07/22/2005

BALDWIN TO BE REMEMBERED WITH 77-LAP MEMORIAL SAT.

    This Saturday night July 30th Barbara and Jim Cromarty will remember a NASCAR Modified legend when they host the Tom Baldwin Memorial 77 by Unique Golf at Riverhead Raceway. Aside from a base purse of $11,670 the 77-lap event will also pay an additional $4,670 in lap money to every car in the field per lap.
    The race is being run to salute one of NASCAR Modified racings most colorful personalities “Tiger” Tom Baldwin who passed away last August during a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race. Never one to mince words Baldwin wore his beloved NASCAR Modified division on his sleeve always seeking ways on and off the track to improve the class for all involved, owners, drivers and spectators. Tom was known as the “Leader of the Long Island Gang” another compliment to the fallen star.
    In his career Tom Baldwin racked-up 11 career wins at Riverhead Raceway with his first triumph on June 30th, 1978 and his last coming in a WMT event in a Miller Lite 200 June 6th, 1992.
    Aside from the $4,620 in lap money track officials announced that Larry Murdock Sr. and Jr. have posted $200 for the driver who sets fast time. Ray Shea, president of the Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club will have the #7 Crown Coupe that Tom raced at Islip Speedway on hand to serve as an honorary pace car.
    Time trials will determine the first portion of the starting grid with 20-cars slated to take the green flag, unless there are 28 or more cars on hand in which instance 24-cars will start this very special tribute.
    Joining the Buzz-Chew Chrysler-Dodge night action aside from the NASCAR Modifieds will be the Late Models, Figure Eights, Chargers, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and an 8-Cylinder Enduro. Time trials will start at 4:00 pm and as soon as all qualifying is completed the feature events will go green. Normally that would be at 6:00 pm, but with seven huge races on tap the main events will go right after qualifying.

Source:  Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:  July 24, 2005