01/15/2002
Word from the Pits…
by J.A. Ackley
BLUNDERBUSTS
Eric Barile has informed LongIslandJam.com that he has recently acquired
the #13 Blunderbust of Bill Eastman. Eric Barile known for his clean
and well-maintained cars in the Enduros will be taking 2002 off to prepare
for a 2003 campaign. One thing is certain, and that is by the time
Eric is done refurbishing the car, it should be one of the nicest out there.
LATE MODELS
Its confirmed, the #99 of Mark Tooker has been sold to #7 Late Model
competitor Chris LaSpisa. LaSpisa has had some strong runs with his
aged, but still fast racecar. With some quality equipment underneath
him, Chris may be up front contending for the win, night in and night out.
In addition, the new colors of Roger Oxee, #39 The Helman Group Pontiac
has been announced. The red has been cast away in favor of their new
color, yellow. It's going to be a little weird first seeing Oxee in a
yellow car, but I am sure as the season progresses, the fans will get used
to it. And hey, if it earns Oxee his first championship, the color
can't be all bad, can it?
Anthony DeMonte and
the #45 L&T Plumbing Late Model has a new website.
The DeMonte Motorsports site can found at http://demonte45.longislandracer.com.
In addition to DeMonte’s Riverhead schedule, Anthony DeMonte is
planning to run some out of state shows as well.
Also, DeMonte Motorsports plans have a team car to Anthony’s for
the Late Model Mini-Series events at Riverhead Raceway. Anthony DeMonte’s teammate is not yet determined, but is
one more addition to the increasing amount of two-car teams now at Riverhead
Raceway. DeMonte’s 2002
season will be a busy one indeed and be sure to check in frequently to
DeMonte’s site for the latest news on this up and coming racer in the Late
Model ranks of Riverhead Raceway.
MODIFIEDS
In Modified competition, the previously reported 2002 rookie of the year
candidate, Larry Goodale is in actuality Kevin Goodale. Many media
outlets have been reporting him as Larry, including LongIslandJam.com, and
we at LongIslandJam.com apologize for the error.
COMMUNITY
A couple of community issues have come up.
Firstly, the ever lovable Zachary Leider has had a setback
unfortunately. For those who may not know who Zachary is, Zachary is a
kid who is battling what appears to be a terminal case of Stage IV of
Neuroblastoma. His body isn't responding to conventional methods of
treatment and his family has recently resorted to experimental treatments
which is not covered by medical insurance in an effort to cure the
disease. If you would like to send get well wishes, or anything to
cheer up this youngster stricken with this horrible disease, his address is
18 Natick Street, Islip Terrace, NY, 11752-1610. Zachary favs are
dolphins, Scooby Doo, and the #36 M&M's car.
In other news, much concern has been brought up about the Westhampton
race facility. In a recent news story from Newsday, it has been
revealed that plans for the Westhampton track include it being turned into
residential homes. In order to do this the track must be rezoned to
residential.
Mikel Beck has a online petition up to protest the decision of rezoning
the track to residential and it can be found at http://www.petitiononline.com/demon513/petition.html.
Remember you may not race there, and may not even like drag racing, but
racing is racing, and who says if Westhampton goes, that it may set a
precedent for other tracks to be turned into shopping malls, golf courses,
etc. Please support our
racing brothers, although we may race different types of racing, we all race.
Source: J.A.
Ackley/LongIslandJam.com
Posted: January 15, 2002
