2002 MESA MARIN CHAMPIONS HONORED

Source: Mesa Marin Public Relations
Date: 12/11/2002

BAKERSFIELD, California -- Gary Elmore, Brandon Miller and Josh Horn were all honored for their respective 2002 NASCAR division championships at the Mesa Marin Raceway annual Championships Awards Banquet at Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace. Tehachapi High School was honored for their championship season, as well as the Bakersfield Parks and Recreation Departments for the Auto Club 911 championship and Ed Coffey’s Cal Spas Super TT Motorcycle championship.

After a great tasting lunch served by the Crystal Palace staff, Mesa Marin’s Marion Collins and NASCAR’s Mike Verlatti welcomed the over 400 drivers, team members, sponsors and family members who were in attendance. After the welcoming speeches, the award presentations started with the ChevronTexaco High School Racing Series video presentation of season highlights, followed by honoring each ChevronTexaco High School Racing Series team. North High School was presented for the second year with the Hall Ambulance Sportsmanship Award.

Bakersfield Parks and Recreation Department’s Bob Addison accepted the Auto Club 911 Race for Youth Series championship trophy and Ed Coffey, Rick Pearce and Ernie Lyles picked up their hardware for their Cal Spas Super TT Motorcycle season.

Brian Olsen of KUZZ radio presented cash awards to Gary Elmore, David Hutchins, and Steve McGowen accepting for Barry Bradshaw for the KUZZ Trophy Dash Awards, presented to the drivers with the most dash wins in 2003.

The annual Emporium Western Store Silver Buckle Awards were presented to Brandon Miller, Mike White and Josh Horn for winning the most main events in each of the respective divisions. Each driver was presented with a custom made silver belt buckle.

The drivers placing 2nd through 10th were honored on stage in the NASCAR Super Late Model, NASCAR Late Model and Street Stock series, followed by the Rookie-of-the-Year awards. Jason Patison scored the NASCAR Super Late Model Rookie-of-the-Year, while Eric Richardson and Darren Reed won the NASCAR Late Model and Street Stock honors.

Then it was time for the champions. 2003 NASCAR Street Stock champ Josh Horn was the first champion to be honored. Then it was the 2003 NASCAR Super Late Model champion Brandon Millers turn at the podium, and finally the 2003 NASCAR Late Model champ Gary Elmore.

Each championship team was brought onto the stage during their drivers presentation, video highlights of their championship seasons was presented, and then each champion was introduced and joined his team on stage. NASCAR’s Mike Verlatti presented the championship checks, Mesa Marin’s director of competition presented the championship jackets, Mesa Marin owner Marion Collins presented the champions their trophies and Jackie Despots of Uniglobe Travel awarded each champion a five day trip for two to the 2003 Daytona 500.

Mesa Marin’s 2003 season starts March 22 and 23 with the NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Series 200 and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series “Lucas Oil 250”.

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