04/13/2002
Welcome
Back to Riverhead
By J.A. Ackley
Although the
morning looked grim, come noon, sunny skies and mild temperatures
would greet teams to this week’s practice session.
Many teams debuted some sparkling paint schemes, and a lot of
new faces were present in new places today.
Blunderbusts
The
Blunderbusts had quite a field this practice with quite a few taking
the opportunity to get into racing mode.
The #87 Eddy’s Trailer Sales Chevrolet of defending
champion, Chris Chirico, debuted a sparkling new paint scheme for
2002, with a fade from a metallic purple on the nose to a black on
the rear, quite nice for the defending champion.
Bobby
Gardner and his #55 Golden Auto Body Cadillac arrived at warm-ups
basically unchanged from 2001. Gardner commented that the car was just finished 4AM prior to
warm-ups as Gardner has been busy in the off-season working on cars
for his fabrication business. However,
before the season starts the #55 may have a new sleek look for their
championship campaign in 2002.
Dale
Arnold’s #53 is also virtually unchanged for 2002 with the
exception of newly added of bullet holes to the doors.
The bullet holes are in deed fake, but Arnold’s chances for
a 2002 championship are far from it, as he looked strong in
practice. Arnold also
added two brand new sponsors, Jones Tree Service and Custom Vinyl
Graphics to help fuel his campaign for 2002 gold.
Jack
Handley was on hand for warm-ups as well.
His #49 was primered and not in race paint as of the
practice. Handley’s
looking to improve upon his 2001 5th place finish in
points and hopefully capture the elusive championship.
Eugene
Malverty debuted his brand new car, which was recently acquired from
Snakebite Motorsports and was driven by Anthony Aiello last year.
Malverty’s yet to be painted car did look strong in
practice and should be a contender in 2002 once again.
Tom
Slee hit the track in a gorgeously painted #10.
The American flag theme was ever present during the day, and
Slee’s was one of the better American flag cars out there as it
was simply dazzling. Slee
who ran very consistently last season is looking to step it up in
2002 and become contender for the championship this year.
Slee
will have two teammates in 2002 as well, as Bob Baker and Michael
Meola will become part of the three-car team known as Lost Boys
Racing. Bob Baker is
making the step up from Enduros and had his car on hand, a car
formerly driven by Luke Ferland a couple years back.
Michael Meola is stilling working on his Blunderbust and has
his Figure 8 currently up for sale.
Meola is another Enduro vet that will be running in the
Blunderbust ranks in 2002.
Anthony
Aiello will be driving in the Blunderbust ranks again in the car,
which Richie Hubbard drove last year.
However the car is no stranger to Aiello as he drove the car
previously and ran some top-notch races with it.
Hopefully with the return to his old car Aiello can turn his
2001 bad luck around and have a good year in the Blunderbust ranks
in 2002.
Peter
Cataldo debuted the #35, which was formerly of Jarrod Hayes.
This very potent car helped Hayes earn multiple wins and when
Cataldo gets a handle of the car, he could very well be a strong
runner this coming season.
Doug
Watson had some slight paint scheme changes with his distinctive #3,
replacing the gray with white and the red with blue.
Watson secured some sponsorship over the off-season and had
made some significant improvements to the #3.
Watson may one to watch in the upcoming season as this dark
horse may turn heads in 2002.
Another
dark horse to keep an eye on is the #00 of Tommy Walkowiak.
Walkowiak bought the car formerly of Ron Langdon and it’s a
very potent car indeed. Walkowiak
had some strong runs last year, including a win, and this Enduro
veteran definitely knows how to get it done.
Walkowiak is another contender to watch for.
Tom
Sullivan and his #7 had a slightly different #7 on his car but
otherwise looked pretty much the same. However, Tom would have mechanical woes throughout the day
causing him much grief in the first practice session. Sullivan is another driver who had some strong runs in 2001,
which is looking for luck to change a bit and offer him the
opportunity for contention for the win night in, and night out.
Russell
Broy also had his car on hand and had slightly different lettering
for the numbers as well. Broy
also debuted a new sponsor, X-Ray Utility Locating Company that will
help fuel him for the win in 2002.
Broy is another driver who has looked strong in 2001 but had
luck dictate his finishes otherwise.
Hopefully this upcoming season will bode better for him.
Carl
Voelker, Jr. debuted a nicely painted red/white/blue #64 which was
turning heads out there. Voelker
a second generation racer is looking for his first win in 2002 and
if he runs as good as his car looks, Voelker should be a winner in
not too long of time.
Kevin
Clarke also had his #80 on hand, which had some nice stripes on the
side, which made a sharp look on his Blunderbust.
One of the many Enduro racers in the Blunderbust ranks,
Clarke has tasted Blunderbust victory lane in the past and is
looking to taste it once again in 2002.
Tom
Pickerell made his return to the Blunderbust ranks official when he
shook down his immaculate yellow and blue Chevy in practice.
This Blunderbust veteran is no stranger to victory lane and
expect him to find it in the near future with his brand new ride for
2002.
