2025 Point Champions & Award Winners Honored At LOLR Banquet
Williamson & Parrow back-to-back titlists, Comfort & Burnell regain coveted crowns
Newark, NY – January 10, 2026 – Steven Ovens, Land of Legends Raceway PR
In a change of pace and venue, Land of Legends Raceway Promoter Paul Cole welcomed his top earning race teams from the previous season to the annual awards banquet. For the first time in Cole’s tenure, Doug Kent’s Rosebowl Lanes in Newark, NY played host to approximately 225 people combined between bowling and the awards banquet. The event featured a ‘No Tap’ bowling tournament that preceded dinner and the presentation of awards.
Mat Williamson in Modifieds and Bobby Parrow in 305 Sprint Cars celebrated back-to-back Land of Legends titles, while Karl Comfort in the DIRTcar sanctioned Sportsman and Frank ‘Bubba’ Burnell Jr. in Hobby Stocks were repeat champions. The newest LOLR champion to be etched into history was Geneva’s C.J. Guererri.
Lead track announcer Steven Ovens joined Cole as the master of ceremonies in the celebration of 62 years of motorsports in Canandaigua, also honoring fellow track titlists as well as a handful of deserving drivers and speedway supporters that shared receipt of special awards presented throughout the two and a half-hour gala.
The 2019 DIRTcar Northeast Promoter of the Year spoke during the awards portion of the program with his annual “State of the Speedway” address. With plans for 2026 well underway already and the tentative schedule published several weeks ago, Cole shared his thoughts on the sport as a whole.
“We’re preparing for another exciting season with a lot more announcements to come,” noted Cole in his address.
Cole offered that the schedule for 2026 is similar with several tweaks as he once again places focus on special events geared toward the divisions that compete at the track weekly. Special events include two Super DIRTcar Series shows, DIRTcar Sportsman Series, three events for CRSA Sprints (4th in discussion), one stop for the Empire Street Stock Series as well as the ‘Top Gun Shootout’ and ‘Hobby Stock Hoedown’ moving to Friday night of Gerald Haers Memorial Weekend in September.
Cole highlighted the hard work that Rich Yahn and his dedicated grounds crew put into the track surface this Fall to set up the facility for further success in 2026.
Entering his ninth season at the helm, Cole addressed the departing Tana Robinson for her years of loyal service to the speedway. Robinson will turn focus solely to duties closer to her long-time home at Ransomville (NY) Speedway. During the thank you message, the crowd greeted her with a standing ovation.
In terms of division sponsorships, Cole offered tokens of appreciation of support in 2025 to Geneva Club Beverage/Pepsi (Modified), Stirling Lubricants (Sportsman), MighTea Boba (305 Sprint), Auto Value Parts Stores (Street Stock), Lloyd’s Contracting (Hobby Stock), Hutchinson Property Preservation (New Legends Sportsman).
When it came time for awards and point fund distribution, Williamson took home the lion's share of the point fund cash and contingencies that rewarded drivers in both open-wheel and full-fender competition during the 2025 season. Top three point-earning drivers were recognized for their accomplishments with high-speed video highlights further enhancing the annual event for all in attendance. Each champion was greeted with a personal interview from Ovens with a chance to thank their crew and sponsors.
DisBatch Brewing Company “800 Horsepower Lager” door prizes, Hoosier Racing Tire jackets and a few Dirt Track Digest TV video subscriptions to their upcoming Florida Sunshine Swing giveaways were distributed after dinner.
The Big-Block Modified celebration was unique as champion Williamson, crew members and his parents were able to attend to personally accept his award this year. ‘Money Mat’ was attending the Chili Bowl during banquet weekend last year.
“We made a whole day of this event today and am glad we could all attend tonight to thank everyone,” noted Williamson.
Haers Brothers Racing lead crew chief Todd Kirkwood was honored with Crew Chief/Team of the Year for overseeing the efforts put forth by the Haers No. 3 team. Their team was put over the top this season by winning the Gerald Haers Memorial for the first time, after seven tries in the event named in memory of Justin Haers’ father.
Car owner, sponsor and longtime Land of Legends Raceway supporter Doug Dulen Jr. was honored with the track’s “Spirit of Racing” award. The Dulen family has long sponsored events and drivers at the Ontario County Fairgrounds and recently teamed up with the hottest young star on the Super DIRTcar Series, Alex Payne of Canandaigua, NY.
Dulen’s commitment to racing at LOLR was shared after the banquet in a story taking place during Payne’s lone LOLR win of 2025. While Payne was leading the Big-Block feature late in the going, Dulen and his wife were watching the event on Land of Legends TV while standing in the fourth row at a nearby CMAC concert. Dulen sprinted back to their vehicle, darted to the racetrack and ran the entire way from the pit gate to victory lane to join Payne just in time to partake in a celebratory roof dance.
