NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series Celebrates 2006 Season at Mohegan Sun

By Al Robinson,
NASCAR Public Relations

UNCASVILLE, CT -December 15, 2006– Mike Olsen was officially presented with the awards marking his second NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series championship in the last five years at Friday night’s 20th annual series banquet and awards ceremony in the Uncas Ballroom of the Mohegan Sun Resort. The championship celebration was highlighted by the presentation of the prestigious NASCAR championship ring to Olsen by NASCAR’s Managing Director of Racing Operations, George Silbermann.

Olsen, from North Haverhill, N.H., won his title by a margin of 124 points over second-year competitor Sean Caisse, of Pelham, N.H. Sharing the championship honors, as they had in 2001, were Olsen’s grandfather, Stanley “Stub” Fadden, the founder and patriarch of his family’s racing team, along with longtime crew chief Harry Norcross and Car-Freshner Corporation, the sponsor of the No. 61 Little Trees Chevrolet for over a decade.

“The 2006 season was a great year for our team, highlighted with our win at New Hampshire International Speedway in July. Winning at Loudon was a dream come true,” Olsen said. Emphasizing the nature of his team, he paid tribute to his family in accepting the championship, adding “My grandparents Stub and Charlotte Fadden, thank you for letting me tag along with you as a kid and being such wonderful supporters and role models to me.”

The family theme was evident once again as Norcross interrupted his champion crew chief acceptance speech to answer a cell phone call from his sons, bringing news of their first victory as varsity basketball teammates back home in New Hampshire.

In addition to recognition of the championship team, numerous other awards were presented during the ceremony. NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown winner Matt Kobyluck, of Uncasville, Conn., was voted the Most Popular Driver Award for the first time by the NASCAR members participating in the series. The Busch East Series officials selected Charles Lewandoski, of Stafford Springs, Conn., as recipient of the Driver Achievement Award and Scott Bouley’s family-owned team, of Thomaston, Conn., as winners of the Sportsmanship Award.

Based on special award points scored during the season, Sean Caisse won the Busch Pole Award title, and Ruben Pardo, of Mexico City, Mexico, was presented with Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. The POWERade Power Move of the Race seasonal honors were earned by Jeff Anton, of Westfield, Mass., and the Featherlite Most Improved Driver by Brian Hoar, of Williston, Vt.

The Busch East Series Auxiliary Award was presented to Sue Santerre and the Bunk Sampson Memorial Award, given by the family of the late series director, went to series chief scorer Cheryl Plowman. Master of Ceremonies was Mike Joy, host of NASCAR on FOX.

Mike Olsen’s point fund and season-ending contingency awards of $99,342, added to $71,210 in regular season race purses and $8,000 from the Toyota All-Star Showdown, brought his total winnings for 2006 to $178,552 and pushed him past the $1,000,000 mark for his career which began in 1989.

The NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series 2007 season opens at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C., on Saturday, April 28.

Have an opinion on this story? E-MAIL KARNAC to send a letter to the editor!