Also
on hand was Scott Sepe in his #6 Buick.
The car was virtually unchanged from 2001 and this
Blunderbust veteran is seeking to do better this upcoming season.
Super Pro
Trucks
One
of Riverhead’s fastest growing divisions had quite a few trucks on
hand, but with few changes among the trucks on hand this past
practice.
The
#1 of Lou Maestri, #2x of John Denniston, #38 of Dan Grennan, #42 of
Mike Jurkowski, #46 of Larry Costa, #55 of Lenny Costa were all
present yet virtually unchanged from 2001.
The
#10 of Hank Hallock debuted new numbers, which were painted like a
flag for 2002. Hank is
looking for some better finishes this upcoming season in this very
potent #10 truck.
The
#66 of Mike Albasini looking dashing with a new body and paint
scheme for 2002. This
sophomore truck driver will be looking to improve on his strong
finishes in 2001 to tour victory lane this upcoming season.
Chargers
The
Chargers had quite a few making it out to first practice, many of
which are new to 2002 as well.
Returning
in basically the same shape as last year were the #2 Robin
Vollmoeller, #7 of Darryl Baker, #21 Chris Beutler, #34 of Mike
Watson, #36 of Eric Lutz, #43 of Ray Minieri, #48 of John Piazza,
and #99 Jack Orlando.
Rusty
Turbush had a newly bodied #17x hitting the track this past practice
session. This strong
runner week in and week out will have Truly Blue Pools stepping up
its sponsorship in 2002 to help propel him to championship gold.
In addition, Turbush will have a teammate in selected races,
as Brad Van Houten will run a car from the Ellwood Motorsports
stable as well.
The
newly Bobby McDermott built #74 of Gino Terripicchio hit the track
for the first time in grand fashion. This immaculate car is sponsorless and Terripicchio is
looking for some sponsorship in his 2002 campaign.
With a solid car underneath him, Gino may experience victory
lane soon enough.
The
#61 of Chris Busick ditched the canary yellow colors for black and
red, white, and blue colors. Not
only does this car look great, but the car was running just as good
as the paint scheme looked thanks to a new power plant from Chuck
Deon Race Engines. Hopefully
Busick’s motor woes will cease in 2002 and provide an opportunity
for Busick to shine in the competitive Charger division.
The
#1x of Dave Brigati and #11x of Brian Schwarz seem to be the Men In
Black with their new colors for 2002. In addition to their Chargers, Dave Brigati will be shaking
down his late model next week as well as their Super Pro Truck.
These two will definitely been busy with the amount of racing
they got in store for 2002.
Richie
Hubbard had his #58 on hand but was just there for tech.
Hubbard ran the Blunderbusts last year with some success,
will be making the step up to Chargers in 2002.
If the car cooperates, Hubbard may have some nice finishes in
store in the upcoming season.
The
#33 Mike’s Mechanic Service Dodge of Ken Waller made its debut
this past practice. Waller
had some troubles last year as his car was built on 20-year-old
technology. With a new
car underneath him, this Islip Speedway veteran is looking to take
it up a notch and contend for the win in 2002.
Charlie
Rittenhouse returned to the track after a year-plus absence.
In 2002 he will be running the #25 with backing from King
Bear Automotive.
The
#8 of Dan Turbush is unchanged for 2002.
Dan’s son Roger took the car out for a spin though in one
session and had a blast. For
the Turbushs racing is definitely in the blood as all have the need
for speed it seems.
Another
driver making his debut was the #29 of A.J. Sangilione.
A.J. had a nice looking car indeed and this newcomer may turn
heads if he races as well as his paint scheme stands out.
Chris
McGuire also made his Charger debut today.
McGuire had some nice runs in 2001 in his Blunderbust but bad
luck would always seem to strike. Maybe with the new car, McGuire can shake that bad luck away
and take down the elusive win.
Tom
St. Clair also had a new car on hand which was immaculately painted.
However the #56 would experience trouble during the day,
which would hinder their practice.
Barry
Stanchio also had a new paint scheme as he returns to action in
2002. Stanchio had some
strong runs in the past and if the new paint scheme can rekindle
that hot streak, Stanchio can contend for the win this upcoming
year.
Late
Models
The
Late Models were out strong in number as well, with many taking the
opportunity to shake down their cars on a beautiful day.
Remaining unchanged from 2001 included #6 of Chris Mangels,
#10 of Scott Kulesa, #12 of Dennis Krupski, #15 of Wes Zaleski, #53
of Larry LaFountaine, and #98 of Doug Wholey.
The
#23 Ford of Kevin Metzger was shaked down by former Modified
competitor Ken Matlach. Matlach
was one of the fastest cars of the day and looked to have a ball out
at Riverhead once again. Matlach’s
2002 plans will include running a Street Stock at Wall Township
Speedway in New Jersey.
The
#39 of RJ Oxee carried a new paint scheme for 2002, as it is yellow
for the 2002 championship campaign. This seasoned veteran is still looking for his first
championship and perhaps with a new color it will turn his luck
around and win the 2002 gold. Time
will tell.
