Evan J Smith

NMCA Rewards Championship Drivers at the 15th Annual Awards Ceremony

One of the highlights of any successful racing season is being recognized by the sanctioning body and by your peers. That’s why each year, National Muscle Car Association (NMCA), along with the sister organization NMRA (National Mustang Racers Association), crowns its champions with a first-class racer awards ceremony that takes place in Indy along side the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) show in December.

Brett Kepner

This year, NMCA presented its champions and special award winners with a gala event, as a capacity crowd applauded those deserving drivers and team members. Emcee and renowned drag racing announcer Brett Kepner entertained the audience with interesting facts and information about the series and its racers. NMCA also hosted a few industry guest speakers and there were nicely produced videos shown on the twin giant screens.

Finishing at the top is no easy feat, and NMCA racers fight through multiple rounds during the six-race series, earning points that culminate with championships in the 12 points-earning classes. Each champion walks away with a beautiful Nitto diamond drag racing ring and a heavyweight “Victor” NMCA trophy named after Vic Edelbrock, Jr. And I say heavyweight, because each one weighs roughly 25 pounds!

“We had over 500 people turnout for our awards ceremony,” said Steve Wolcott, NMCA president and CEO. “I was thrilled, as this level of participation demonstrates the passion and enthusiasm for NMCA drag racing and it’s a pure indicator of what’s to come next year. I congratulate all our champions and award winners and look forward to seeing everyone in Bradenton in March.” In addition to the top 12 class winners, NMCA presents yearly awards for Driver of the Year, Crew Member of the Year, Sportsman of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, and Signature Awards for Outstanding Sportsmanship, for multiple deserving individuals.

Ultimately, the ceremony gives NMCA, along with racers, sponsors and media a chance to catch up away from the race track, to talk about the season and discuss what’s planned for the following year. And holding the ceremony each Friday evening of the PRI show makes it convenient, since many folks are in town for the show. As you probably know, for 2017, there will be another champion on stage, as NMCA will formerly announce its new Stock/Super Stock class in the coming days.

NMCA Annual Awards Ceremony

2016 NMCA Champions and Award Winners
Extreme Pro Mod—Tim Savell
Radial Wars—DeWayne Mills
Street Outlaw—Jacky McCarty
Factory Super Cars—Kevin Skinner
Nitrous Pro Street—Joe Bucaro
Extreme Street—Eric Kenward
NA 10.5—Mike DeMayo Jr.
Chevrolet Performance Stock—Glenn Pushis
Top Sportsman—Shawn Morrow
NSS—D.W.Hopkins
NMC—Andy Warren
OC—Chuck Hockenberry

Special Awards: Driver Of The Year NOMINEES
Dwight Ausmus
Randy Adler
Daniel Pharris

Driver of the Year Winner:
Dwight Ausmus

Special Awards: Crew Member Of The Year NOMINEES
Tim Davis
Mike Bankston
Daniel Knapp

Crew Member of the Year Winner:
Mike Bankston

Special Awards: Sportsman Of The Year NOMINEES
Glenn Pushis
Jeff Rudolf
Chuck Watson, Sr.

Sportsman of the Year Winner:
Chuck Watson, Sr.

Special Awards: Ambassador Of The Year NOMINEES
Tyler Crossnoe
Kevin Lumsden
Donnie Edmonds

Ambassador of the Year Winner:
Tyler Crossnoe

Signature Awards for Outstanding Sportsmanship
Brad Medlock
Josh Ledford
Rob Adler
Matt Keiser
Jim Johnson
Craig Sullivan
Dina Parise
Dionne Lumsden

Photography by Evan J. Smith