Of the six 2005 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series champions at Riverhead Raceway, all but one will be back for a title defense in 2006 beginning with the opening night action on Saturday May 6th at 6:00 pm.

    Bill Park of Manorville will be back to defend his NASCAR Modified championship from last year as will Roger Oxee of Peconic in the Late Models, George Sprague of N. Patchogue in the Figure Eights, Scott Maliszewski of Deer Park in the Blunderbusts and Lou Maestri of Deer Park in the Super Pro Trucks.

    Only “Dynamite” Dan Turbush of Riverhead will relinquish his Charger crown as just days after authoring his third straight title in that class he struck a deal to drive Doug Wholey’s Late Model as a “rookie” in 2006.

    Just two days after his 59th birthday Bill Park will race in the opening night 35-lap NASCAR Modified feature and start what will be a very tough championship defense. Among those favored to dethrone Park are Chuck Steuer, Wayne Anderson, Dan Jivanelli, Howie Brode, Chris Young, Joe Hartmann Eddie Brunnhoelzl III, Dave Sapienza and Ken Heagy.

    Over in the Late Model paddock Roger Oxee will have to fend off the likes of Jarrod Hayes, Greg Kleila, Mike Mortimer, Dave Brigati, Scott Kulesa, Jack Orlando, Rob Tribuzio and of course the ‘freshman’ driver Dan Turbush.

    George Sprague looks to also gun for his second championship and if he’s to repeat he’ll have to hold at bay the likes of Roger Maynor, Mike Mujsce, Jim Donaldson, Tom Kraft, Carl Baxter, Ken Hyde and Tom Ferrara.

    The wide-open race for the 2006 Charger championship will find the likes of Rusty Turbush, Eric Goodale, Chris Turbush, Chris McGuire, Mike Coll and Eric Lutz all testing each other over the course of the season.

    Over in Blunderbust land Scott Maliszewski will have to watch the likes of Tommy Walkowiak, Wayne Okula, Artie Pedersen Jr., Dale Arnold, Tom Sullivan, Bill Wegmann, Doug Watson and Paul Parisi during a season long slugfest.

    As for the “tailgate brigade”, Lou Maestri will have to keep his eyes on such drivers as Bob Gardner, Dave Brigati, both Frank Dumicich Sr. & Jr., Dan Turbush and Troy Ferdinando.

    The championship battles for the 2006 NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series at Riverhead Raceway will again be intense and round one should really heat up the spring night on Saturday May 6th at 6:00 pm.

    For more information please dial 631-842-RACE or visit our website at www.riverheadraceway.com.

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