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GRIFFIN ANNOUNCES RETIRMENT AT SCRA AWARDS BANQUET |
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LAS VEGAS, NV, JANUARY 17, 2004 - The Flamingo Hilton hosted the10th Annual Sprint Car Racing Association Awards Banquet Saturday. Confirming all the speculation throughout the week, 2003 NAPA Auto Parts / Auto Trader Magazines SCRA Driving Champion Richard Griffin officially announced his retirement after winning his fifth SCRA championship in six years. "It's been a great career," Griffin said after formally being recognized for his accomplishments last season. "It all started about 25 years ago as a hobby. Nobody thought it was going anywhere when I first started, it was just something to keep me out trouble. It's been a lot of fun. I've met a lot of great people and made a lot of friends through racing. It's taken a lot of time, but I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world. I just feel that it's time to do something else." Walking away from the sport at the age of 40, Griffin succeeds Lealand McSpadden and Ron Shuman who also retired after winning SCRA driving titles. During his eight SCRA seasons, Griffin won 49 main events and never finished worse than second in series points. "I hope I've represented SCRA in a good way," Griffin said with an emotional tone. "I know how hard it is to win championships with SCRA and I definitely cherish each one of them. I was just lucky enough to get hooked up with good people and that's what enabled me to get where I am today." Griffin and his car owner Ron Chaffin combined for $20,000 in point fund money for their respective titles. Even though Chaffin's plans for the upcoming season are still undetermined, it didn't prevent him from enjoying his eighth SCRA Owner's Championship in nine years. Winning six Dashes last year, Griffin and Chaffin also teamed up to win yet another JE Pistons Passing Masters Dash title. Not surprisingly, Crew Chief Bruce Bromme, Jr. was named the Mechanic of the Year for the eighth time. Prior to Griffin's farewell speech, emcee Chris Holt introduced 2003 Non-Winged World Championship series winner Bud Kaeding. After getting off to a slow start in the 14-race NWWC series, Kaeding rallied in the final six events to win his first NWWC title. Sporting a pair of Elvis-like sunglasses, Kaeding was handed a check for $16,000. Damion Gardner and car owner Harlan Willis finished second in SCRA points and each received $5,000 in point fund money. Gardner led all drivers with seven main event wins during the year, which earned him the first-ever Dean Thompson Achievement Award. Josh Ford left Vegas with the Jeff Bagley Memorial SCRA Rookie of the Year Award. Ford also received hardware for winning the NWWC Rookie of the Year Award. Ford's father Keith, took home SCRA Rookie of the Year honors in the owners' category. Illinois driver Levi Jones was named the series "Most Improved Driver", while "Hard Luck Awards" went to Brian Venard for the SCRA series and to car owner Johnny Vermeer for the NWWC series. In all, SCRA President Ron Shuman generated over $120,000 in prizes and point fund money, the bulk of which was presented to car owners and drivers finishing 15th or better in series points. |
