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Photo by Steve Lamothe Photos
Stephen honored as champ at John Padjen Motorsports Awards Banquet
By Gary Thomas
Oroville, CA - November 25, 2007...Chico, California’s Stephen Allard was honored on stage for his 2007 Silver Dollar Speedway 410 track championship on Saturday night in the beautiful showroom at the Feather Falls Casino in Oroville. Over 250 people affiliated with various racing groups within the John Padjen Motorsports organization witnessed the event and the top 10 drivers in points from Silver Dollar & Placerville Speedway’s, as well as the Civil War Series were honored during the evening.
Stephen showed appreciation for everyone that supported himself and the 1m Racing team during the season. "I have to thank Skip Jones for bringing this car out for me to compete for a championship this season,” Stephen said. “Last season when I really had nothing going for me Skip brought this thing out of the cobwebs and allowed me to finish out the ‘06 season and it means a lot to me to be able to come out and win a championship this year. We don’t have the highest budget around, but we do the best with what we have and this is a testament to hard work and determination.”
During the Silver Dollar Speedway season Stephen and 1m Racing competed in all 18 events and picked up three victories along the way, including 11 top five finishes, 12 top ten’s and five heat race wins. “I have to thank my whole crew who did an absolutely phenomenal job this season. This 1m Racing sprint car was fast at every race and it was a great feeling to know the car was going to be under me every time I hit the race track,” the 34 year-old commented. “I also have to thank all our great sponsors who support this team and this championship wouldn’t be possible without each and every one of them.”
The Silver Dollar Speedway season saw one its most competitive in recent memory and Stephen won the 410 title by an official count of 65 points over Oroville driver Sean Becker. Stephen spoke about the various drivers that ran in Chico this year and showed much respect for all of them. “It’s a pleasure to be able to run against so many great competitors every week. Sean Becker is a great person and an awesome driver to run against. I remember going up to Placerville one time and helping him out many years ago and to be running neck and neck with him every week now is pretty cool,” Stephen said into Troy Hennig's microphone. He continued, “It’s also great to have a guy like Andy Gregg run in Chico every week and it’s awesome to have Bill Bell and Brett Miller involved in sprint car racing and I know Brett will be a driver to look out for in years to come. I just have to thank everybody who ran in Chico this year and we’re blessed to have so many great people involved in our sport in Northern California,” Stephen concluded.
It was a fun night for all and we have to thank Feather Falls Casino and John Padjen Motorsports for providing a top notch venue to hold the ceremony. On Monday Stephen will celebrate his 35th birthday and following that his attention will be focused on the 2008 season. Continue checking http://www.stephenallard.com for updates during the off-season.
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Photo by Johns Racing Photos
www.sprintcarchallengetour.com
www.placervillespeedway.com
www.stocktondirttrack.com
www.thunderbowlraceway.com
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