Texas Speedzone - Texas Pro Sedans hold 2008 Awards Dinner

TPS Holds 2008 Awards Dinner

From:
Neil Upchurch
Race & Admin Director
c/o 3222 Leyte Drive
San Antonio, TX.78217-4018
210/ 655-3222 Phone & Fax
210/ 365-3221 Cell Phone

The 2008 Texas Pro Sedans Series annual Awards Dinner was held at Earl Abel’s Restaurant in San Antonio on Saturday night, November 8. A private dining room full of 62 Texas Pro Sedans drivers and their families, crew members, sponsors, TPS officials, TPS guests and fans attended the season ending event.

During the Awards Dinner, the 2008 Texas Pro Sedans Champion Sergio Hexsel of Live Oak, Texas, received his third TPS Champions Plaque. His 2008 Champions Plaque was presented by TPS Race Director Neil Upchurch. In his acceptance remarks, Hexsel sincerely thanked his wife and car owner, Andrea Hexsel, his Crew Chief, Don Dewees and the #20 VW Rabbit crew and sponsors for their support.

The 2008 Texas Pro Sedans “Rookie of the Year” Bob Sherland of San Antonio was presented with the TPS Rookie Plaque by the 2007 TPS “Rookie Runner Up”, Mike Merrell. Sherland delivered acceptance remarks and thanked his crew which included his father Cotton Sherland and Crew Chief and brother Bill Sherland, his wife Lorie Sherland and a large contingent of his #3 VW Rabbit crew and supporters.

Sergio Hexsel, Bob Sherland and Lisa Sandoval, who was the “2008 Rookie Runner Up” also received embroidered Hoosier racing jackets. The jackets were sent to the TPS Awards Dinner by TPS sponsor Tom Lorenz, President of Hoosier Racing Tires Southwest in Mesquite, Texas.

Texas Pro Sedans Race and Administrative Director, Neil Upchurch presented a narrative summary recalling the 2008, 33rd consecutive TPS racing season. He thanked Mary Ann and H.E. Naumann of Thunderhill Raceway and Charles Turner, Mike Nowels and Mike Cooper of Red River Speedway for hosting a total of eleven 2008 TPS races. In expressing TPS’s appreciation to Red River Speedway, Upchurch reported that a TPS Appreciation Plaque was presented to RRS on October 18 at the TPS drivers meeting.

Mary Ann Naumann of Thunderhill Raceway spoke and delivered interesting and relevant remarks. She discussed highly competitive TPS races at THR during past racing seasons and her plans at THR. She said that the Texas Pro Sedans have been invited to race six times at Thunderhill Raceway during the 2009 season and displayed the contract with TPS which was signed before the awards presentations. Neil Upchurch presented Naumann with an appreciation plaque to Thunderhill Raceway for the 2008 racing season.

TPS Driver, Bruce Mabrito delivered his annual cleverly written Texas Pro Sedan 2008 post season ode. Mabrito recognized several former TPS Champions. Mabrito’ s presentation will be posted on www.TexasProSedans.com

Several Texas Pro Sedans sponsors, race officials and members received Appreciation Awards. They included, retiring TPS Weight Inspector Bill Jordan who received an award for his years of service to TIDA-LM and TPS racing. Randy Larsen sent cash awards to TPS drivers, Sergio Hexsel, Lalo Leal, Lisa Sandoval, Mike Knotts, Mike Merrill and Bruce Mabrito for 100% participation during the 2008 season. TPS sponsors Richard and Bea Villanueva and Nelson Skinner were presented with sponsor appreciation plaques and gift bags . Special Service Appreciation Awards were presented to scales technicians Lanny Masson and Charlie White. David Wright of Wichita Falls was sent a sponsor coordinator award in appreciation of his 2008 support and service to the Texas Pro Sedans. Retiring THR Chief Scorer Kathy Tiemann was presented will be an appreciation plaque for her years of service to TPS. The award was accepted by THR’s David Mackey.

TPS Charter Member Mike Knotts presented appreciation gifts to Neil Upchurch for his 33 years of TPS leadership.

Jack Foy, TPS Chief Inspector during 2008, was promoted to the position of TPS Chief Steward effective in 2009. Upchurch said of Foy, “I am pleased to report that Jack Foy of Round Rock did an exceptional and intelligent job in his first year as a TPS race official”.

2009 TPS Rules and Specifications were distributed to all TPS members who attended. Upchurch announced that the rules would be U.S. mailed or e-mailed to all non attending TPS members.

With the large member participation at the TPS Awards Dinner, a proper finishing touch was put on the 2008, 33rd consecutive Texas Pro Sedans Series season, which initiate their 34th racing season in 2009.

Upchurch announced that the Texas Pro Sedan race schedule should be finalized and distributed in January.
The first TPS series race will be held at a track to be signed on a Saturday night late in March or early April of 2009. Four races will be held at Red River Speedway in Wichita Falls, Texas with six races scheduled to be contested at Thunderhill Raceway in Kyle, Texas. Two TPS races are to be negotiated with Corpus Christi Speedway owner, Michael Rhoads.