05/10/2003

J.R. BERTUCCIO MAKES IT TWO STRAIGHT AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY
By Bob Finan

    This past Saturday night J.R. Bertuccio of Centereach gave himself an early birthday present with his second Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified victory in as many starts.  Bertuccio, who was forced to the rear due to an early race tangle, recovered in time to take home the $1,460 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series payday.
    Asked afterwards if the win was more satisfying coming from the rear the 22-year old stated, "Yes, it's more fun to come from the back. The car isn't all that pretty right now, but it was still big and strong."
    Lew Hallock paced the 20 car field for the first two circuits before Tom Rogers Jr. raced by on lap 3 for the lead. Mike Andrews Jr. came to second on lap 4, but just one lap later Mike spun, setting off the incident that caught up Bertuccio among others.  Rogers would resume in the lead when the race restarted with Kevin Goodale giving chase for a spell before Mike Andrews Jr. moved to second on lap 9. Two laps later Frank Vigliarolo Jr. would sit second after a multi-car tangle in turn 4 claimed Andrews and Chris Young on lap 10.
    On the ensuing double file restart Vigliarolo, who came from 15th, overpowered Tom Rogers Jr. for the lead exiting turn 4.  Meanwhile J.R. Bertuccio was methodically working his way through the pack and came to second on lap 16. The following seven laps, including two restarts, saw Vigliarolo and Bertuccio play a game of cat and mouse, with J.R. working his way by on lap 23 for the lead and eventual win.
    At the finish the Gershow Motorsports Chevy with J.R. Bertuccio took the win, with Frank Vigliarolo Jr. of Mt. Sinai having to settle for second in the Empire Water Dodge. Joe Hartmann of Riverhead after running second midway through the contest came home third in the Princeton Review entry, with Ken Heagy of Riverhead and Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue completing the top five.
    When the 25-lap Late Model feature event was checkered there was no happier man on Long Island than Doug Wholey of Centereach who went wire to wire to score his first career victory. When the green light flashed on Wholey in his Dart Fuel Oil Chevy sped out front with Jarrod Hayes moving to second. For the next 22 laps Hayes threw everything but the kitchen sink at Wholey in an attempt to overtake the highflying leader. Doug was equal to every challenge Jarrod made.  Looming right behind Hayes were noted talents Greg Kleila and Peter Eriksen who were closing in fast.
    With just three laps to go Kleila, Eriksen and Roger Oxee all scrambled by Hayes and quickly set their sights on Wholey, who had to hold off three of the best in the business in order to enjoy that first ever win. Indeed Doug Wholey was equal to the task and drove to victory lane and a wild celebration.  Greg Kleila of Lindenhurst grabbed runner-up honors in the Racingcreations.com Pontiac, while Peter Eriksen of Baldwin placed third in the Rose Fence entry. Roger Oxee of Peconic and Jarrod Hayes of Calverton rounded out the top five.
    Another driver batting 1,000% in 2003 is defending Figure Eight champion Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue who is now two for two after his 20-lap win Saturday night. Will "The Thrill" Farrell set the tone for the first 6 laps before former champion Tom Kraft raced by for the lead. Tom's stay out front lasted two laps as on the 9th circuit both Tom Rogers Jr. and Roger Maynor moved by Kraft. Over the final half of the race Maynor was able to stay close to Rogers and on one occasion was able to pull alongside. However in the end Tom Rogers in the Riverhead Auto Mall Dodge took the checker flag in front of Roger Maynor of Bay Shore in the Hummel, Hummel Bakery Dodge. Tom Kraft of Mastic Beach brought his un-sponsored mount home for third place money.
    For the 58th time in his illustrious career "Dynamite" Dan Turbush of Hampton Bays sat in the winner's circle when he won the 30-lap Charger main event. After Jack Orlando and David Roys swapped the lead for the first three laps, Orlando took control on lap 4 with Dan Turbush moving by Roys on that lap for second.  On lap 7 Turbush had to roll out of the throttle to avoid a spin, allowing Ray Minieri to slip by for second. Undaunted Turbush raced back by Minieri on lap12 for second and again glued himself to Orlando's rear bumper. Jack was handling all of Dan's threats for the lead, but on lap 22 a car that had just spun re-entered the track right in front of Orlando who lost several positions. This moved Dan Turbush into the lead and eventual win in the Carpet Express Chevy, as Dan held off protégé Rob Tribuzio of Riverhead in the Moutafis Motors entry for the final eight laps. Tribuzio was runner-up with "Radiant" Ray Minieri of Bay Shore third in the BFL Construction Pontiac.
    Once again the Blunderbust corps provided the fans with an action packed, edge of the seat feature event that saw Doug Watson of Islip Terrace enjoy his first career triumph. For the first 13 laps of the tilt Scott Sepe and Tom Sullivan entertained everyone with a see-saw, side by side race that saw the tandem swap the top spot no less than a half dozen times. With Sepe taking the lead on lap 13, Doug Watson started his march to the front working by Sullivan for second and then setting sail for Sepe. With just four laps to go Doug Watson moved his Over The Hill Racing machine by Scott Sepe for the lead, bringing to second with him Bryan Sescila. However there was no stopping Doug Watson as he scored the popular victory. Jack Handley of Medford made a late race charge for runner-up money in the Jamaica Brake & Clutch entry, with Bryan Sescila of Baldwin third in the Victory Fleet Maintenance racer.
    Mike Jurkowski of Brentwood notched a green to checker flag victory when he scored the 20-lap Super Pro truck feature event win. At the drop of the green Jurkowski raced into the lead with Lenny Costa giving pursuit for the first two laps. On the third cycle Danny Grennan moved by Costa to the outside for second and went right to work on leader Jurkowski. For the following 17 laps Mike Jurkowski had his hands full with Danny Grennan, who peaked high and low to try and find an alley past the race leader. However in the end the DaVinci Tattoo entry of Mike Jurkowski scored with a second career SPT win. Danny Grennan of Glen Cove was runner-up in the Lamac Enterprises Chevy, with veteran Lou Maestri of Deer Park a close third in the Curiously Creative Candles Ford.

Sources:  Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:  May 13, 2003