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April 22nd, 2008 | |
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EYE ON RIVERHEAD
(EXCERPTS)
RIVERHEAD,
New York — Well
all I can say is, what a glorious day greeted all of us at
Riverhead Raceway on Saturday past for our first of two
pre-season practice sessions leading up to the opening weekend
of May 3rd and 4th.
The following
is just some of the highlights of the day, in no particular or
divisional order, just random thoughts as we recall them.
Young Gun #1.
Timmy Solomito in the Riverhead Building Supply #66 Charger,
Timmy will take over for brother Shawn in the Pontiac bodied
racer as the 2007 Rookie of the Year goes SK Modified racing
this season. Timmy was on the money right from the first
practice.
Young Gun #2. Johnny Gloor IV
in the Jarrod Hayes Late Model, after Hayes and the team had
him run the first few practices on older tires they threw some
new "shoes' at the car and Johnny was equal to the increased
speed.
Young
Gun #3. Bryan Johnson in the #92 Legend race Car, Bryan is a
third generation driver whose grandfather is Marty Himes Sr.,
and uncle is Marty Himes Jr. The Long Island Freightliner team
was impressive later in the afternoon.
Howie Brode
#96 on hand in his Bogart's Auto Body NASCAR Modified, Howie
remains among the best physically fit drivers there are in the
game today.
Former Legend
Race Car champion Tony Naglieri #94 testing two cars Saturday,
both were very quick.
Tom Sherman also had
two Oval Speed Unlimited #27 entries on hand and like Tony
both were quick. Glenn Maningo #12 was fast in Legend practice
all day long. Love the "glitter" gold paint job on Mike
Malone's #47 Gownsales.com Legend race Car. Lance Brunson #6
lost a wheel on his Brunson Construction Legend Race Car early
in the afternoon and was done for the day.
Joe Seddotto
#43 was very impressive in his first Legend effort in the
Purple Hearts Candles entry.
Don't forget
this Saturday April 26th we have another free to the public
practice session at Riverhead Raceway. The NASCAR stock cars
and INEX Legend Race Cars practice from 12: noon until 4:30 pm
and then the Enduro drivers take over the course.
Make your
plans now for opening day weekend, NASCAR stock car racing on
Saturday May 3rd with six divisions in action and then Sunday
it's the INEX Legend Race Cars with a full compliment of
Enduro Racing, a Car Rollover Contest and One-On-One Spectator
Drags Sunday May 4th.
(Bob Finan/Riverhead
Racewa)
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March 4th, 2008 | |
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LEGENDS DIVISION GATHERS FOR MEETING
RIVERHEAD,
New York — This
past Saturday, the Legends division held a meeting in
Amityville to discuss some of the issues that will be facing
the returning class in 2008, as well as to brainstorm and come
up with some ideas to ensure that the racing is satisfying for
all involved. Roughly 25 drivers and crew members were in
attendance, and they touched on some important topics to the
division, which could have a regular turnout of as many as 20
or more cars, based on expressed intent.
Racing in the
division should prove to be exciting, with approximately a
50/50 mix of veterans and new drivers. Go-kart drivers Bryan
Johnson and Jim Byrne plan to make the jump into Legends cars,
as do Enduro competitor Greg DiCanio and former Mini Cup
driver Joe Sedotto. Add to that a group of seasoned Legends
drivers that includes 2000 Riverhead Legends champion Tony
Naglieri, two-time Kauneonga Legends champion Bob White and
three-time Catskill Mountain Speedway champion Paul Dodorico.
Those who have been traveling off of Long Island to race are
certainly excited about the opportunity to return "home" to
race, thanks to the efforts of Jim Maggio, Mike Cappiello and
Bob Finan, and with the support of Barbara and Jim Cromarty.
Tech for the
division will be handled by INEX-certified Walter Bonczyk. All
drivers will be required to obtain an INEX license in order to
compete, while all others will have to obtain NASCAR licenses
to cover them while in the pit area. It is hoped that the
drivers will have a chance to meet with the track crew at one
of the pre-season practice days to address some of the
division-specific concerns, including fuel shut-off, the fact
that the cars have no reverse gear and methods for extricating
drivers and towing cars in the event of a crash.
It is
expected that the division will run the season based on a
line-up draw for heat races, without handicapping. Under this
system, the features will line up based on heat race finishes.
