Anyone can be a pundit and chime in two cents on who will be or should be a champion in the HO IndySlotcar league. It takes a real handicapper to be able to pick the winner of the Austin Award for best comedian during the season.
Here are my picks for the coveted 2013 Austin Award named after former champion both on the track and on camera. Criteria for my votes are simple:
1. Who contributed the most original ideas for the TV broadcasts
2. Who got the most laughs on race night
3. Who provides the best mix of humor and weirdness in the final edit for broadcast
#5. Mike Lack: After six years of racing he finally made his announcer debut on camera for one race. That deserves a little tip of the cap on this list
#4. Everet Kamikawa: He hasn't made much time on camera as an announcer, however the league impressionist developed his arsenal of characters. If you didn't find the joke about Harry Carey comparing a green & brown car to camouflage toilet paper you missed something special.
#3. Amy Butler: Kitty Bo Peep is the one character the fans call for every broadcast. Her being a good sport about her various jokes for Kitty's abscesses from the broadcasts because of "alternate careers" should be rewarded with her first Austin trophy.
#2. Dan Margetta: Always ready with a good throw away line like "bringing a knife to a gunfight" his driver lineup intros are still funny and fresh after all these years.
#1. The Winner: Mike Kristof: Some of you are wondering what! Mike "Jon Wyatt" a.k.a. "Mike Bob Jenkins" has been the consummate straight man over the years on the broadcasts playing the leagues ringmaster within the sea of broadcast "puppets." More so this year than others he has delivered funny one lines and stories that have really added to his depth of bringing the racing action to life.
Congratulations Mike!
Until next time
It's not bad being in the pits!
Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett
