Mohegan Sun Casino Race Team Celebrate Championship

Nearly 200 people gathered at the Mohegan Sun Casino Friday night to honor the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series East Champions in a private ceremony hosted by driver Matt Kobyluck and his wife and car owner Lori. The Mohegan Sun Casino race team shared the evening with their closest friends and family.

“It’s impossible to invite everyone you’d like to the NASCAR banquet, so we put on our own. It gave the team the opportunity to share this history-making championship with their family,” said Kobyluck.

“They’ve worked so hard all year long and this was our chance to get together and let the championship sink in.”

Penny Aicardi, the team’s public relations director, served as the Master of Ceremonies and kicked off the evening by presenting Kobyluck with a proclamation by NASCAR’s Brian France.

“Your first NASCAR Championship is a testament to your patience, experience and driving ability. It is a shining example, not only to your fellow Native Americans but to people from all walks of life, that success is possible through hard work and perserverance,” wrote France.

Mark Brown, Mohegan Tribal Ambassador, presented Kobyluck with a proclamation from the tribe honoring his feat as the first Native American to win a NASCAR championship.

Crew chief Perry Waite kicked off the speeches by the crew and was followed with words from Mike Kelley, Glen Thomas, Scott Tapley, Butch Kolashuk, John Fonner, Jeff Cordero, and George Andrade. Dan and Maureen Kobyluck, Matt’s parents and key members of his race team, were recognized with a round of applause. Kobyluck’s speech concluded the evening.

A special guest appearance was made by Kevin Brown, Matt’s cousin and Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Brigade 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army, who just returned home from a tour in Iraq. Brown is stationed at Fort Drum in the Adirondack region of New York. A special slide show was presented to honor Brown’s service to his country.

The Mohegan Sun Casino race team will be honored in front of the racing community next month at the annual NASCAR Camping World Series East awards banquet.