The Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno, NV hosted the Westcar Late Model Series 2006 Championship Banquet, Saturday night, and honored series champion Shannon Mansch.
Mansch, of Roseville, CA, pocketed more than $4000 along with a six-foot trophy and commemorative jackets for her entire team.
“I don’t think anyone can dispute the talent she has and the true competitive ability,” said Jeff Macey, co-promoter with Phil Perry of the series. “I cannot harp how big that was to have the first female late model touring champion in history.”
Mansch was greeted by a standing ovation from the more than 100 in attendance.
“It was an awesome time and a great year,” Mansch said. “I really need to thank Westcar. They put in a lot of hard work. You guys are awesome.”
“I owe it to my crew,” Mansch said. “My dad traveled a lot of miles. Mike (her husband) put in a ton of time and took parts off of his own car to help me. I know where this money is going.”
Her awards went along with over $140,000 awarded to Westcar competitors in 2006 including $20,000 in awards at the banquet.
More than four dozen door and raffles prizes were given away from Long Engine Systems, Dave Gonzales of Matco Tools, Perry Racing, JME Motorsports, FRE, Five Star Bodies, and Competition Carburetion.
Modesto driver Randy Reeves was honored as the series Sportsman of the Year. Reeves finished seventh in the series standings and appeared at all events in 2006.
Reeves, like several other drivers in the series, expressed the importance of the series and several tabbed the year as the most memorable of their careers.
Craig Swim of Orangevale, CA was named series Rookie of the Year and series runner-up Gary Glenn of Orangevale, CA received a warm response from the attendees as well.
Westcar officials unveiled plans for 2007, which includes three firm dates at George Wade’s Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson, CA. Wade’s facility is well-known among Northern California racers as one of the best.
Wade has also offered a possibility of two more dates at the track.
Kenny Shepherd from Altamont Motorsports Park and Madera Speedway has verbally committed to dates at both race tracks.
Westcar has plans to increase its purse payouts, and is also in the process of creating a new open/compression motor that can compete with the GM crate engine at the same weight.
The series thanks its 2006 sponsors: Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno, Scott Performance Wires, Xbox, Five Star Bodies, Eagle Fitness of Reno/Carson, California Door and Frame, Sierra Racing Products, Circle Track Steering, Competition Carburetion, Jim Courage Pools, Fensler Racing, DPI, F.R.E., JME, John L. Sullivan, and Perry Racing.
The Westcar Series is online at www.westcarseries. com.
