Journalism Award was awarded to Bobby Chalmers. Chalmers, the Founder, Editor-In-Chief and Video Production Director of track marketing partner Race Pro Weekly (www.raceproweekly.com) was awarded the award based on his hard work promoting local racing via the online television show Race Pro Weekly. The weekly area wrap up show is hosted by Albany-Saratoga announcer Mike Warren.

Warren took to the stage to announce the winner of the Race Pro Weekly/NYSSCA Performer of the Year. This year’s award went to DIRTcar Modified Track Champion Brett Hearn.

The Performer of the Year Award is given out weekly on the online television show. The award is sponsored by the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA). Each week, a person who exemplifies superior skill or passion for the sport is honored by being named ‘Performer of the Week’ on the show.  At the end of the season, the staff of the Race Pro Weekly show collects all the award recipients and votes on who had the best season the previous year.  That person is named the Performer of the Year at the NYSSCA Awards Banquet.

The Albany-Saratoga Speedway’s next event will be the annual Awards Banquet. The banquet will be held on Saturday March 7th at the Saratoga/Wilton Elks Club. The 50th Anniversary season opener will take place of Friday evening, April 17th. For more information on the Albany-Saratoga Speedway please log on to www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com.