08/10/2003

RIVERHEAD MILLER LITE NIGHT HONORS TO MIKE ANDREWS JR.
    Popular Mike Andrews Jr. of Quogue scored his second NASCAR Modified feature event win of 2003 this past Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway earning $1,500 on Miller Lite night. The fact the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series show was completed after a torrential down pour just prior to the features was a tribute to Barbara and Jim Cromarty and their hard working staff and unheralded track crew.
    Kevin Goodale jumped to the early lead  Chuck Steuer pressed Goodale for the first five laps but on lap 6 Chuck tried three-wide racing going into the third and fourth corner with Andrews on the outside of Goodale. Steuer and Goodale got together forcing both to the pits, with Andrews riding the outside groove unscathed.
    The ensuing restart found Andrews lining up with Tom Rogers Jr. on the double file order and the two former Eastern Kart Racing rivals would renew their kart days, this time in 600 horsepower NASCAR Modifieds. Andrews would maintained  his lead when the green reappeared with Rogers in tow. Tom unsuccessfully tested Mike at first peekiing to the inside exiting the corners.
    At the checker Mike Andrews Jr., an 18-year old heartthrob among his generation, scored the victory in the Jessup Landscaping Chevy. "That was fun racing with Tommy like that. We used to go at it in go-karts, but now the stakes are much higher" Mike quipped. "I have to thank my hard working crew along with Jarrod Hayes's Late Model crew who pitched in for us" Mike concluded.
    Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue was a close runner-up in the Sunburst Tree Experts entry, with Ken Heagy of Riverhead third in the One Fish, Two Fish Seafood Restaurant Chevy. Point leader John Fortin of Holtsville and Bill Park of Manorville completed the top five.    A jubilant "Might" Mike Mortimer of Mastic Beach for the first time in his career now owns a multi-win season with his triumph in the 25-lapFormula 113 Car Wax Late Model feature. "Big" Walt DeMorris jumped to the early lead in the contest and for the first 10 laps the "one man band" set the tone. Bill Rosskamp, Kevin Metzger and Dave Brigati all took turns in testing DeMorris for the lead, but the race would not change complexion until lap 11.
    On that 11th circuit DeMorris bobbled exiting turn two ever so slightly allowing Mike Mortimer and point leader Glenn Tyler to slip underneath for first and second. Tyler went right to work on Mortimer, but his thought process would change later in the race. Tyler's nearest rival in points Peter Eriksen dropped from the race with 7 laps to go and that made Glenn race for the big picture. In the end it was Mike Mortimer in the Island Aerial Ads Pontiac scoring the win after which he stated, "I'm so excited, I've never won more than once in a season". Glenn Tyler of Hampton Bays was runner-up in the Sypher Construction Pontiac with Scott Kulesa of Calverton third in the Ranco Sand & Stone entry.
    Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue won his sixth Figure Eight feature event of 2003 in a 25-lap, double point contest. One week earlier Rogers had to ward off Roger Maynor and George Sprague for the win, this week was different, but not much. After Guy Loomis, Tim Farrell and Jim Donaldson all took turns leading the first three laps, Ken Hyde powered his way to the front on lap 4. Hyde, who is hungry for a win, looked for a spell as if he might visit victory lane, but on lap 7 Rogers took second away from Dennis Kurras and set sail for Hyde. On lap 12 Rogers, steering the Ford Swimming Pools Dodge, made the winning move racing to the lead and eventual win. Ken Hyde of Medford in the Jomac's Towing Beretta was runner-up with George Sprague of N. Patchogue third in the ESP Racing Chevy.
    "Jumping" Jack Orlando of Riverhead secured his second win of the year when he won the 20-lap, double point Charger feature. After Rusty Turbush set fast time in time trials, clocking 13.580, the top six redrew for starting positions. Early in the tilt it was young upcoming Brad Van Houten showing the way with cagey veteran Jack Orlando hot on his heels. Van Houten was doing all he could and then some to try and keep Orlando behind him and on lap 10 he looped off the fourth corner allowing Jack to take the lead. That also moved Rusty Turbush to second and for the next 10 laps the tandem would race nose to tail in that order. When the checker flag waved it was Jack Orlando in the Glamour Transportation Olds across the line first, with Rusty Turbush of Manorville second in the Northeastern Office Equipment Pontiac. Point leader "Dynamite" Dan Turbush of Hampton Bays padded his lead even further with a third in the Carpet Express Chevy.
    The Super Pro Trucks were first on the track after an hour and a half rain delay caused by a heavy thundershower and the "tailgate brigade" came shining through with a non-stop 20-lap main event. Former champion Frank Dumicich Sr. of Mastic scored his first victory of 2003. Dumicich took full advantage of his pole starting berth and outside pole sitter and his son, Frank Jr, would chased dad for the first 7 laps. In the 8th lap Lou Maestri, who is in the thick of the championship hunt passed Dumicich Jr. for second and then tried unsuccessfully to pass Dumicich Sr. However the only hitch in Frank's night came when he tried to do doughnuts on the wet infield that did not pan out. Lou Maestri of Deer Park was runner-up in the Joe's Auto Repair machine, while Mike Albasini of Bayside turned in a solid effort for third in the Major Police & Fire Supply entry.
    In a rock'em and sock'em Full Size School Bus Demolition Derby Walter Stroud of Yaphank would out last ten other buses. Stroud in the Peanuts Bar & Grill bus beat out such tested tough veterans like Bob "Whiplash" Genovese, "Slim" Jim Donaldson and Eugene Malverty among others to earn the hard fought victory. The buses will have one more Demolition Derby on the season Saturday, September 20th

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