One might normally expect me to relate musings of an interesting weekend at the annual Whelen Modified Tour Awards Banquet. As many who are reading this are already aware, this weekend was far more than eventful for this MSS wordsmith. This trip to Mohegan Sun was more than a pleasure. It was an honor and an opportunity for positive cash flow.

This was the fourth consecutive Modified Tour banquet that I have had the privilege of covering for MSS and the third time in a row that it has been held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. I told everyone two years ago about Newcomb’s luck. That day I flushed fifty bucks down the dollar slots and returned to my room to read in the bathtub.

Last year my girlfriend Vicki came up to accompany me to the banquet. Our busy schedule that weekend kept us from setting foot in the casino and thus there wasn’t an opportunity for me to prove that Newcomb’s law existed. Vicki took a couple of days off from work last week so that we could spend a day at Mohegan Sun just for fun.

Thursday night we walked down to do some gambling and ran into some NASCAR brass. Jerry Cook and Brett Bodine were talking to Carl Pasteryak, Tony and Matt Hirschman and a number of other folks outside the Discovery Channel store where the #48 championship car was on display. Brett has been hired by NASCAR to look at ways to make racing more affordable for the competitors and has some really exciting things on the horizon. Look for a future article where I delve into that in detail.

Shopgirl and I then ventured into the Casino of the Earth and headed for the slot machines. Vicki found a quarter slot game she wanted to play. I played a similar one nearby. I flushed twenty dollars through that machine faster than the #13 team does a three tire pit stop. Vicki took about ten minutes to play her twenty dollars into twenty-three and cashed out.

We were just about to leave the casino when a certain game caught Vicki’s eye. Even though it was a dollar slot machine, she had to play it. Vicki has a friend in Florida who had told her to be sure to play the “Wheel of Fortune” slots.

Once again I put twenty bucks into a similar machine near hers. I had just about flushed another twenty bucks down the drain when Vicki asked me, “Walt, is this real?” Shopgirl showed me a ticket that her machine had just presented her which read “Win $500.00”. I told her it was.

Vicki cashed out the rest of the money she had in that machine but before she had, the machine that I was playing flashed an indication to “Call an attendant”. Moments later a gentleman in a purple blazer whipped out over seven hundred dollars and counted it into my hand, so much for Newcomb’s luck. I put eighty dollars more into that same machine between Thursday night and Friday morning which yielded a little more than four hundred dollars more. I quit while I was ahead.

In addition to the exciting gaming, we also enjoyed the restaurants and shops that Mohegan has to offer. Everywhere we went on Friday we ran into more and more people who were happy to see us. Bill & Barbara Kilts, Bill & Mary Brice and Beth Caron met us at Summer Beach after we had downed a memorable lunch.

We saw Fred Neergaard and his entourage from New Hampshire International Speedway by the championship cars. He ribbed me that I hadn’t bought a necklace that caught Vicki’s eye earlier. We went back to the Odysea shop and found a necklace with matching earrings which I quickly bought so that we could leave before the whole store became part of the shopping list.

We got down to the ballroom right as the banquet was about to start. A little bird had told me that this was going to be a long night. I was also told that there would be additional entertainment. Our nationally recognized drumbeater for the Modified Tour, Mike Joy stepped up to the stage to get things started.

NASCAR had enlisted Jimmy Travis to spice up the evening. Jimmy was funny, sang a couple of songs and was NASCAR clean. His content was far more relatable to our sport than anything Jay Mohr will ever be able to generate. I wouldn’t be surprised if Travis winds up being part of the entertainment at the Cup banquet next season.

NASCAR had Steve Park, Geoff & Brett Bodine and Jerry Cook on hand to present awards. In addition to those special guests, we were treated to greetings from NBC’s Brian Williams and NASCAR President Mike Helton. Joy told us that these were “via satellite”. They were well produced pieces and Brian did his from his NBC Nightly News desk.

Kudos to Phil Kurze, Director of Motorsports for Whelen Engineering for presenting the Top-10 competitors of the WMT with jackets that indicate said accomplishment. There is no telling how far the union between the Modified Tour and Whelen will take our sport. One thing is certain; Both Whelen and the Modified Tour are blessed to have Phil Kurze as a part of their families.

