CONCORD, NC (December
19, 2006)
--
For the last four years, the NASCAR Busch North Series
banquet ended with Andy Santerre making the night's final
speech as the tour's championship-winning driver.
|
For 2006, Santerre got out of the driver's seat and
into the role of team owner as the tour transitioned
into the NASCAR Busch East Series. He watched a
close championship fight that saw his good friend
Mike Olsen beat Andy's own driver Sean Caisse for
the title. So this year's banquet was a little bit
less work for Santerre. |
Jim Greenwood
Photo |
"Andy
told me earlier today that the best thing this year was that
he could get on and off the stage without having to make a
speech," said Master of Ceremonies, Mike Joy.
Well,
Santerre might have gotten off easy, but a few members of
his #44 Casella Waste Systems / Andy Santerre Motorsports
race team didn't. Caisse was noted for both his runner-up
point finish and with the 2006 Busch Pole Award. Meanwhile,
Sue Santerre was awarded the 2006 Busch East Series
Auxiliary Award.
|
Jim Greenwood
Photo |
"If success is a journey, so far I have had one heck
of a ride," said Caisse to the audience at the
Mohegan Sun Resort. "I need to thank to Steve and
Peg Griswold for giving Andy and Sue Santerre the
opportunity to start their own team and thank for
Andy and Sue for letting me drive for them. I can't
thank you enough; you've changed my life. |
Jim Greenwood
Photo |
"Andy has
been an outstanding crew chief, owner and friend. I also
had a crew behind me this year that never gave up believing
in me even though I was the new kid on the block."
|
While Caisse went into the function knowing what was
in store, Sue Santerre's honors came as a total
surprise to her. Her friend Lynn Leighton presented
the award. |
Jim Greenwood
Photo |
"This has
been a long time coming," said Leighton. "She's someone who
doesn't sit around waiting for things to happen, she makes
them happen."
The ASM
team now will go to work preparing for their 2007 Busch East
Series campaign and Caisse is already looking ahead to next
year's banquet -- with one minor change hopefully in store.
"I just
have one more position to gain for next year," said Caisse.
The 2007
NASCAR Busch East Series season is set to kick off on April
28th at Greenville-Pickens Speedway (SC).
For more
information on Andy Santerre Motorsports and Sean Caisse,
contact Matt Kentfield at (704) 455-2051 and visit the
all-new online home of ASM,
www.andysanterremotorsports.com
