04/08/2005

TOM ROGERS JR. TO START TITLE DEFENSE APRIL 30

    For the past three seasons on Long Island Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue has won a championship at Riverhead Raceway, most recently in 2004 the NASCAR Modified title backing-up his 2002 and 2003 Figure Eight crowns. Can the 26-year old talent start his-own dynasty with four championships in as many years? The answer will start to unfold Saturday evening April 30th at Barbara and Jim Cromarty's quarter mile speed plant.
    Up until a month or so ago Rogers wasn't exactly sure what the 2005 campaign had in store for him, but at the recent Suffolk Association of Figure Eight Racing awards banquet the picture began to clear for the soft spoken talent. "We are going to start our season at Riverhead" Tom disclosed. "We had hoped maybe to do some NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour racing, but financing is just not there" Rogers who did not suffer a DNF until the final points race when he already had his championship sewed-up will again represent the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Long Island. "We'll pretty much take it race by race like we did last year" Tom concluded.
    A fine mixture of veteran and young challengers await Tom Rogers Jr.  Chief among them is five-time champion Wayne Anderson, who hopes to break a three-way tie with Charlie Jarzombek and Don Howe for the most career championships. Wayne has armed himself with a 2004 Troyer Engineering chassis for the title fight. Another former champion Bill Park, who debuted a 2004 Troyer late last year has added a 2005 machine to his team for the new season and he is also loaded for bear.
    Mike Andrews Jr. will lead the brigade of "young lions" into battle for the NASCAR Modified crown in 2005 and joining him will be 2004 Rookie of the Year John Denniston and Sal Accardi Jr. another solid freshman driver from last year. Add to that list Jimmy Blewett in the Eddie Partridge's machine and the new generation is looking very strong indeed.
    Among the other teams to watch in 2005 in the season long battle for the NASCAR Modified championships are some tested tough and young veterans. Among them are Joe Hartmann, Lenny Fischer, Ken Heagy, Ed Brunnhoelzl Jr., Chuck Steuer, and Dan Jivanelli.
    Two drivers who ran a part-time schedule in 2004 could very well be part of the mix in 2005 if they decide to call Riverhead home as both Chris Young and J.R. Bertuccio are a threat week in and week out.
    Fact is from the pole car to the car that starts scratch on the field, be it a 20, 22 or 24 car feature the weekly NASCAR Modified field is the strongest of any track than runs the class in these United States. Riverhead Raceway fans are fortunate to have all that talent right in their backyard!
    All the point chasing and open wheel excitement will start Saturday night April 30th with a 35-lap main event. Rounding out the card will be the Late Models, Figure Eights, Chargers, Blunderbusts and Super Pro Trucks. Feature event racing will begin at 6:00 pm, qualifying starts at 4:30 pm.
    For further details please call 631-842-RACE or visit www.riverheadraceway.com.

Source:  Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:  April 10, 2005