Emil Torquato was the employee who received the most votes of appreciation from the racers and was recognized as Employee-of-the-Year.   

Many different sponsors were in attendance and introduced to the crowd. The racers voted to select Northwest Wholesale and Retreading as the Sponsor-of-the-Year. 

Top finishers in the Les Schwab Tire Centers/Toyo Tires Sports Compact Challenge were honored as well. Third, second, and champions in the three classes were recognized. The three champions in this series for 2007 were:-          Import Sportsman – Derrick Jackson-         

                 Import Pro – Graig Osborne-         

                       Street Bike – Roger Wolff 

The top three points earners in the Dragster/Roadster Class were recognized. In third place was Ron Austin; second place was Rob Bese; and the 2007 Champion for Dragster/Roadster is Walt Skoczylas. 

Included in the program was a tribute to the 30 Years of Tradition of Champion ET Racing which began with the first NHRA ET Finals held at Seattle International Raceway in 1978. Memories were shared by former and current racers, including Robert Rhines, Dennis Weddle, Roger Weddle, John Nero, Mike and Roberta Surat, Gary & Kathy Hamlet, and Elvon Kauffman. Gene Bergstrom shared a behind the scenes view of how that first race came to be.   Special recognition was given to two racers with five or more Track Championships, namely Van Smith and Adam DePeel. Two racers were recognized for having earned ten Track Championships, namely Robert Rhines and Derrick Jackson.  

All 2007 Woodburn Dragstrip Summit ET Finals team members were introduced. Each received a Woodburn Dragstrip Jacket as well as NHRA Sumit ET Jacket. Plaques were awarded to each member and a “Woodburn Piston Wally” was awarded to each champion.  Cash awards were given to first and second place finishers in Motorcycle, and first, second and third in the other classes. The four 2007 track champions are:                                 -           Motorcycle – Brian Carr

            -          Sportsman – Kathy Figini

            -          Pro – Steve Kelly

            -          Super Pro – Tim Schillereff 

The racers voted to recognize their peers in three additional areas. The most improved driver finished number 11 in Sportsman Class in 2006 and earned the class championship in 2007. Racers selected Kathy Figini as the 2007 Woodburn Dragstrip Most-Improved-Driver. 

The Person-of-the-year for 2007 is a person who worked quietly behind the scenes to promote all of racing at Woodburn Dragstrip. She is recognized by all of her peers for her outstanding contributions to each of our participants. The 2007 Woodburn Dragstrip Person-of-the-Year is Lori Weber. 

Racers selected an outstanding driver based on his performance and driving record in 2007. This driver won 80% of the rounds in which he competed. We believe he is the first racer ever to earn more than 1000 points during the season in the VP Fuels Series. The 2007 Woodburn Dragstrip Driver-of-the-Year is Steve Kelly.  

Woodburn Dragstrip would like to recognize and congratulate each driver and team on their accomplishments in 2007. We appreciate the support of each one of you. Our goal is to provide a safe place where you can go fast and where, as our motto says, “Good people have a good time.” We are always open to suggestions and look forward to another great season in 2008. Until then, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all. The track opens again on March 8, 2008.