The “Len Boehler” Award is given annually by the Boehler family to recognize achievement as a car owner. Past recipients of this award include Art Barry, Ralph Solhem and Walter Cole. Len’s son Michael presented this year’s award to Tony Ferrante, Sr. Although he was quite deserving of this award, Tony was taken by it and reminded us that Lenny showed us we could be successful without the big bucks.

The Featherlite “Most Improved Driver Award” was presented for the first time. John Blewett, III earned the inaugural trophy. Bill Cotrofeld from Featherlite Trailers presented the award and Brian Danko accepted it on behalf of Blewett. Apparently JB is recovering from surgery.

Dave Etheridge picked up the “POWERade Award”. The “NASCAR Driver Achievement Award” created the most awkward moment of the evening. Bill Brice, Sr. announced that the winner was Steve Whitt and although the music played on, no one approached the stage for over a minute. An associate of Steve’s finally stepped forward to accept the award as apparently Whitt had left the room when nature called.

The “Budweiser Pole Award” went to Tony Hirschman. The trophy was presented to Tony by Brett Bodine. Hirschman commented in his acceptance that something ought to be done with the re-draw because although he had won the most poles, he never seemed to start from there.

At last year’s banquet, shortly after accepting his father’s second consecutive “Most Popular Driver Award”, Tom Baldwin, Jr. announced the “Tom Baldwin Award”. Many among the media vermin, including myself, had second and third thoughts about the way that the award was determined from race to race throughout the season. Ted Christopher was presented with the trophy by NASCAR Director of Regional Racing Development, Don Hawk. Although the format might have irked us, without a doubt Ted was the driver most deserving of this award.

In addition to presenting Don Hawk spoke of the future. Most of us thought that would mean that the 2006 schedule would be announced. Don told us that this season NASCAR will under promise and over deliver.

Although he had some encouraging words, it won’t be difficult for Hawk to keep his word. Little if anything was promised. No schedule to be released might have been a good thing. Sometimes it is necessary to keep flexibility in the schedule when television contracts are being negotiated.

The NASCAR “Dedication Award” was presented by NASCAR Competition Administrator and Modified Legend, Jerry Cook. The award was bestowed upon Tony Ferrante, Jr. & Sr. It was great to see both of them together and as proud of one another as could be.

A big cheer went up for the NASCAR “Sportsmanship Award”. Jake Marosz was presented the award by NASCAR Manager of Communications for the Weekly Series & Touring, Jeremy Davidson. Jake did a great job accepting his award and was brought back to the podium by Mike Joy. Mike announced that there would be three barrels of Sunoco Racing Gasoline in Jake’s stocking from New England Racing Fuel as an added benefit to the award.

The “Sunoco Rookie-of-the-Year Award” went to Tyler Haydt. John Holland of New England Racing Fuel presented the trophy. Tyler was polished in his acceptance and demonstrated that he has the potential to be a sponsor’s dream.

The kid who used to interview me when he was fourteen years old at Riverhead Raceway then took to the stage. Speed51’s Bob Dillner presented the “Speed51 Most Popular Driver Award” to Tony Hirschman. Tony was visibly moved and related to the effect that this was perhaps the most satisfying award he would receive. He said, “This is the highlight of my night.” Bob was electricity personified in his presentation.

Beth Caron presented the “Smiley Waterman & Donna Parks Awards” on behalf of the Modified Auxiliary. Past winners of these awards include Bill & Mary Brice, Bob Polverari & Janice Boehler and Howie & Mary Hodge. These awards are supposed to be a surprise…and they were.

I was totally taken off guard when Beth announced my name. In my acceptance I must have made Forrest Gump look like the champion of the debating team at Harvard. I stammered through telling those present that this was a shock. I was surprised to remember a Jimmy Waterman anecdote and told everyone that I felt kind of the way “The Old Man” (Tom Baldwin) did when he was presented his first Most Popular Driver Award two years ago…speechless. I will elaborate more on this at the end of this story.