It is hoped that this will encourage visitors to bring their
Legends cars to Riverhead, since the cars are uniform. It is
also hoped that this will provide for more exciting racing
throughout the course of the day.
In all, the
meeting was deemed to be a success. The division will
undoubtedly have some issues to address in order to make their
return as smooth as possible for all involved, but the drivers
have expressed a willingness to face whatever challenges may
arise to make the division as strong and exciting as they can.
(LongIslandJam.com)
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February 15th, 2008 | |
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BRYAN JOHNSON MOTORSPORTS SIGNS TWO BIG SPONSORS FOR 2008
MASTIC, New York — Bryan
Johnson Motorsports is very pleased to announce the signing of
two new sponsors for the 2008 Legends racing season.
The team would like to welcome
aboard Applebee's - Together is good, and Panera Bread. These
two restaurants will be backing the team for the racing season
in 2008. Find an Applebee's location nearest you by visiting
www.applebees.com , and
to find a Panera Bread location nearest you visit
www.panerabread.com.
Both companies are family oriented are proud to join the
family run racing team for '08. Bryan Johnson Motorsports is
also still currently seeking additional sponsors for the
racing season.
Bryan Johnson will also proudly
display the NY Organ Donor Network logo on the #92 1934 Ford
Coupe Legends Race Car. NY Organ has been an important part of
the Johnson families life since the passing of Scott A.
Johnson. Scott's organs went on to save the lives of 3 adults
in New York. For more information on NY Organ Donor Network
please visit them online @
www.donatelifeny.org
or stop by the trailer at the races for the informational
packages.
(Bryan Johnson
Motorsports)
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January 4th, 2008 | |
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LEGEND RACE CARS RETURNING TO RIVERHEAD
RACEWAY IN '08
RIVERHEAD,
New York — Back
in November Barbara and Jim Cromarty announced that the Legend
Race Cars would make a return to Riverhead Raceway in 2008 and
indeed the move has turned out to be a very popular one. As of
New Years Day the track office has received 28 requests for
car numbers and their debut on Sunday May 4th is very much
anticipated.
After
their debut on Sunday May 4th the Legend Race Cars will
compete an additional 7 times at Riverhead Raceway on both
Saturday evening race cards and Sunday afternoon shows. Among
the first to sign-up for a car number was former champion Tony
Naglieri who will be joined by other Legend veterans, Paul
Dodorico, Tom Sherman, Tom Enders, Larry Altholtz, Buddy
Commerdinger, Dan Pace, Robert White Sr., Glen Maningo, Fred
Card and John Rigney.
Among the
Legend newcomers for 2008 who have registered for a car number
there are some pretty interesting names in the mix from the
Riverhead Raceway stock car and go-kart scene. Tommy Walkowiak,
two-time Blunderbust champion and Dave Brigati of the NASCAR
Modified and Late Models along with Mike Albasini of Super Pro
Truck fame have signed-up for a Legends number, as has Enduro
veteran Greg DiCanio.
Among the
East End Kart Racing go-kart graduates calling for a Legend
number are Timmy Solomito, Stephanie Brigati, Tim Card,
Anthony Cacioppo and Bryan Johnson.
The 2008
season will open with a doubleheader weekend at Riverhead
Raceway with a six for one NASCAR Whelen All American Series
show Saturday evening May 3rd and be followed by the Sunday
May 4th afternoon card featuring the Legend Race Cars and the
cars and stars of the Enduro Series at 12:30 pm.
To
register your Legend Race Car number or nay car numbers please
call 631-842-RACE Monday through Friday from 9:00 am until
5:00 pm. For a copy of the 2008 schedule or 2008 rules please
click onto
www.riverheadraceway.com.
(Bob
Finan/Riverhead Raceway)
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November 11th, 2007 | |
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TIME TO REGISTER 2008 CAR NUMBERS AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY
RIVERHEAD,
New York — With
the 2007 NASCAR Whelen All American Series awards dinner for
the champions and top stars of Riverhead Raceway in the record
books, it’s now time to start turning your attention towards
the 2008 season. With that in mind track officials announced
today that the car number registration is now underway.
Whether you’re a
40-year veteran or perhaps a driver and race team embarking on
your first year of racing at Riverhead Raceway you must
re-register or register for your car number. Numbers are
distributed on a first come, first serve basis, with
preference given to owners and drivers who raced in 2007.
Teams in the NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models, Figure Eights,
Chargers, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks, Legend Race Cars,
Grand Enduros and 4/6-Cylinder Truck Enduro can all call for a
car number in 2008.
