11/06/2004

RIVERHEAD 04 CHAMPIONS HONORED

    Some 450 people which included, race teams and sponsors gathered at the Melville Marriott this past Saturday night to salute the 204 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series champions of Barbara and Jim Cromarty's Riverhead Raceway. In addition to plenty of hardware being handed out, some $52,490 in point fund monies was also distributed.
    Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue was feted for his 2004 NASCAR Modified title along with his car owner and sister Cindy Berner. The team earned a cool $5,000 from an $18,760 2004 point fund and Berner was also named Owner of the Year in special awards. Rogers, who represents the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Long Island, was then awarded their annual drivers cup for his 2004 championship by presenter John Wellman.
    Second through fifth in NASCAR Modified points were, Mike Andrews Jr. ($3,000), Joe Hartmann ($1,700), John Fortin ($1,600) and Wayne Anderson ($1,450).
    John Denniston was named 2004 Rookie of the Year; with Joe Hartmann tabbed Most Improved and Mike Andrews Jr. voted the Best Appearing Car.
    The 21st annual Cromarty Dedication to Riverhead Raceway award was presented by Barbara and Jim to Wayne Anderson, who moments later was named the 1st winner of the Tom Baldwin Performance Award from JYD Enterprises making this night very special indeed for Wayne.
    Glenn Tyler of Hampton Bays for the second year in a row stepped to the front of the stage as Late Model champion, along with his car owners John & Sheryl Heather. The 2004 title was worth $2,700 to the championship tandem and the Heather's were named Owners of the Year as well.
    Dave Brigati ($2,000) was runner-up in Late Model points and completing the top five were Jarrod Hayes ($1,400), Roger Oxee ($1,000) and Mike Mortimer ($850).  A total of $11,390 was paid out to the Late Models in point fund money.
    Rob Tribuzio took Rookie of the Year honors while Doug Wholey was voted to have the Best Appearing Car.
    Roger Maynor of Bay Shore capped off a career season with his fifth Riverhead Raceway Figure Eight championship on the strength of nine feature event victories. Maynor earned $900 from a $5,700 point fund and was also voted Owner of the Year.
    Second through fifth were George Sprague ($800), Bill Steen ($700), Ken Darch ($650) and Paul Specht ($600).
    Fred Kraft won Rookie of the Year with Will Farrell named Most Improved Driver. Ken Darch took home Best Appearing Car honors.
    Another repeat champion in 2004 was "Dynamite" Dan Turbush of Riverhead who captured his third career Charger championship. The popular veteran along with his car owner/brother-in-law Ray Bouchard walked away with $1,200 from an $8,150 2004 Charger point fund. Bouchard, a former Craftsman Tool Mechanic of the Year was voted Owner of the Year.
    Young talent Mike Coll was tabbed Rookie of the Year while Chris Turbush won Best Appearing Car for the season.
    Tom Pickerell of Huntington enjoyed his first career championship when he walked to the stage as the 2004 Blunderbust champion. He and his wife Helen jointly own their car and earned $900 from a $4,000 Blunderbust point fund. They were also voted Owners of the Year.
    Chasing Pickerell in 2004 were, Eugene Malverty ($600), Doug Watson ($525), Scott Maliszewski ($425) and Bill Wegmann ($375). Wayne Okula was named the Best Appearing Blunderbust car for the year.
    Another career first champion came in the Super Pro truck ranks where Lou Maestri of Deer Park won the 2004 title and along with truck owner John Kirk collected $750 from a point fund of $3,890. They were also named Owners of the Year.
    Following Lou were Dave Brigati ($590), Dan Grennan ($450), Bryan Sescila ($400) and Mike Albasini ($375). Dave Brigati won Best Appearing Truck for 2004.
    Stan Wangenstein of Holtsville and Kevin Clarke of Rocky Point won the 2004 Train Race championship and earned $600 in post season awards. "Slim" Jim Donaldson of Shirley won the 2004 Car Rollover Contest title and was part of the annual "Parade of Champions"
    Barbara and Jim Cromarty and Chief Steward Bill Denniston presented a Service to Riverhead Raceway award to Marshall Lubin of Newsday. Doug Wholey also took home a plaque for his efforts not only on the track, but off the raceway as well.
    With all the awards being completed in a very timely fashion the banquet guests enjoyed two full hours of uninterrupted music, dancing and socializing which put the wrap on the 2004 Riverhead Raceway season.

Sources:  Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:  November 9, 2004