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| February 22, 2009 News |
| EKN Awards 2008: Driver of the Year - Michael Vincec |
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 | Driver of the Year - Michael Vincec
(Photo: Cody Schindel - Autosports Media) |
The final honor to be handed out to wrap up the eKartingNews.com Awards Week is the prestigious Driver of the Year award. Eight drivers already have their name etched in history as the top driver from their respective year and Gary Carlton is the only person to win the award on two occasions, being honored on consecutive years. For 2008, there was only one driver who put together the complete package of on-track performance, off-track professionalism, and an all-around positive personality that promotes the sport of karting. That name would be Michael Vincec.
The Cameron Motorsports/CRG driver began the karting season working around his Skip Barber Regional program schedule, which he had earned from his performance in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship in 2007. Despite missing one round, Vincec placed fifth in the championship with three podium finishes.
Once the Stars of Karting season began at the Ocala Gran Prix for the opening round of the Eastern Division, Vincec put his name into the championship mix with a solid effort in the rain-hindered event. His first podium came in the opening race with a third place run and he then followed it up with another top-five finish. Traveling out to Miller Motorsports Park in Utah for the Western Division opener, the weekend was not his most solid effort of the year despite earning the pole position for the main events. Vincec fell back to fifth in the opening race, while a turn-one incident in the second race put Vincec on the sidelines.
Things turned around at the Mazda Race of the Americas at the New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana when Vincec would battle former Driver of the Year Alex Speed and former EKN Driver Rankings number one pilot David Jurca. Vincec bested both in the opening race to earn his biggest Stars victory of his career. They again battled in the second race with Vincec coming across in the third position. The results put him in the championship lead for both the East and West divisions heading into the finales.
First up was the third round of the Eastern schedule at the USA International Raceway in Wisconsin. Finishing behind two-time defending champion Gary Carlton in both finals, Vincec runner-up results earned Vincec the East title. Traveling West for the Seattle Grand Prix, Vincec ran fourth and second to tie for the division title with fellow Canadian Jordy Vorrath, however, Vincec’s Race of the Americas win earned him the crown.
At the National Finals in Las Vegas, Vincec continued to run up front and went on to finish third in both finals. The season long streak of top-five finishes helped Vincec end the season with the National Championship, the first for a Canadian driver in the ICC category. Vincec ended the season at the SKUSA SuperNationals XII with a fifth place podium finish from a 10th starting spot on SuperSunday.
In addition to his results on the North American front, Vincec contended the KZ2 European Championship last season. Showing consistent speed but battling mechanical issues, Vincec ended the season 12th in the championship standings with points earned at each of the three events.
EKN would like to congratulate Michael on a successful 2008 season and the honor of the Driver of the Year award. To discuss the EKN Awards 2008, please visit the Official Discussion Thread and also visit the Official Awards Page.
Former Driver of the Year Winners
2007 - Gary Carlton
2006 - Gary Carlton
2005 - Alex Speed
2004 - Bobby Wilson
2003 - Alan Sciuto
2002 - Ron White
2001 - Scott Speed
2000 - Kyle Martin
1999 - Darren Elliott |
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