Comfort celebrated his third Land of Legends Raceway track title of his career and first championship since the year 2000. The seasoned veteran from Penn Yan credited the work of his newly formed team, pristine equipment and performing well against some of the best competition in Sportsman racing.
Parrow echoed the comments of Comfort in speaking on the commitment of his crew and the high level of fun the team had, leading to their second-straight 305 Sprint Car championship. The Empire Super Sprints Hall of Famer indicated he will return in 2026 seeking his third-straight title, a feat only accomplished by one other driver in division history, Darryl Ruggles 2013-15.
The most emotional crowning of a champion took place in the Street Stock ranks, with CJ Guererri earning his first title in the division. Guererri endured the highest of highs and lowest of lows in 2025. He became a father to twins in the off-season prior to ‘25 taking the initial green flag. The family lost its patriarch, David Sr., just weeks after winning the title on Championship Night. ‘Big Dave’ as he was affectionately known, was quoted in the Street Stock highlight package in his final interview describing how proud he was of his family.
The always entertaining Frank ‘Bubba’ Burnell Jr. celebrated another LOLR championship in the Hobby Stocks. Burnell and familiar foe, Marc Minutolo, found themselves locked into another tight points battle to close out 2025. A mechanical failure for Minutolo with two point races remaining helped Burnell take the elusive title to bookend the last four seasons of championships (Burnell 2022, Minutolo 2023-2024 and Burnell 2025).
Cole closed out the program by giving 2025 Land of Legends Raceway ‘Employee of the Year’ accolades to safety team medic Steve Applebee. Applebee was nominated by several race teams in the pit area after his swift pre-hospital treatment for a crew member who fell ill at the track over the summer. His coordinated and skilled actions helped the patient get to the hospital to receive further treatment and prevent a poor outcome.
LEGEND LEDGER
Rising Big-Block star Nick Root, Sportsman racer Evan Nugent and 305 Sprint Car driver Dalton Martin received the track’s Rookie of the Year Awards for 2025. Sportsmanship Awards went to Sportsman ace Frank Guererri Jr. and New Legends Sportsman upstart Chris Darling.
Dan Bennett received the annual ‘Hard Luck’ Award, while Hobby Stocker Blane Smith headlined the track’s ‘Highlight of the Year’ after his post-race celebration in DAV Victory Lane garnered 38,500 social media views to lead all other media content.
Two 'Best Appearing Car' awards were handed out for their sleek-looking schemes. The MCS Motorsports Sportsman team driver Chase Spoor and his no. 41S mount were recognized along with New Legends Sportsman wheelman AJ Mitchell, pilot of the #28 machine.
Nearly 20 teams registered for the bowling tournament with the Cole boys taking down first place on home turf. The team led by LOLR TV graphics assistant Mark Rose took second place, with the Hoerter/Young team claiming third place honors.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT AS SPECIAL SESSION RUNS APRIL 25 AT LOLR
In high anticipation of the 63rd season of stock car racing on the historic Ontario County oval, Land Of Legends Raceway gates swing open for a special day of 'open' practice on Sat. April 25. Any type of race car is welcome for the lead-off event that runs 3:00-8:30pm with grandstand seating offered free of charge.
The first official race action gets underway Sat. May 2 with a big six-star card filling the evening agenda. The mighty Pepsi Big-Block Modifieds headline the Spring show, joined by Sportsman, MighTea Boba 305 Sprint Car, Street Stock, Proctor Roofing Hobby Stock and New Legend Sportsman classes. Pit gates open at 3:30pm, spectators gain entrance at 5 o'clock, hot laps start at 5:30 and the first qualifier goes green at 6:30pm as top teams take on the fast fairgrounds half-miler.
Check out www.landoflegendsraceway.com for the current marketing programs in place as well as detailed information for the upcoming season posted right up to raceday. To discuss marketing opportunities available at the track in 2026, please contact Paul Cole via phone 315-573-4525 or e-mail paul@landoflegendsraceway.com.
2025 Land Of Legends Raceway Point Leaders & Award Winners
Pepsi/Geneva Club Beverage Big-Block Modified: MAT WILLIAMSON-Champion, Justin Haers-2nd, Alex Payne-3rd, Matt Sheppard-4th, Peter Britten-5th, Zach Payne-6th, Nick Root-7th, Dalton Slack-8th, Kasey Coffey-9th, James Sweeting-10th. Rookie – Nick Root, Crew Chief/Team of the Year – Todd Kirkwood/Honeoye Auto Parts-Phelps Cement Products-CX Electric-FLX Home Solutions-Haers Bros. Racing #3 Team, Spirit of Racing – Doug Dulen Jr. 2025 feature winners: Williamson (7), Sheppard (3), Haers (2), Britten (2), A.Payne.
