04/26/2002

ANOTHER NIGHT AT MEDFORD
by Stacey Holmberg

    As the second race of the season took place on Friday night, everyone was elated that the weather had held out since last week was a rain out.   Once again, just like the first night, there were some questions to be asked.  This week's questions were:  "What's the best part about racing with other people?"  "How long do you plan on racing for?" and "Who is your favorite NASCAR Winston Cup Driver?"  Here is what some drivers had to say:

John Gloor (Jr. 2):  "The best part about racing with other people would have to be the competition."  "Racing is going to stay in my blood forever."  "My favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr."

Anthony Rizzo (Sr. Champ):  "The best part about racing with other people is just to have fun."  "I plan on racing as long as I can."  "My favorite driver
is Rusty Wallace."

Joseph Rizzo (Jr. Champ):  "The best part about racing with other people is
to just have fun."  "I plan on racing all my life."  "My favorite driver is
Dale Earnhardt."

Andrew Reeve (Novice):  "The best part about racing with other people is just getting use to it."  "I plan on racing forever."  "My favorite driver is Dale
Earnhardt."

John LaGrega (Sr. Champ):  "The best part about racing other people is the competition."  "I plan on racing as long as I can."  "My favorite driver is
Dale Earnhardt Jr."

Nick Conroy (Jr. Restricted):  "The best part about racing against others is having a lot of competition."  "I plan on racing forever."  "My favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr."

Joe Burns (Jr. Sportsman Champ):  "The best part about racing other people is having fun and winning.  Winning feels good, because I won my heat race."  "I plan on racing as long as I can."  "My favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr."

Joe Tuffarelli (Jr. Sportsman Champ):  "The best part about racing with other people is having fun and winning."  "I plan on racing until I die."  "My favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr."

Joe Palmieri (Medium):  "I think it's always more fun racing with other people especially when you are following others.  Or even when you are ahead of others.  It's even more exciting when you have to catch other people.  It's just FUN."  "I think I might just race one more year, and then hopefully I might go to a car."  "My favorite driver(s) are Dale Earnhardt, Mike Wallace, and all the DEI drivers."

Ryan Hofmann (Jr. 2):  "The best part about racing with other people is just having fun."  "I plan on racing forever."  "Mine and my cousin, Dale, both like Dale Eanrhardt Jr."

Eric Hersey (Jr. 2):  "The best part about racing with other people is how you can race side by side without getting hurt."  "I plan on racing until I die."  "My favorite driver is Bobby Labonte."

Vinny Delaney (Jr. Restricted):  "The best part about racing against other people is passing them."  "I plan on racing until I die."  "My favorite driver is Jeff Gordon."

    After talking with the drivers, and they made sure their karts were ready to go, racing went under way.

Novice
     The Novice class was very close and very consistent.  Andrew Reeve took an early lead and took down the feature win, with Ryan Mentnech 2nd, David Schneider 3rd, and Brian Grennan 4th.

Jr. Sportsman 1
    In this class, the drivers had a little trouble getting started, it took 3 times to get the green flag flying.  After the green flew, Dylan Polis and Lauren Kasky had tangled, but they were okay.  This race was the debut for Lauren Kasky in Junior I, she moved up from Novice.  The pack was consistent, with Timmy Lutz taking the lead and winning the feature, with Kenny Hyde 2nd, Dylan Polis 3rd and Lauren Kasky 4th.

Jr. Sportsman 2
    John Gloor had taken the early lead in the 40 lapper double points race of the night.  Gloor after 10 laps had a half of a straightway lead over Eric Hersey.  Ryan Hofmann and Michelle Furia were close battling for 3rd and Furia got it.  On lap 25 Hersey was gaining on Gloor, than by lap 27 he had taken the lead.  After taking the lead, just like Gloor, he had the half of a straightway lead.  Hersey took the double points win with Furia 2nd and
Hofmann 3rd.

Jr. Sportsman Champ "B"
    Joe Tuffarelli and Brian Hansen battled early on, but Tuffarelli would eventually take the lead.  Frankie Vigliarolo III and Cody Triola did not start the feature event.  By lap 19 Tuffarelli and Hansen were very close to one another, but with two laps to go, Hansen tried to pass Tuffarelli, but he didn't have enough.  So Tuffarelli won with Hansen 2nd.

Jr. Sportsman Champ "A"
    Joe Burns took an early lead with Kevin Gordon not far behind.  With Burns leading the whole race and then with two laps to go Gordon makes his move and passes Burns to win the feature event.  Great racing by the both these future stars of racing.

Jr. Champ
    Eric Hersey takes early lead but by lap 15, he had tangled with Nicole Vigliarolo, but Hersey still maintained the lead.  With Joseph Rizzo behind the two, Hersey took down his second win of the night with Nicole Vigliarolo second and Rizzo third.

Jr. Restricted
    Nick Conroy and Vinny Delaney were the only racers in this division and they were evenly spread apart but they were both consistent.  With Conroy taking the lead and Delaney finishing second.

Amateur
    New comer Alex Siwoszek was the only one in the class, so it was good for him to get used to the track. 

Medium
    Neil Blatt and Mike Lodi were close in the beginning, but Blatt had taken a straightway lead on the pack.  With Lodi, Joe Orlando, and Dave Manoogian following Blatt.  Blatt took the win with Lodi 2nd, Orlando 3rd, and Manoogian 4th.

Sr. Champ
    John Denniston took the early lead and maintained it throughout the race with Anthony Rizzo and John LaGrega close behind.  With Denniston winning, LaGrega 2nd and Rizzo 3rd.

    For another good night of racing that went on at Medford Raceway.  Until next week for more battling action and questions to be answered, stay tuned to LongIslandJam.com.

Sources:  Stacey Holmberg/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:  April 29, 2002