by John Manzi, for the Delvin Miller Amateur Drivers Association

Monticello, NY — After seven months of competitions in the C.K.G. Billings Harness Driving Championship Series, the finals in both the Midwest and Eastern Regions will be contested this weekend.

On Saturday (Nov. 19) the top point earners in the Midwest Region will convene at Northfield Park to compete in the $6,000 Midwest Region Final while on the following day, Sunday (Nov. 20), the tops in the Eastern Region will race for $10,000 in that region’s finale at Harrah’s Chester.

Steve “You’re Never Too” Oldford, the points champion in the Midwest Region, will handle his own Celtic Merchant and starts on the outside from post position seven in the one mile contest. Runner-up in points, Dave “Linemaster” Ehrenberg, will drive Mr Cruise and leave from the two hole.

Rounding out the field of drivers who earned berths in the final include “Tar Heel Tom” Williams, ”Chicago George” Bonomo, Bob “Lumberman” Troyer, “Trader Bud” Hatfield, Kelly “Sky” Walker and “Michelle the Belle” Ruvola.

The $10,000 Eastern Region Final will be contested at a distance of 1-1/4 miles and will feature Tony “the Capo” Verruso, who captured the points championship in that region. He’ll be up behind his own Sam’s Honeybee and they’ll leave from post position three. Runner-up in points, Simeon “Hot Rod” Hunsdon, will drive Domi Racer and start from the pole position.

Others who earned the right to start in the Eastern Regional Final include ”Tough Tony” Ciuffetelli, Dave “Yes It’s True” Offenberg, Peter “the Past President” Gerry, “Roundhouse Rob” Krivelin, Dave “Steady As” Yarock, “Lightning Laura” Mac Namara and Bob “the Headhunter” Hechkoff.

Upon the completion of the regional finales the Delvin Miller Memorial Gold, Silver and Bronze Cup Championships will cap the 30th consecutive season of the “Grand Circuit of Amateur Racing.”

The championship tiers will again be raced over the fast five-eighths-mile oval at The Meadows in western Pennsylvania. Upon their completion the drivers, as well as their families and friends, will gather in the track’s clubhouse to break bread and hand out awards for outstanding performances during the seven-month series.