MIS Banquet Honors the Legends

Andy Jones Takes Home Legends Championship

by John Wells

Andy Jones of Gurnee, Illinois, picked up his second straight track championship at Madison International Speedway in the Pellitteri Waste Systems Legends division.  Jones received his award at the annual MIS Banquet on November 3rd held at Banushi’s Bar and Grill in Stoughton.

Jones finished the season with 1262 points fueled by a division high six feature wins.  Consistency paid off for him as he finished in the top five in ten out of eleven races and picked up a division high six feature wins.  The second generation driver now has a total of thirteen career wins at MIS putting him second in the all-time Legends standings.  Jones also earned nine checkered flags in qualifying races and set fast time on three occasions.

“It was a great season and being able to win back to back championships means a lot to me.  I really have to thank my family and the Griffins for giving me the chance to race,” said Jones who is considering several exciting racing options for the 2013 season.  “Racing the Legends car will prepare me for whatever I race in the future.”

Cory Talaska of Campbellsport, Wisconsin, finished in the runner-up position for the second year with 1245 points which included two feature wins, eight qualifying race wins, and a division high six fast times.

Green Oaks, Illinois, driver Kevin Griffin was the third place finisher in the division with 1036 points.  Griffin notched one feature win in the 2012 season and garnered eight top five finishes in his eleven starts.

“Two years ago I ran my first race at Madison and was hooked.  It is the most fun I’ve ever had and I want to thank Terry (Kunes) for giving us a playground to play in on Friday nights,” said Griffin.  If there was such an award, Griffin would have received one for “Best Speech” as his well-crafted one liners brought rounds of laughter from the crowd.

Brian Griffin of Elk Grove, Illinois, was presented the Rookie of the Year award for 2012.  “It was fun getting out and racing,” he said, “even though things didn’t always go well. I want to thank the track workers too since I got to meet them up close and personal at times,” said Griffin in reference to two car fires he experienced this season.

Sixteen year old Jordan Wendt of Stoughton, Wisconsin, was recognized as “Favorite Driver” after fan voting was conducted in August.  He also added the “Best Appearing Car” award for the Legends division.

Other drivers recognized included Vince Bartolotta, Jeff Lechnir, Chris Lishamer, Todd Schmitz, and Kyle Jusits.

On behalf of all of us at Madison International Speedway we would like to thank the teams who raced with us in the Legends division this season and would especially like to thank Pellitteri Waste Systems for their sponsorship of the Legends division.