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I-500 volunteers give themselves well-deserved pat on the back at party

“We cannot do it without these people” – Midwest International Racing Association Director Jamie Vincent 

Nearly 200 volunteers and guests attended the 2022 International 500 Volunteer Workers Party on the evening of Saturday at the Christopher Columbus Italian Society and “Little Italy” Ristorante. 

Ken Zmudzinski, introduced as the “pit guy,” was among the volunteers who gathered at the awards ceremony. 

“I have been on the shoots the last few years,” said Zmudzinsky. “That is where the guys come in and set their machines up. I checked their wrist bands to make sure they were on the right machines at the right time. Then, they went out and did their timed trials. After trials were done, I floated around and did different things all week.” 

I-500 Race Director Bill Cryderman confirmed this year’s race was timed at 8:14 hours. The fastest was clocked at 7:56 hours.

There were no serious injuries in the 2022 race. 

“The track that our crew built was just the right track,” said Cryderman. “The weather was cold enough when they built the track that it all bonded together, so the speeds were up. These people put in a lot of work. This is us giving back.” 

Midwest International Racing Association (M.I.R.A.) Director Jamie Vincent acted as the I-500’s technical director this year, conducting inspections throughout race week. 

“Thank you so much,” Vincent told all the I-500 volunteers who helped at this year’s event. “We cannot do it without these people. They are the backbone and they are the best. They give their week and so much more than that.” 

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 awards were canceled. Cryderman started the presentation, recognizing those who extended their time during the first pandemic year. 

The 2020 volunteerism award was given to I-500 Pageant Director Amanda Kemp, Kimberly Boucher, and Diane Bell.

“We started in a tent and now we are filling the DreamMakers theater at the casino, ” said Cryderman, recognizing the community effort put forth by the pageant director and her volunteers. 

Cryderman awarded the 2020 Bud & Donna Clarke Award to Terry Joss. This is the highest award a volunteer can receive. 

He announced other recipients before continuing into 2022 awards. This year’s Bud & Donna Clarke Award went to Rod Sanford. 

I-500 Snowmobile Race 2022 Volunteerism Award recipients were Tim Thompson, Troy Wilde and Kaye Vining. 

Recipients of the Chairman's Award were I-500 Office Director Carri Mills Bradley, and Grounds Director John Babcock. The Tug Award recipient was Tim Van Wagner. 

Many more awards were given and congratulations extended, prior to drawing tickets for some special gifts. 

Local businesses, race teams and other donors supplied door prizes.