Jim O’Connor’s beautiful Mark Martin Eagle One #6 look alike
has been sold to former competitor Bobby Buroker, which will field the car
for his son for 2002. The #6
has gone on to many victories at Riverhead, so Buroker’s son will
definitely have a good piece of equipment underneath him.
O’Connor will continue to race, but on a limited schedule up in New
England, in a Fred Dunlap owned car. Other
than that, O’Connor plans to help out the #72 Late Model of Greg Kleila. If other opportunities arise, O’Connor may jump into a car
once again.
Scott Lehmann has
announced that Mortgage One has renewed its sponsorship of his #16 charger.
With the added commitment from Mortgage One, Scott Lehmann will be
changing the body of the car from its dated 1995 Pontiac Grand Prix style to
the new Chevrolet Monte Carlo body. In
addition to the upgrade in body, Lehmann has also upgraded his horsepower
department, by obtaining a new motor from Race Engines by McBetts.
Lehmann
earned 3 top 10’s last season at Riverhead Raceway in a car basically
unchanged from a couple years ago when it last ran.
Come this season Scott Lehmann should have a stronger car to deal
with and should be up front quite bit more often in 2002.
After the Riverhead season is complete, Lehmann plans on running some
Connecticut events as well.
Spabco Racing, Chris Beutler, and the #21 Pontiac have
announced the addition of Sikkens Paint. Sikkens Paint will be
supplying Spabco Racing with all the supplies necessary to keep the #21
looking sharp. In addition NDA Construction and Medford Pasteria have
renewed their sponsorship commitments to the #21 Pontiac of Chris Beutler as
well. However, these sponsors will all be in the associate role and
Spabco Racing is looking for the one major sponsor to propel them to the
front in 2002. For more information about how to contact Spabco Racing
and their stats and information from 2001, please click here.
LATE MODELS
Peter Rotzi has changed his number from 02 to 27.
Earlier this year, Peter Rotzi dubbed 2002 the year of the #02 Late
Model and Peter Rotzi, but with the change, Rotzi has discarded idea.
Nevertheless, with his son as a teammate in the #21, it may very well
be the year of Rotzi, as Peter Rotzi has shown some potential in 2001 and
his son is accomplished go-kart racer.
However time will tell.
MODIFIEDS
#4
Beato Fuel Modified driver, Henry Cataldo, has purchased a chassis from the
#31 Modified Tour team of Tony Ferrante, Jr.
The 2000 Blunderbust champion had a slow start in 2001, but at the
end of the season Cataldo begun to get the hang of racing a light and
powerful machine. Cataldo was
very dominant in the Blunderbust ranks and it will be sooner than later that
Cataldo will once again visit Riverhead Raceway victory lane.
Donny
Lia and the #18 Huntington Honda Chevrolet has announced their intentions of
running full-time on the Featherlite Modified Series circuit.
Lia had a phenomenal year, with 2 wins and some top-notch runs.
Lia should be one to watch in 2002 Featherlite Modified Series as he
continues to surprise everyone on his ability to race a car.
Gregg
Shivers and the #23 Olsen’s Discount Nurseries Pontiac is planning on
running a part-time Modified Series schedule along with a part-time
Riverhead schedule. The 2000 Late Model champion had a decent year last year in
the Modifieds and as Shivers gains more experience in the potent
open-wheeled Modifieds, Shivers should return to victory lane once again.
RIVERHEAD RACEWAY
Riverhead Raceway
announced quite a few personnel changes at the annual winter meeting on
January 27th. #98x
charger driver, Frank Bonsignore has hung up his helmet to become the Chief
Starter. His assistant will remain to be Joe Larsen Jr.
In addition, Keri
Brunnhoelzl will become the assistant handicapper for 2002, assisting racing
veteran and handicapper Bob Kopplin.
The announcing booth
will have the new addition of Jeff Bressler of Speed Racing Radio to the
team as Bill Finan has gone off to pursue other opportunities.
The Bob Finan-Jeff Bressler combo should prove very potent and with
the new PA system, it should be fun to listen to the commentary in 2002.
All
in all, Riverhead is continuing to improve its facilities and if the little
birdie is telling it right, more changes may be in store for the historic
track.
