Leigh Thomas Crowned First UMSS Champion At Inaugural Banquet
Burnsville, MN
By: Greg Parent (1-23-10)
The upstart Upper Midwest Sprintcar Series (UMSS) held its inaugural banquet at Pro Kart Indoors in Burnsville, Minnesota on Saturday evening January 23. Earning the honor of being crowned the first-ever champion of this new 360 sprint car group was Leigh Thomas from Duluth. The banquet combined a dinner, awards presentation, and then was followed by several sessions of go-kart racing at the indoor facility featuring the "Beat The Pros" theme. Many of those in attendance participated in the go-kart racing action to round out a very enjoyable evening.
UMSS President, Ron Berhagen, held a meeting before the banquet began to discuss some rules for the upcoming 2010 season along with several other items. Ron was joined by Bob Allen from Arlington Raceway and IMCA to discuss a joint effort between the two groups for several races in 2010.
Following dinner, the UMSS honored its top drivers and champion during the awards ceremony. Ron Bernhagen thanked the drivers, car owners, crew members, families, fans, track promoters and series sponsors for their participation and support of the new organization in its first year. Appreciation awards were presented to several in attendance. Champion Leigh Thomas received a jacket and some contingency money from Hoosier Tire, a cash bonus from GRP Motorsports, and two trophies. One trophy will be Leigh's permanent first place trophy to keep while the other trophy is the Barry Kettering Memorial Trophy honoring a fallen champion and sprint car racing hero from years past. The Kettering Memorial trophy will be a travelling UMSS champions trophy with Leigh Thomas the first name engraved on the plate. As Leigh Thomas accepted the top honors, he stated that "twenty years of intense passion for sprint car racing and a lot of blood, sweat and tears have finally paid off tonight. It is an honor to be the first champion of this series."
Finishing in second place through fifth place in the final point standings and also receiving trophies along with some contingency money from Hoosier Tire were Jerry Richert, Jr, Cody Hahn, Joseph Kouba, and Kevin Nickel. Cody Hahn also earned the GRP Motorsports UMSS Rookie of the Year honors including a trophy and cash prize. Cody's good fortune prevailed in the door prize drawing as well when he won a new front nose wing donated by Lev Enterprises from Jackson. The first UMSS Sportsmanship Award was presented by GRP Motorsports to Greg Gunderson from Sioux Falls, SD. Several product discount certificates were also presented to the top ten in the point standings.
With the first season in the books and a foundation laid to build upon, the outlook for 2010 for the UMSS is positive. Ron Bernhagen reported that he knows of several new drivers and car owners who have either acquired a sprint car or are in the process of doing so. Ron also indicated that a few drivers who suffered some misfortune in the early to middle stages of last season will be back out again. The UMSS is looking forward to another successful season in 2010, as the group will be expanding its schedule. To view the tentative schedule for 2010 or obtain more information on the UMSS, please visit our website at www.umsprints.com.
