By Kevin Kovac<\/p>\n
EVANSVILLE, IN \u2013 Jan. 10, 2007 \u2013 Unprecedented interest has made a sell-out of the 23rd annual United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) Awards Banquet on Sat., Jan. 20, at the Springfield (Ill.) Hilton, UMP director Sam Driggers announced today.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done all we can to accommodate as many people as possible in the Hilton\u2019s Grand Ballroom, but we\u2019ve reached the point where we can\u2019t sell any more tickets,\u201d said Driggers.<\/p>\n
This is the first time in UMP\u2019s history that the awards banquet\u2019s tickets have been sold out in advance, said Driggers.<\/p>\n
While no more tickets are available, Driggers said that a waiting list has been established for UMP faithful who are still interested in attending the banquet. Those parties can call the UMP office at 812-426-1200 or Driggers\u2019s cell phone at 405-488-5561 to have their names put on the stand-by list.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there are any cancellations by people already holding tickets,\u201d said Driggers, \u201cwe\u2019ll call the people who are on the waiting list and offer them the opportunity to purchase the tickets and have dinner with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 23rd annual UMP Awards Banquet is scheduled to begin on Sat., Jan. 20, with (naughty word)tails at 5 p.m. CST. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. CST, followed by the presentation of awards and entertainment.<\/p>\n
Rick Eshelman, the lead announcer of the 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series, will serve as emcee of the night\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n
Earning the lion\u2019s share of the attention during the banquet will be UMP Late Model national champion Randy Korte of Highland, Ill., and UMP Modified national titlist Dan Hamstra of Wheatland, Ind. Both drivers will receive $20,000 checks for their points crowns.<\/p>\n
Other 2006 UMP national champs set to be honored are Bobby Fehring of Mont Belview, Texas (Limited Modifieds), Troy Naeger of Festus, Mo. (Sportsman) and Jerrad Krick of Earl Park, Ind. (Street Stocks).<\/p>\n
Awards will also be distributed to the top finishers in UMP\u2019s Late Model Summernationals and each UMP division\u2019s regional and state point standings, and \u201cOutstanding Awards\u201d will be presented to the Promoter of the Year, Track of the Year, Sportsman of the Year (Late Model and Modified) and Mechanic of the Year (Late Model and Modified) as voted by UMP member drivers.<\/p>\n
In addition, the Bob Memmer Award, named in honor of UMP\u2019s late founder, will be presented to a person who has helped make the UMP organization a success.<\/p>\n