Beth then presented Jeri Duefrene with the “Donna Parks Award”. Jeri, as I have mentioned in the past, is one of the hardest working NASCAR officials we are blessed to have associated with the Tour. Jeri always seems to want to reflect the spotlight on everyone else when it shines on her. It would have been nice to be able to hear what she had to say but I was still in shock.

Of note from the Top-5 driver’s acceptance speeches; Fifth place finisher Eric Beers wants to keep the championship trophy on the same street in Northampton, PA next season. Albeit that he would like to move it about a mile down the road.

Fourth place finisher Jerry Marquis thanked the media for the “Sonny “King” Richards Award”. Both Eric and Jerry are optimistic about the upcoming season. These two drivers earned Top-5 points finishes and were victorious in their debut seasons with their teams. One would think that both of these combinations will be potent contenders for the title next year.

Chuck Hossfeld remains one of the most polished public speakers of all the WMT competitors. In accepting his third place award, Chuck expressed his gratitude that he has had the opportunity to campaign in some of the Tour’s best rides. He will drive the #79 for the Hillbilly Racing Team next season.

Ted Christopher led the point standings for a good part of the season and was arguably a favorite to win the championship going into the season finale. Ted like the others competitors thanked his crew and all of his sponsors. His biggest thanks went to Jerry Cook.

Ted has dreamed of competing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona for a long time. Cook has approached Christopher with contacts nearly every year but most of these teams were interested in a driver that would bring a boatload of money to the dance. This year Jerry’s contact asked Ted to test for them and Christopher earned a spot on the team with his right foot. I know that Ted Christopher is ready for Daytona. The question will be whether the sports car crowd is ready for Ted Christopher. Good luck Ted, we are all very proud to see this dream come true for you.

The championship team was recognized. And yes…no one forgot the tire guy…Steve…or is it Harry? Dan Anderson from Hoosier presented the championship jacket to Tony Hirschman. Hey Harry, shouldn’t Steve or Harry get that?

NASCAR VP of Corporate Communications, Jim Hunter presented Hirschman with his championship diamond ring. This ring is arguably as beautiful, gaudy and as expensive as any Super Bowl ring. I have to warn Tony that this ring shouldn’t be worn during competition. First off, most racing gloves will not fit over it. Secondly, a driver wearing a ring that large is likely to violate the left-side weight percentage rule. Bling Bling!!

Steve Park presented the “WMT Champion Crew Chief Award”. Once again, the award was shared by co-crew chiefs Frank Gaspar and Matt Hirschman. We found out that Frank actually talks and does a pretty good job at that too. Matt is a future star in NASCAR regardless of whether he sits behind the wheel or chooses to turn wrenches.

Geoff Bodine presented the “WMT Championship Car Owner’s Award” to the Kehleys. Tom and Bob Kehley aren’t just champion car owners. They are high class people. They made sure their primary sponsor Howard Katz from Kamco Supply and engine builder Bob Bruneau received championship trophies as well.

Geoff also invited Tony to come up to Lake Placid and ride in one of the Bo-Dyn bobsleds. We all know that Geoff has been an integral part of bringing the United States bobsled team its’ success. Whelen Engineering has been a major partner in that program and everyone is invited to the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Challenge.

The Bo-Dyn Bobsled Challenge will be January 5-7, 2006 at the Verizon Sports Complex in Lake Placid, NY. Over ten NASCAR drivers, including Geoff Bodine, 2005 Nextel Cup Champion, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Todd Bodine, Boris Said and Ken Schrader have signed up to participate in this event. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, which provides American-made bobsleds to the U.S. Bobsled Teams free of cost. [www.geoffbodinefanclub.com] Who knows? Maybe some of the lucky guests will get a chance to go for a ride in a Whelen / Bo-Dyn bobsled!

Let me explain my loss of words. Sometimes it takes me a few minutes to figure out what I would like to say. That’s why I write and why I do not announce.

Jimmy “Smiley” Waterman was a great official and a better person. As I said at the banquet, no one misses Smiley more than a crew chief who would like to sneak their car across the scales a couple of pounds light. Does anyone remember Jimmy’s wave?

