05/14/2003

RIVERHEAD RACEWAY MILLER LITE WORTH  $64,675

    Another exciting Miller Lite 200 for the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series is set for Saturday evening June 7th at Riverhead Raceway.  Barbara and Jim Cromarty have announced that a purse $64,675 will be up for grabs in the 50 mile contest.

    The race is being backed by Miller Lite, a staple in the Riverhead Raceway marketing family since 1985 through their Long Island distributor Boening Brothers of Lindenhurst. Despite being the smallest track on the annual NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series trail, the Cromarty's continue to offer a handsome purse with the Miller Lite paying $1,293.50 per mile.

    Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT. is the defending race winner of the Miler Lite 200 and has already chalked up a 2003 victory in the Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway in April. Other 2003 winners looking to add to their win total at Riverhead will be Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, N.Y. who won the Thompson Icebreaker event and Rick Fuller of Auburn, Ma who won most recently at Waterford Speedbowl.

    Of course local talent J.R. Bertuccio of Centereach, the defending NASCAR Modified champion at Riverhead, is two for two in 2003 as of press time and he hopes to secure his first career FMS win in the event. Other Riverhead regulars expected to compete include Bill Park of Manorville, Joe Hartmann of Riverhead, Chuck Steuer of Bohemia and Ed Brunnhoelzl Jr. of Levittown. It was Brunnhoelzl who was the last Riverhead regular to win a FMS race in this very race in 1995.

    Leading the "Long Island Gang" of the FMS to their most local track on the circuit will be a rejuvenated "Tiger" Tom Baldwin of Bellport with his new team, along with talent laden young gun Donny Lia of Merrick. Former track champion Howie Brode of Bay Shore and Tony Ferrante of New Hyde Park will also be on hand seeking their first career FMS victory.

    A 28 car field will go green in the Miller Lite 200, with 23 cars to come from time trials. Positions 24 and 25 will go to FMS car owner provisional, with positions 26 and 27 to FMS driver provisional. The 28th position will be a FMS past champion provisional, if not used by a past champ it reverts back to a drivers provisional. There are no Riverhead provisionals available.

    Joining the Miller Lite 200 will be the Riverhead Raceway Charger and Blunderbust divisions on U.S. Marine Corps and Berryman night. Qualifying will go green with those two classes running their heat races, while the FMS time trials are slated to commence at 5:45 PM. After which the Charger and Blunderbust features will be contested, followed by the Miller Lite 200. The schedule is subject to change if weather conditions dictate.

    For additional information please contact the Riverhead Raceway office at 631-842-RACE or visit our website at www.riverheadraceway.com

Sources:  Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:  May 21, 2003