Stirling Lubricants Modified Sportsman: KARL COMFORT-Champion, Tyler Corcoran-2nd, Matt Guererri-3rd, Richard Murtaugh III-4th, Frank Guererri Jr.-5th, Evan Nugent-6th, Justin Liechti-7th, Tim Baker-8th, Tyler Guzzardi-9th, Tim Lafler-10th. Rookie – Evan Nugent, Sportsmanship – Frank Guererri Jr. & Chris Darling, Best Appearing Car – #41S Chase Spoor. 2025 feature winners: Murtaugh (3), Comfort (2), M.Guererri (2), Liechti (2), Corcoran, Nugent, Guzzardi, Lafler, Kevin Ridley, Cody McPherson.
MighTea Boba 305 Sprint Car: BOBBY PARROW-Champion, Lance Dusett-2nd, Ethan Gray-3rd, John Smith-4th, Dan Craun-5th, Dalton Martin-6th, Randy Years-7th, Spencer Burley-8th, Cameron Moss-9th, Steve Glover-10th. Rookie – Dalton Martin, Hard Luck – Dan Bennett. 2025 feature winners: Parrow (5), Dusett, Gray, Craun, Martin, Moss, Glover, Dillon Paddock, Zach Sobotka, Jordan Hutton, Jeff Trombley.
Auto Value Parts Stores Street Stock: C.J. GUERERRI-Champion, Rick Crego-2nd, Mike Welch-3rd, Marc Minutolo-4th, Patrick Hobbs-5th, Hannah Guererri-Searle-6th, Jimmy Grant-7th, Chris Beyea-8th, Justin Eldredge-9th, Mike Fellows-10th. 2025 feature winners: Grant (5), Guererri (4), Welch (2), Josh Pangrazio (2), Crego, Minutolo.
Lloyd's Contracting Hobby Stock: FRANK ‘BUBBA’ BURNELL JR.-Champion, Marc Minutolo-2nd, Nathan Peckham-3rd, Tyler Burnell-4th, Blane Smith-5th, Justin Eldredge-6th, Craig Dingy-7th, Jared Hill-8th, Kevin Lloyd-9th, Eddie Stevens-10th. Highlight of the Year – Blane Smith. 2025 feature winners: F.Burnell (5), Minutolo (3), Smith (2), Daniel Kerrick (2), Peckham, Eldredge, Hill.
Hutchinson Property Preservation New Legends Sportsman: Best Appearing Car – #28 A.J. Mitchell. 2025 main event winners: Chris Darling (5), Kyle Ridley (5), Sydney Wetherbee, Shaun Toland.
Track Instant Info
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Along with recognizing its weekly 50/50 raffle fund beneficiaries, Land of Legends Raceway is proud to salute several sponsors and corporate partners that continue to help bring its fans the best Saturday night racing show in the Northeast. Listed alphabetically are 2025 division sponsors Auto Value Parts Stores, Hutchinson Property Preservation, Lloyd's Contracting, MighTea Boba, Pepsi Geneva Club Beverage, Stirling Lubricants; event sponsors AMS Enterprises, Auto Value Parts Stores, A-Verdi Storage Containers, Busch Light/Lake Beverage, Disabled American Veterans, Disbatch Brewing Company, Ferris Mowers, Honeoye Auto Parts, Hoselton Auto Mall, iFreeze Storage & Distribution Center, LSI Solutions, Pace Electronics, Pepsi/Geneva Club Beverage, Phelps Cement Products, Prouty's Bar & Grill, Regional Truck & Trailer, Ryan Phelps Auto Sales, Seneca Meadows Landfill, Smith Bros. Drywall, Tradition Automotive Group, VP Racing Fuels, Wilbert's U-Pull It; promotional partners Always Locked Self Storage, American Woman Designs, Auto Wash Car Wash, Baker's Exterminating, Casella Waste Systems, Champion Power Equipment, Close Racing Supply(CRS), Comfort Windows, Elab Smokers Boutique, Emerson Oil Company, Fox Pest Control, Hoosier Racing Tire, Legott's Club 86, Mac's Dairy Bar & Mini Golf, Meyer's Finger Lakes RV, Mike Emhof Motorsports, Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame, Ontario County Fairboard, On The Rocks Bar & Grill, The "Original" Red Osier Landmark Restaurant, Rose City Drive-In, Ruggles World of Auto Body, Schultz Heating & Cooling, Stop DWI NYS, Superior Plumbing, Turn 5 Media, United Rentals, Voodoo Ranger Hard Tea, Wicked Tees.