The 2008 rulebooks are
not yet finalized, but race teams should note that there are
no major changes forthcoming in any division, perhaps just
some rewording of the rules to eliminate the “gray” areas.
Aside from the 2008 rules, promoters Barbara and Jim Cromarty
are also very close to announcing a new tire dealer at
Riverhead Raceway for 2008 and other details applying to that
area as well.
Chief Stewards Mike
Cappiello and Jim Maggio disclosed that the 2008 Competitor
Information Meetings will be staged on Sunday January 27th at
the Polish Hall in Riverhead. The gathering will be held in
the conference room on the second floor of this historic hall,
not the main dining room. A time schedule for these meetings
will be announced shortly.
Even though 2007 is
barely in the rearview mirror, 2008 is quickly approaching and
the new season of NASCAR Whelen All American Series stock car
racing will open Saturday May 3rd, while the Enduro opener
takes place Sunday May 4th.
For car numbers and to update your information with the
track office please call 631-842-RACE Monday through Friday
from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.
(Bob
Finan/Riverhead Raceway)
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November 11th, 2007 | |
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RIVERHEAD RACEWAY TO OPEN BUSY 2008 SLATE MAY 3RD AND MAY 4TH
RIVERHEAD,
New York —
As has become tradition Riverhead Raceway promoters Barbara
and Jim Cromarty released the schedule of events for the new
race season at the track’s annual awards dinner on Saturday
November 3rd and the 2008 slate is indeed a busy one. The
campaign will kick-off for the NASCAR Whelen All-American
Series Saturday May 3rd, while the Enduro racing will commence
the very next afternoon Sunday May 4th.
The
weekly fare of racing will again find the NASCAR Modified
class headlining the weekly card and be joined by the Late
Models, Figure Eights, Chargers, Blunderbusts and Super Pro
Trucks. Those six divisions will share race dates on various
Saturday nights through out the 2008, with the trucks also
racing on selected Sunday afternoon Enduro shows as well.
Back on
the 2008 schedule are the Legend Race Cars who will run an
8-race series next season and this announcement has proven to
be popular among both race fans and competitors alike. Also
returning in ’08 after a one-year hiatus will be the Monster
Truck spectacular over Labor Day weekend August 30th and 31st
by popular demand.
The
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will stop at Riverhead Raceway on
Saturday evening August 2nd and Miller Lite will again sponsor
the “flash” event as they have since the very first WMT race
back in 1985. The popular Tom Baldwin, Richie Evans & Charlie
Jarzombek Memorial 77 is slated for Saturday evening July
19th.
Aside
from their lid lifter on Sunday May 4th the cars and stars of
the Riverhead Enduro series will see action on Sunday May
25th, June 15th, August 10th, August 31st and close out their
season on Saturday September 20th. The Grand Enduro class will
run a Saturday night race on July 12th, with the 4-Cylinders
racing July 19th, 6-Cylinders on July 26th and the 8-Cylinders
go Saturday August 2nd.
As per
usual the Riverhead Raceway 2008 schedule will offer a wide
variety of edge of your seat family entertainment events
including Full Size School Bus Figure Eight races and
Demolition Derbies, Mini-School Bus events, Police Car
Demolition Derby, Blindfolded Taxicab racing, a Taxicab
Demolition Derby, a Sprint Cup Demolition Derby, Car Rollover
Contests and One-On-One Spectator Drags.
Two
huge Fireworks nights are set, first the Independence Day
display on Saturday July 5th as well the I Love America Night
display on August 23rd.
Demolition Derby events remain very popular at the historic
quarter mile oval and events for the 8-Cylinder, 6-Cylinder
and 4-Cylinder cars will be staged throughout the season and
be capped off by the 2008 National Demolition Derby
Championship presented by Miller Lite Saturday September 13th.
Sunday
afternoon August 24th has been set aside for the Memory Lane
Cars & Stars day to revisit the golden era of stock car racing
not just on Long Island, but in the Northeast. This event is
the only type on Long Island where the cars that thrilled fans
over the decades will actually turn laps on a racetrack and
it’s a day not to be missed.
For the
lowdown on the entire 2008 Riverhead Raceway schedule, please
visit
www.riverheadraceway.com or call the track for a copy at
631-842-RACE. It’s going to be great in ’08 at Riverhead
Raceway.
(Bob
Finan/Riverhead Raceway)
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