November non-fendered Sybesma prize to Faddis

FARMINGTON, N.M. – Her first season in a Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMod came to an end with two awards for Juanita Faddis.

The Farmington, N.M., driver earned Allstar Performance State championship honors in Utah, then capped off 2014 with November honors for non-fendered divisions in the Sybesma Graphics IMCA Facebook Fan Favorite contest.

“I’d raced a Southern SportMod for three years but this was really a learning season for me,” said Faddis, recipient of a mini-mod door from Sybesma. “The biggest difference between the two divi­sions is how the cars drive. They have a different feel.”

“We had a lot of heat race wins (16) and I was pretty stoked about my finish in the Lady Eagle points (13th) but I’m still looking for my first feature win in a Northern SportMod,” she added. “I’m going to return to the division next year and run for national points, multiple track championships and hopefully to defend my state championship.”

Faddis registered a dozen top five finishes in 33 starts at four different tracks this year.

Aztec Speedway was closest to home, just 10 minutes away, while Montezuma County Fair­grounds Speedway in Cortez, Colo., necessitated a one-hour tow.

She had 15 starts at Desert Thunder Raceway and Diamond Mountain Speedway. All but one of those races was part of weekend doubleheaders.

“Price is six hours away and Vernal is 7-1/2 hours one way, but they’re both worth the trip,” Fad­dis said. “Price is fast. Vernal is banked in one and two and flat in three and four. They’re both fun.”

Introduced to motorsports by husband Kevin, Faddis got her four-wheeled start in a local mini-stock division.

Kevin heads her crew, assisted by son Christopher “Tubby” and Jonnie Vialpando.

Sponsors are Monster Bucks of the West, A-1 Rentals, Wade’s World and Spitfire Chassis by Ron Woods, all of Farmington; Shocked By Baxter of Albuquerque; D & M Motorsports of Grants; Rockstar Energy Drink; parents Duane and Barbara Taylor; children Christopher and Monica; daughter-in-law Debra and granddaughters Patri­cia and Anna Phillips.