Great Rakeman's Banquet & Challenge Awards Ceremony - 2008

[Rakeman]

It's that time of year again, so sit back, relax and prepare to spend the next 20 minutes or so reading this rather lengthy post recapping the 2008 Rakeman's Challenge season.

Before we hand out the awards, I thought everyone would enjoy an overview of how the season went. I'm sure some of you have already forgotten how you did all season, and some would rather not be reminded! (right, BucShot? )

We started off the season opener (Bud Shootout) with Tazz as the winner, ProwlingPanther in 2nd place. In the early going, Tazz and Cats maintained 1st and 2nd in the standings, with Grrrowlguy lurking just behind. I, on the other hand faded back to 14th! Yikes!

Alas, ole' Gg had a Kyle Busch kind of year. He took over the #1 spot 7 weeks into the season, with Tazz on his heels, and maintained that position for an unprecedented 23 weeks, fading to 2nd only once during that time. He faultered a bit at Bristol, but roared back the very next week. Meanwhile, fan4ever and BucNut hoovered around 3rd and 4th most of the time.B_Ellis24 took over at Kansas, but I was able to knock him out of the top spot 2 weeks later. The rest, as they say, is history.

When the dust had settled, Tazz had the most wins with 7. BucNut and buc_a_ganny each had 5 wins. B_Ell, f4e and me were no slouches either, with 4 each. Other honorable mentions: Rock Falcon and BucShot - 3 each; ProwlingPanther, INTWTF and NR4 - 2 each; Grrrowlguy and Cats each had 1. (If you're wondering why this doesn't add up to the 38 or so Challenges we have, keep in mind some one hit wonders won during the year, but because they didn't stick it out all season, they don't make it to the awards banquet!)

Most 2nd place finishes goes to B_Ell with 6, which shows why he was such a formidable opponent. Honorable mention to f4e with 5. Hopefully, you all remember where you finished up in the standings this season, so without further delay ---- the awards!


Runner Up

B_Ellis24 - coming off his Championship year with a second place finish is quite an accomplishment. (Almost seems as if he has this Challenge thing all figured out, doesn't it? Nah.....I'll blow his doors off next year!) Way to hang tough, B_Ell and thanks for taking a back seat for me!


Most Improved Player

This award is given to the player who jumped the most spots in the final standings from where they finished up in last year's line up. Grrrowlguy gained the most ground finishing 5th this season after a dismal 16th place showing last year. That's an 11 spot jump and had it not been for some bad races at the end of this season, he might have bettered that. I expect to see him battle for the Championship again next year!


Good Sport Award

For the second year in a row, I've gotta' give this one to B_Ell. He was most gracious in his loss as the Champion, because I know how badly he wanted back-to-back trophies. Not once did he ever send me any hate mail, and I appreciate that.


Comers and Goers Award
Not sure why this happens year after year, but again, Sprint and justloafing started the season with us, but failed to continue their enthusiasm.
Maybe next year?*


Hangin' In There Award

Since 2001: BucShot and Tazz have been faithful followers, and I appreciate y'all's support. Sprint and justloafing are also members of this class.

Class of 2002: PP, BN, Cats, INT, B_Ell. Thanks for sticking around so long!

Class of 2004: AF, RF and b_a_g. Y'all having fun yet?

Class of 2006: Gg and NR4. Glad to have you both along for the ride.

Class of 2007: f4e and Pantherkiwi. These guys were "Newbies" last year, but have now become seasoned vets.

We actually didn't have any Newbies this year, unless you count B.B., who isn't really a person. Well, he's a real person, but he didn't actually participate in the Challenges. It's a long story, but let's just leave it at he's a part of BucShot's and my childhood that's probably better off left back in his coffin!


Biggest Season Points Jumper Award

This one goes to the player who jumped the most in the Challenge standings during this season based on their position after the Bud Shootout in February to their final spot in the overall standings. B_Ell gets this award again this year for starting out 18th and finishing 2nd. Dude - Wouldn't it be much easier to start at the top and just stay there? Honorable mention to f4e - moving up 11 spots from 17th to 6th.


Johnny Come Lately Award

Second year in a row - NR4 scambled his way into many a Challenge this season at the last minute, or (heaven forbid) after qualifying. Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules!!


Creativity Award

This just has to go to ProwlingPanther for always giving me something to think about with his unique picks week after week. I love a good chess game and he rarely stumped me. Thanks for bringing me a bit of joy.


Congeniality Award

These players consistently posted a "thanks" for the Challenge and also all my hard work, so I'm giving out co-awards to: AF, BN, b_a_g, f4e, and B_Ell. Thanks to each of you for thanking me!

and of course, last but not least..............


Championship Award

The Great Rakeman - your 2008 Rakeman's Challenge Champion

Finally! After all these years of running this shindig, I've been able to master my own creation! I guess I should put my Championship feat in my signature line, just so you guys won't forget.............GO GIRL POWER!!

[fan4ever]

AWESOME write-up, Rakey!!

Thoroughly enjoyed your challenges and hope to join in again next season!

[ProwlingPanther]

Welcome to the VIP club Rakey...you'll enjoy the view. Although we need to have a talk about this not giving me an award thing

[Rakeman]

PP~

My apologies! I completely skipped your award in my post today. Thanks for reminding me I left you out........it certainly wasn't on purpose! (I have edited to include you.)

BTW - great job in the Survivor Pool.

[Arkansas Falcon]

Congrats and thanks for another great Challenge season Rakey!

I'll be back again to try once again to win my 1st championship!!!

[B_ELLIS24]

First of all, I enjoyed my year as the Rakeman Challenge Champion. I feel like I was a good ambassador for this contest and carried myself as a true Champion. To finish 2nd in points after winning a Championship is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. I had myself in a position to repeat, it just didn't work out.

Rakey, you deserve this Championship! Congrats on finally winning your 1st Title and I'm sure you'll make a fine Champion! To the Dawg: I guess I'll have to offer you filet mignon next year!

To all the fellow players: great season, and Daytona will be here before we know it!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and see ya'll at Daytona!

[Sprint]

Wow Rakey wins her own challenge Congrats I know somehow I ended up disapearing but this year I kinda had an excuse....I was having all kinds of sign in issues for quite some time so I kinda just gave up for a while. Well now I got a new computer so hopefully I will have better luck. Good to see the old familiar names still here Is it time to start racing again?

[Grrrowlguy]

Congrats to Rakeman and the rest that beat me but wait till next year! LOL Thanks for all the hard work that went into a great picking year and its not long till the Daytona 500!