CHRIS JAGGERS SCORES RACER OF THE YEAR

Hundreds of attendees paid tribute to the 2008 Track Champions at the 40th Anniversary Awards Banquet this past Saturday evening. Held in the Ballroom of the DoubleTree Riverside in Boise, the Banquet brought to a close one of the biggest racing seasons on record.

The evening was packed with awards, which included upwards of $15,000 in cash and prizes from Boise Muffler & Spangler Bros. Auto Body in the Gold Cup Championships (in addition to the Woody’s Snow/Bike and Meadow Gold Junior Series). Likewise, the High School Series presented by the United Dairymen of Idaho, Western States/CAT and the U.S. Army; Lyle Pearson Acura Import Survival Series; and the Fairly Reliable Bob's/Taco Bell Club Series were acknowledged during the evening. Additionally, the top three finishing students received merchandise thanks to Pecht Family Farms, Western States/CAT and K & N Filters.

New this year, each of the Track Champions were invited to place their championship winning cars inside the lobby and ballroom for the evening. Additonally, the historic Rowdy “3 `56 Chevy of Scott Downard was featured, too, to help commemorate the closing of Firebird’s 40th Anniversary Season.

Voted on by his piers, Chris Jaggers was chosen as Bracket Racer of the Year. Jaggers also won this year’s hotly contested Super Pro Track Championship. Sweeping honors for "Lady Driver of the Year" was Lisa Thomas, Meridian, leader of the Naughty Girls club and Pro bracket competitor.

One of the highlights of the evening was the 22nd presentation of the Racemaster award. Carl Downard and Lloyd Taylor, both of Boise, were acknowledged for this very special Firebird Hall of Fame type award. Both racers have been competing and attending Firebird racing events dating back to when the track first opened four decades ago.

2007 Track Champions:

Super Pro: Chris Jaggers, Middleton
Pro: Larry Hale, Buhl
Sportsman: Troy McDonald, Boise
Pro Snow/Bike: Jacob Wood, Eagle
Junior Lightning: Krystal Busby, Meridian
Junior Thunder: Andrew Clark, Kuna
High School Teams: Meridian High (AAA) and Kuna High (AA)
High School – Individual: Jason Thomas, Meridian
Alumni: Tim Shaw, Boise
Import Survival: Aaron McCoy, Boise
Street Bike: Josh Redmon, Boise
Outlaw Street: Joseph Karnes, Eagle
Street Truck: Ryan Resinkin, Emmett
Nostalgia: John Smith, Ontario, Ore.
Club Champions: Melba Outlaws (Silver Cup), Hot Shots (Bronze Cup), and Stateline (Copper Cup)

Year-end special awards:

Rising Star— Andrew Clark, Kuna
Top Rookie—Jason Thomas, Meridian
Best Appearing Race Car—Jackie Alley, Eagle
Outstanding Perseverance—Ken Windley, Caldwell
Goodgals `07—Tami Shaffer, Boise, and Nanette Cox, Weiser
Outstanding Crew—Middleton Crew, Middleton
Most Improved Driver—Steve Reynolds, Nampa
Staff Recipient—Vicki Dickinson, Star
Official Recipient—Brandi Shoemaker, Nampa
Lady Driver of the Year— Lisa Thomas, Meridian
Bracket Racer of the Year—Chris Jaggers, Middleton
2007Racemasters—Carl Downard and Lloyd Taylor, both of Boise