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September 2008
West Carrollton off Friday
A scheduling quirk gave West Carrollton High School’s football team a night off for Friday, Oct. 3. West Carrollton was scheduled play this weekend at Indianapolis Arlington in Indiana.
Here’s what happened: When the teams played in 2007, Indiana started its season a week earlier than Ohio. That meant West Carrollton had the game listed for its Week 7. Indiana had it scheduled for its Week 8. In 2008, Indiana and Ohio started the season the same week. That meant the two teams were a week apart on this year’s schedule: West Carrollton listing the game for Week 7 (Oct. 3) and Arlington for Week 8 (Oct. 10).
West Carrollton athletic director Jon Payne said the problem was discovered before the season started, but he couldn’t find a suitable replacement. Payne said his best option wasn’t an option at all: Indianapolis Cathedral, Indiana’s 4A state champion in 2007. Payne said Cin. Aiken will take Arlington’s place in Week 7 for both 2009 and 2010.
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Jr. Dragster Super Series Champions named…
Beavercreek junior dragster driver EDMOND ELLISON was officially named the overall champion of the inaugural JEG’S OHIO JUNIOR DRAGSTER SUPER SERIES on Monday, Sept. 22.
Ellison, who raced in the 10-12 year old division, had to defeat Trenton driver KENNY CARSON JR. to earn the right to represent the division in the overall championship run-offs. Ellison defeated 13-14 division winner MIKE MORRIS, of Dayton, in the final, and won a $1,000 savings bond. Morris took home a $500 bond for his efforts.
The first-ever series held a total of six Junior Dragster events at Ross Township’s Tri-State Dragway, just outside Hamilton; Kil-Kare Dragway in Xenia; National Trail Raceway in Columbus; Pacemaker’s Dragway in Mount Vernon and Edgewater Sports Park in Cleves, just outside Cincinnati.
More than 80 cars were entered in the JEG’s Ohio Jr. Dragster Super Series this season.
Overall Points Series winners for their respective age groups were: 8-9 Year Olds: Marissa Babb, Xenia 10-12 Year Olds: Ellison, Beavercreek 13-14 Year Olds: Morris, Dayton 15-17 Year Olds: Olivia Voges, Erlanger, Ky.
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JEG’s ProMod Challenge announces Engel Award
In recognition of Shandon, Ohio driver Steve Engel, who recently succumbed to injuries he sustained in a drag racing accident at a ProMod Challenge event during the 54th U.S. Nationals, held at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, an annual award has been created in his honor.
According to a Wednesday, Sept. 17 press release sent out by sponsor JEG’s automotive, the ‘Steve Engel Big Man, Big Heart Award’ will be given each year to the Pro Modified drag racing driver “who best exemplifies Engel’s gregarious spirit and generous nature.”
Engel, 49, of Shandon was critically injured during the U.S. Nationals when his Corvette drag racer went out of control after a run and hit nearly head-on into a retaining wall. While doctors originally gave Engel a full prognosis for recovery, Engel passed away Sunday after complications from a second surgery he underwent on Friday, Sept. 12th.
Renowned artist and Rahal-Letterman Racing team fabricator Dan Dreisbach has been asked to create the Engel Trophy. A $10,000 cash prize will given to the recipient each year starting with the 2008 National Hot Rod Association Pro Modified division season.
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Reitenour selected to NASCAR diversity program
Miamisburg stock car driver (and high school senior) Megan Reitenour learned on Friday that she’s been accepted to participate in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program Combine which will be held in October at South Boston Speedway in South Boston, Va. An exact date wasn’t provided in the press release. The program is designed to bring more diversity to the sport of NASCAR racing, and is geared toward minorities and females who are interested in being a part of the sport. Reitenour and 23 other drivers were selected from a field of 200. Ten drivers will then be selected to be in the program after the combine. “I’m so excited and feel fortunate in being given this opportunity,” Reitenour said. “It was news that I have been waiting for some time and it was sure worth the wait. I will do the best I can and hopefully something comes from it. I’m looking forward to the challenge. I think it will be a great experience for me and is certainly a step in the right direction for my career.” According to the release, “drivers will be evaluated on their on-track performance and off-track interactions with team owners and media.” Megan’s the best at notifying me of the various goings on in her career, I’m sure the “dealing with the media” part of her evaluation will be cinch.
