Geldart wins Nat'l Sprint Car Poll!!!

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The North American Sprint Car Poll Awards Reception, held in conjunction with the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis on Thursday, honored the winners in the various categories of 360 and 410 sprint car racing. Among those selected was Southern Ontario Sprints (SOS) regular and current SOS Champion, Cody Geldart from Mossley.



Geldart was named the National Sprint Car Poll 360 Rookie of the Year Award winner for 2004! This is a significant award that is presented to the rookie sprint car driver across North America in the 360 category who has demonstrated excellence and whose accomplishments were outstanding.



Geldart’s first full season behind the wheel of a full-sized sprint car was outstanding by anyone’s standards, particularly for a sixteen year-old. Not only did he capture the SOS Series Title, he won his first ever sprint car feature and backed it up with four more wins during the season. In fifteen SOS points’ events, Geldart finished in the top five, twelve times showing a level of maturity well beyond his years.



Not only did Geldart have a stellar year with the SOS, he also competed internationally during 2004. In February, Geldart, along with Glenn Styres from Ohsweken made the trip to Florida to compete in the 360 Winter Nationals. Geldart, Styres and Warren Mahoney from Lafroy were also invited to compete at Knoxville in the Brobix Tournament of Champions. In a field of over sixty of the best 360 drivers from around the world, Geldart qualified for the “A-Main” and finished a very respectable twelfth.



Looking forward, Geldart has big plans for 2005. He plans to run the 410’s (c.i.) running the full schedule with the All Stars Circuit of Champions where he will compete for Rookie of the Year honors. In addition, he plans on running some World of Outlaw events plus selected 360 (c.i.) special shows.



During the past five years, SOS drivers have been nominated four times for the National Sprint Car 360 Rookie of the Year Award which is a real tribute to our club. Keith Dempster from Alton was nominated in 2000; Billy Krull of Wheatfield NY was nominated and selected as a co-winner in 2002; and last year, Kyle Patrick from Tilbury joined this select group.



Past winners of the National Sprint Car Poll 360 Rookie of the Year Award include:

• 2000 – Jeremy Campbell
• 2001 – Jeff Busby
• 2002 – Billy Krull / Billy Alley
• 2003 – Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Congratulations to Geldart and his team for being selected as the winner of this prestigious award! Receiving international recognition is a very special honor indeed, and speaks well for the caliber of drivers who compete on a regular basis with the SOS.

By Bill Oldroyd / SOS