1998 in Martinsville, the Baldwin machine went across the scales a little light. Our crew chief had figured out that if we were legal that we would have enough fuel to at least get to lap 125. Smiley waved us across. I’m sorry I have to tattletale on Jimmy, we got what we deserved. When the numbers were added later, our car was over seventy pounds light and we ran out of gas on the track under green.

By the time we got the car going again we had fallen from a contender to win to eight laps down with no hope of a good finish. Smiley must have seen us trying to hide the gasoline we planned on adding to bring the car up to legal weight. That’s how an official can teach a lesson. We miss you Smiley.

This is the most prestigious award I have ever received. Previous winners of the Smiley Waterman award are some of the men that I hold in the highest esteem. I promise not to let this go to my head. I will proudly put this trophy up on the shelf between my “Cady” and the empty space on the other side.

There are many people that I need to thank. First off, I want to tell everyone that I voted for Reverend Pat Evans to receive the Smiley Waterman award. I feel that over the course of the time that I have been affiliated with the Tour no one person who wasn’t an active member of a team or a NASCAR Official has had a greater impact on the competitors and fans of the Tour than Reverend Pat. Thanks to Reverends Don and Dan for keeping his memory alive.

Thanks to all of the members of the Auxiliary that voted for me. I would especially like to thank my former crew chief, Jerry Moran. Apparently he started the ball rolling by joining the Auxiliary for the sole purpose of casting a vote for me.

Former Riverhead Raceway announcer, Mike Calinoff got me started in this writing gig and thanks to him and our dear friend, the late Lou Cady I got the opportunity to write for this site. Thanks to Amie Campbell for bringing MSS into the twenty-first century. Thanks to Howie and Mary for their wonderful pictures which keep everyone coming back, even when there hasn’t been a new story posted for a while.

Thanks to Norm and Linda Case who have provided the funds to maintain the ModSeriesScene.com site. Thanks to all of the track owners and their public relation staffs, especially Fred Neergaard, Dale Wolbrink, Mike Smith, Bob Finan and Scott Running. Without these people’s assistance, it would be impossible for us to do what we have done.

Thanks to NASCAR and all of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour officials especially Ed Cox, Joe Larsen and Mark Mockovac. Thanks to Phil Kurze and his staff at Whelen Engineering. Thanks to all of the competitors, especially the car owners, without you we would have no racing.

Thanks to the fans for looking us up for live updates and reading our stories. Thanks to everyone who drops me a line from time to time. Thank to all of the folks who participate on the MSS Message Forum.

Thanks to my fellow MSS contributor Polly Reid and all of my fellow media associates like Shawn Courchesne, Dave & Hazel Meredith, Mike Twist, Mike Fields, Bruce Boucher, Ricky Miller, Pete Zanardi, Val LeSieur, Phil Smith, Bones Bourcier, Linda Pierce and so many others who make me strive to be a better writer.

Thanks to everyone who helped us with the live updates this year including Amie, Bruce Boucher, Shawn Courchesne, Jaws, CTGoldy, Jackie Ziegler, ThE sHaDoW and anyone else who pitched in. I phoned in most of the updates this season. We were glad to bring the updates to everyone who wanted to see them and will strive to do better with the whole program next year.

My girlfriend Vicki had to try to sort through the garbled (expletive deleted) I fed her over the sound of roaring engines to get the updates posted. Shopgirl deserves a trophy three times the size of the one I received just for putting up with me. I love her to death and it was tough dropping her off for her flight home Sunday afternoon. Vicki has been the reason I have continued to write even when things haven’t look very promising. Thank you baby, you’re my everything.

Most of all I have to thank Tom Baldwin. Hanging around with that guy created half the stuff I wrote early on. It felt like this whole thing happened because of him. Steve Halpin, Tommy’s spotter, thought so too. I hope TB got a good laugh out of my acceptance speech or lack thereof. He’s still laughing at me. I think he said something about a deer in the headlights.

I’d like to offer my prayers and hopes for a happy, healthy and fruitful New Year for all who read this. A Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it with us and Happy Holidays to those who don’t. I will try to write something periodically over the winter to put up on the front page. Thanks for humoring me and reading along.