Located in Monrovia just across the Carroll County line, the 75-80 Dragway is the home track to most Carroll County drivers. So it came as no surprise that when the awards were passed out last Saturday at the annual banquet, the Carroll County drivers received the most recognition.
Joe Mayne of Mount Airy was the overall points leader in Class I Eliminator division. Mayne had another phenomenal year in his dragster and continues to be the man to beat at 75-80.
"I felt good about winning the championship," said Mayne. "I wasn't sure how the new electronics was going to work out, but it turned out pretty good."
The championship was Mayne's second straight and third in four years. Mayne won eight races and placed second in four events.
Marvin Ford of Westminster was named the most outstanding motorcyclist in 1994. In addition to winning the track title, Ford won the Race of Champions at Maple Grove Raceway in September's finals.
Cliff Peddicord of Westminster was named the most outstanding high school student driver. The 17-year-old won the High School Race at the E.T. Racing Series at Maple Grove against students from 18 other tracks.
Jeff Melso of Keymar was the overall points leader for Class II Eliminator and Scott Bodmer of Ijamsville was the most outstanding Jr. Dragster driver.
Martin Spalding of Owings Mills won the most improved driver in Class I award. Steve Dustin of Westminster, who went to the semifinals at the Maple Grove Tournament Finals, was named the most improved driver in Class II. Tim Lippy of New Windsor received the most improved motorcycle rider award.
Robbie Hudlow of Monrovia received the best appearing car award in Class I and Jim Berry of Frederick received the award for Class II. Dave Belt of Taneytown had the best appearing motorcycle.
The driver most likely to succeed in 1995 award in Class I went to Mitch Willingham of Baltimore, George Hoff of Westminster received the same award for Class II and Scott Chasen of Taneytown was the recipient of the award in the motorcycle division.
The Wagners of Hampstead received the best appearing award in the Jr. Dragster division. The Maynes of Mount Airy received the award for Class I.
Wanda Branderburg of Mount Airy received the best appearing crew award during the season. The top woman racer award went to Lisa Peddicord of Westminster and the Hard Luck Award was presented to Laura Forman of New Windsor. The Hoffs of Westminster were recipients of the All in the Family Award.
Other Carroll County drivers who finished in the top 16 in points and represented 75-80 in the Sears Craftsman E.T. Tournament Finals last September were Sev Tingle of Mount Airy, who finished fourth followed by Ray Lewis of Woodbine in fifth. Dan Householder of Sykesville and Jim Peddicord of Westminster were 12th and 13th, respectively, and Reuben Standifer of Mount Airy rounded out the top 16.
In Class II Eliminator, George Hoff was fourth and Steve Hoff of Sykesville was sixth. Eighth through 10th went to Chris Hruska of Mount Airy, Scott Lowman of Woodbine and Dustin. Mike Stambaugh of Union Bridge, Ben Snouffer of Mount Airy, Corey Hess of Taneytown and Steve Cavey of Westminster claimed the 12th through 15th positions.
The Ford brothers finished one, two, three in the motorcycle division with Marvin of Westminster the top rider. Malcolm of Westminster was next and Marion of Hampstead was third. Lippy was fourth, Gene Belt of Taneytown placed sixth, Chasen finished seventh and Norman Wagner of Hampstead rounded out the top eight.
Rule changes at 75-80 Dragway for the 1995 season will be available after Jan. 15.
* At Hagerstown Speedway's awards banquet, Hampstead's Charlie Schaffer finished fifth in the late model points and Gary Stuhler of Westminster placed eighth. Paul Crowl of Upperco was 12th. Schaffer received the sportsmanship award.