Hickory, N.C. (Jan. 12, 2008) -- After an up-and-down 2007 season, Jake “The Snake” Crum walked away from Saturday's UARA-Stars banquet with an unexpected honor – the Most Improved Driver of the Year award.
Crum accepted the award in front of a crowd of more than 200, including all nine of the other top 10 drivers in the series, during the awards banquet at the Holiday Inn in Hickory.
“I want to thank UARA for this award,” the 16 year-old Crum said. “I really didn't expect this. This is pretty neat.”
Despite several mechanical failures and on-track incidents that plagued his season, Crum managed an eighth-place finish in the standings. The streak of bad luck, however, couldn't overshadow his first series victory at Coastal Plains Raceway in June or his six top-10 finishes. Crum was awarded a $1,500 check and a plaque for his points finish.
“It's a pleasure to be standing up here with Jake. I'm very proud of him and so happy he is part of our series,” series promoter Harold Crook said.
Crum returns to the UARA-Stars series this year for his third full season in the Late Model Series and will again contend for the championship. He also will attempt to run select NASCAR Camping World East Series races later in the season.
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