Connecticut’s Northeast Street Stock Champion Joe Arena(center) was honored for winning the NESST Championship at the TMSP Raceway Clubhouse. (Credit: NESST photo.)
The North East Street Stock Tour (NESST) community gathered Saturday, February 20, at the Raceway Restaurant to celebrate a successful 2015 season. The start-up stock cars series, which races later model Chevrolet and Ford production cars, honored it’s top 10 point-getters and special award recipients during the 2015 season.
Scott Fanning received the Founder’s Vision Award to open the ceremonies. OTB President, Lou Gingerella, and Executive Vice President, Josh Vanada, presented the award to Fanning – who was also the founder of NESST – in recognition of his commitment to his core values and vision from the Tour’s inception.
Several other special awards were also presented. Joe Arena (Bristol, CT), Geoff Rollins (Groton, MA), Moose Douton (Waterford, CT), Jim Boyle (Waterford, CT), and Patick Tanguay (Lebanon, ME), were all honored as Sportsmen of the Year. Patrick Tanguay, also received the Hard Charger Award, passing the most cars over the course of the eight-race campaign, while Jim Boyle took home top rookie honors. NESST Registrar, Jaime Carbone, was awarded the Spirit of the Street Stocks Award for her can-do attitude and dedication to the Tour’s success.
The culmination of the Championship Awards Banquet was the official coronation of Joe Arena as the Tour’s inaugural champion. On the heels of one race win and six top three finishes, Arena never finished outside the top 10 en route to his first career championship. The veteran Street Stock driver was quick to thank his wife, dedicated crew, and long-time sponsors during his acceptance remarks.
The North East Street Stock Tour will kick off their 2016 championship season with the 42nd Annual Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Saturday, April 9.
Source: NESST PR/Shawn Secard