The
#72 Pontiac of Greg Kleila was sporting a new 2002 Pontiac body but
unfortunately no sponsors as well. Kleila probably is the most meticulous of anyone in the Late
Models with clean looking cars and definitely one of the contenders
night in and night out. However
his lack of sponsorship may curb his championship hopes this
upcoming season.
Fresh
from racing at Thompson the previous week was Anthony DeMonte in the
#45 Ford Taurus. This
new car features some new graphic highlights to its paint scheme and
is dazzling to say the least. The
team is looking forward to the new year and is very hopeful that a
win is on its way shortly. The
outlook does look promising.
The
mysterious red and white Ford in the Late Models was the #25 of Joe
Daly. Daly’s a rookie
to racing cars but not to racing itself, as he was a fabricator for
Cale Yarborough Motorsports a couple years ago.
Daly will join a bunch of newcomers to the Late Model ranks
for 2002.
The
#7 Dodge of Chris LaSpisa was at the track but was shaken down by
Billy Eastman. This car
will become the #9 on opening night if it isn’t sold and will be
driven by Eastman. LaSpisa
will drive his new mount, the former #99 of Mark Tooker, on opening
night.
Keith
Rotzi made his stockcar debut today in the red and white #21
Chevrolet Camaro. Keith
ran really well in his first time out in a stockcar and is looking
for to his rookie campaign in 2002.
His father Peter will drive the #27 as a team car to his son
in 2002.
Modifieds
Many
Modifieds were on hand as well to get some practice in.
Virtually unchanged from 2002 are the #8x of Eddie
Brunnhoelzl Jr., #12 of Dan Jivanelli, #20 of Bill Park, #25 of
Frank Saladino, #42 of Ron Hlatky, and #49 of Chris Young.
Go-Kart
champion Ken Vogel Jr. made his stockcar debut in the #77 Modified.
Vogel and his father Ken Sr. shook down the car in
preparation for his rookie campaign in 2002.
Steve
Ralston made his return to Riverhead in the #95 Modified.
Ralston wrecked really hard to years ago which bent
everything in the car. After
a year off to recuperate Ralston is back and looking forward to a
good year in the Modifieds.
Gershow
Motorsports shook down two cars, the #2 and #02, one of which
sported a pretty purple metallic.
J.R. Bertuccio had a strong run at Thompson the week before
until a oil line broke ending his day early.
Bertuccio would like to thank Wood’s Towing, JYD
Enterprises, and Gershow Recycling for their support in 2002.
Ed
Densieski also debuted a slightly new paint scheme on his #24 for
2002 and it’s as immaculate as ever for the veteran racer.
Chuck
Steuer debuted his new Troyer, which looked sharp in first practice.
Now with some quality equipment underneath him again, Steuer
should be one to watch in the upcoming season.
Mike
Andrews, Jr.’s car is virtually unchanged from last year with the
exception of a number change from #74x to #10x.
Andrews is looking for a quality season to follow up on a
learning season this past year.
John
Merschoff III made his Modified debut in the #94 from the Spirit 9a
Racing stables. Merschoff
will have his hands full in 2002 with turning wrenches on his uncle
Al’s #9a and #93 as well as turning left with his #94.
Also
on hand was the #6 Modified of Tom Rogers, Jr., which should provide
an opportunity to show what Rogers’ can do with fenderless
stockcars. If its
anything like what he can do in a Figure 8, then expect Rogers to be
up front in the near future.
The
#50 DeWalt Modified of Kevin Goodale made its debut.
This young racer is hoping for a successful rookie campaign
as well this upcoming season as many other rookies are in this large
rookie class for 2002.
Figure
8’s
Although
it didn’t seem like it, quite a few Figure 8’s were on hand.
In attendance but virtually unchanged were the #4 of Anthony
Nunziata, #6 of Rick Swanson, #22 of Bill Batsche, #27 of Ed
Mistretta, and the #47 of “Slim Jim” Donaldson.
George
Sprague had his car on hand virtually unchanged as well but had the
addition of ESP Racing to its sponsors.
ESP Racing is your NASCAR Collectibles shop, located in
Huntington Station off of Route 110.
Mike
Schwarz made his Figure 8 debut in the #14, formerly of Carl Baxter.
Schwarz had driven almost everything at Riverhead and now is
taken up the challenge of the X and is looking forward to it.
He will be teammate with the #4 of Ed Stein this upcoming
year.
Tom
Rogers Jr. debuted a dazzling purple metallic Dodge Intrepid during
practice. Rogers always
has a sharp car underneath him, but his was one of those that really
stood out during the practice day.
Also
on hand was the #8 of Ron Harrison sporting new colors of black and
blue. Harrison is
looking to run fulltime this upcoming season once again and
hopefully with some new colors come new luck.
Next week
we’ll report more on the new faces in new places for 2002.
Until then, stay tuned to LongIslandJam.com for late breaking
developments.
Sources:
LongIslandJam.com/J.A. Ackley
Posted: April 13, 2002
