John Markovic, modified track champion.

The first track champions at Shangri-La II Motor Speedway were officially crowned during Saturday night's banquet at the Owego Treadway Inn and Conference Center. The inaugural winners of awards for special achievement were also announced before a crowd of over 200 racers and supporters of the half-mile concrete oval located in nearby Tioga Center which opened in July 2009.

John Markovic sealed his first career track championship in the tour-type modified division, although the Bethlehem, Pa. veteran had previously won touring series titles and track championships in other classes. For street stock king Chad McDonald of Wellsburg, N.Y. it was his first championship of any kind after ten years of trying and many frustrating runner-up finishes.

Jim Lamoreaux

At the other end of the spectrum, ASA late model champion Jim Lamoreaux of Sweet Valley, Pa. and sportsman modified winner Rick Zacharias of Central Square, N.Y. were both champions in the same divisions at the original Shangri-La Speedway, which closed in 2005, with Lamoreaux winning two titles and Zacharias no less than seven. Lamoreaux characterized winning the last title and the last feature at the old track and adding the first feature and the first championship at the new track as the proudest accomplishments of his long racing career.

Markovic, McDonald, and Lamoreaux all declared their intention to seek repeat titles in the same classes in 2010, with Zacharias leaving the door open on his plans for the coming season.

Danielle Buchek, Rookie of the Year.

Heading the list of special award recipients was Terry Zacharias, who was recognized as Crew Chief of the Year. Fielding modifieds and sportsmen for his brothers Rick and Chris and his sons Jimmy and T.J. as well as several other drivers, he regularly brought nine cars ready to race and was rewarded with the top two places in the sportsman standings (Rick first, Jimmy second) and three of top four in the modifieds (Jimmy and Rick tiedfor second, Chris fourth). Terry deferred the credit to his parents, Shirley and Jim Zacharias, whose racing history in the Southern Tier goes back over 50 years. "They own the cars, they just let me take care of them," he told the audience.

A single Rookie of the Year was selected and Danielle Buchek was a popular winner after placing seventh in modified points in her first year racing full-sized cars. Danielle is a third-generation racer, as her grandfather, Joe Buchek Sr., was the 1964 limited sportsman champion at the original Shangri-La and her father and car owner, Joe Buchek Jr. competed for many years.

Rick Zacharias

Scott Nurmi accepted the Hard Luck Award after a series of disasters that plagued the beginning of his season. It all started when his hauler became high-centered, blocking the pit gate on opening day, and continued with the hauler breaking down on thehighway, as well as a series of grinding crashes. The Buffalo-area driver persevered to earn second place in ASA late model points.

Voted Best Appearing Cars were Ajay Potrzebowski (street stock), Rick Zacharias (sportsman), Joe Beretta (ASA late model) and Ken Canestrari (modified). Shangri-La II owner, builder, and promoter George Swansbrough and track manager Amy Stilson declared the entire track staff winners of the Employee Appreciation Award for helping to bring the monumental project of opening a new track under the economic conditions of 2009 to reality.

Shangri-La II Motor Speedway will open its second season on Saturday, May 1, with open practice days scheduled for April 18 and 25, weather permitting. For the full 2010 schedule and other information, visit the track website at shangrila-2.com or call the speedway at 607-330-2622.

Skyview Drags is looking to hire new employees for the 2010 season! Several positions are available. Click here for more information.

Shangri-La II Motor Speedway has annnounced an ambitious schedule for the second year of stock car racing on the half-mile concrete oval. A total of 22 race dates and seven open practice days are planned, with the tentative season opening race set for Saturday, May 1. Weather permitting, pre-season practice days are listed for April 18 and April 25.

As in the track's successful inaugural season of 2009, the weekly program will feature tour-type modifieds, ASA late models, sportsman modifieds, and steeet stocks. Visiting divisions during the season will include the INEX Legends and the Tobias SpeedSTR series.

Highlighting the calendar are the two appearances of the Race of Champions Modified Series announced previously, on Sunday, May 16, and Sunday, August 1, two-day events on each of the summer holiday weekends, and the season-ending Fall Brawl. The Memorial Day Extravaganza is set for May 29-30, the Great American Classic for July 4-5, Labor Day on Fire for September 4-5, and the Fall Brawl for October 2-3. A major attraction is in the planning stages for Saturday, August 7, the weekend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits Watkins Glen International, just an hour's drive away from Shangri-La II.   

Click here to read the entire press release!

To view the tentative 2010 season schedule, visit the schedule page.

New for the 2009-2010 season are Shangri-La 2 Racer Profiles! This part of the website will give fans a chance to get to know their favorite racer.

Click here to visit the racer profiles page now.

Shangri-La 2 Racers: Set up your profile now! Visit the racer profile page and click "register" beneath the log in area. Visit the FAQ page if you have any questions.

Fans: The profile pages are brand new! It will take a bit of time for the racers to register and set up their profiles. Be sure to check back once the season has started!