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05/04/2006
2005 Late Model
Review
by J.A.
Ackley, "Professor"
Peter Milano
Well it's that time once again, with the season fast
approaching, the grade reports are rolling in! This year,
not only the Professor has his say, so does the Jam Man - J.A. Ackley.
In addition to the "Jam Panel of Performance Review," we
will give you, the fans, a chance to grade the competitors
as well.
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1) Roger
Oxee
#39 Helman Group Pontiac
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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The biggest championship win of 2005 - Roger
had many seasons having the championship in
hand to only lose it with only a few races
left in the year. Could that happen again?
Roger had to sweat it out once again, up to
the last checkered flag, but he finally did
it. What an amazing year for Oxee and team,
for the grade I gave him last year, he came
up to me modest enough to say he didn't
deserve the grade given to him, it was too
much! He no doubt worked hard and deserves
an A+ |
|
J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| After many years of
trying, the Red Sox won the World Series,
and after many years of trying, Roger Oxee
wins the championship. They say the
first win is the hardest, does that mean
2006 will be his second championship?
A+ |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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A+
16 races, 2 wins, 6 top 5's, 14
top 10's |
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2) Jarrod
Hayes
#08 Paul Signs Chevy
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
|
He pushed hard but never earned the checker
flag by end of the night at Riverhead in
2005. He climbed up the points and took
advantage of 7 top fives and 13 top tens
with only missing Oxee by 14 points. Another
race in the schedule and we could have seen
a different winner! I was kind of
disappointed to not see J-Rod in victory
lane, but his team and his driving skills
had improved, as has his patience. But with
no win, A-. |
|
J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Hayes has continued to
mature into one fine driver, but his luck
wasn't with him in 2005. A few bad
finishes ruined his stellar performance.
And surprisingly, the "young gun" didn't
earn a win. Hopefully 2006 will be the
year Hayes earns the year-end gold. A |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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 |
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A
16 races, 0 wins, 7 top 5's, 13
top 10's |
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3) Greg
Kleila
#72 J&R's Steak House Pontiac
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Hard driver, but uses his head and keeps it
in the game, Greg accomplished the win, but
not the prize of champion. 2005, the Late
Models seemed the be the hardest division to
be king of the mountain. Anyone could have
walked away with the crown, but you had to
bite and claw your way to the top. 3 top
fives and 11 top tens, Greg gets an A. |
|
J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Kleila had a decent
season, but I think we expected more from
the veteran driver. 1 win, but in this
difficult, but talented class, you should be
very grateful with a third place point
finish. However, that's tough after
many years of trying. If Oxee did it
this year, maybe Kleila's year is coming
soon. A- |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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A
16 races, 1 win, 3 top 5's, 11
top 10's |
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4) Mike
Mortimer
#14 Mortimer Racing Pontiac
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Mighty Mike Mortimer, looked to be strong
when running up front, in fact when his car
is hooked up right and the cards in place,
look out because, this car will not be
denied to be in the victory lane photo! 2
big wins, Mike looked to be headed back to
victory lane a couple more times, but ended
up in other peoples mistakes and mishaps. 7
top fives and 9 top tens. A |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| The fan favorite, Mike
Mortimer is easy to cheer for and when
Mike's setup is on, he's on fire!
However, when Mike was off, he was off.
A lot of the times he was off was due to
issues which he could not prevent. With 2
wins, 4th place finish, that's not too
shabby. A- |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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A
16 races, 2 wins, 7 top 5's, 9
top 10's |
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5) Billy
Wheeler
#42 Chico's Bail Bonds Chevy
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
Billy Wheeler where did he come from
and where did he go at seasons end?
Billy looked to be primed to take
the title but seemed to fall toward
the last few races. With the slick
looking #42, Billy took home one
win, with 8 top fives and 11 top
tens. Wheeler's car looked
unstoppable many nights, that car
was built right! A-
|
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Wheeler was the pleasant
surprise of 2005. Wheeler possessed a
lot of finesse and a lot of poise which
added to the wealth of talent in the Late
Models. It's a shame Billy has moved down
South, as he added a lot to the class. A |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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A
15 races, 1 win, 8 top 5's, 11
top 10's |
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6) Dave
Brigati
#1x WPW Growers Dodge
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Dave Brigati, the fancy farmer, a.k.a. the
mayor, a.k.a. what division doesn't he race?
Had his hands on many cars or trucks,
whether on the track or off, it may have
hindered his on track performance a couple
of nights. He did manage 1 win in the Late
Models and 9 top fives, with 12 top tens,
but how hindering is that??? A- |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Brigati had rough start
to the season, but in the Late Models he had
an a-okay year. I hate to wonder though that
if Brigati just concentrated on the Late
Models, would he have had a year better than
just okay? B+ |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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A-
16 races, 1 win, 9 top 5's, 12
top 10's |
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7) Glenn
Tyler
#28 Spring & Summer Pontiac
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Glenn Tyler, where did he go??? His team has
been through a lot during last season, but
coming off with 4 wins the year before, to
none, has to humble a race car driver. 2006
is a clean slate and new division and a new
series for Glenn, so far he looks to be
headed back in the right direction. B- |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Tyler had a rough year
with the lost of his long-time car co-owner,
John Heather. Tyler seemed to still be
the Tyler of old, but just lacked that extra
spark. I along with many others are
looking forward to him moving up to the
Modified ranks. His style suits the
division very well. B |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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B
15 races, 0 wins, 8 top 5's, 12
top 10's |
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8) Scott
Kulesa
#10 Ranco Sand&Stone Pontiac
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Scott Kulesa, another driver who had been
through a lot away from the track. With
traveling time back and forth from the track
all the way from the Boston area, it may
have taken it's toll on Scott. How sweet was
that victory for young Scott this year? The
emotions must have been running high that
night. But as the same with Glenn, it wasn't
the typical season we are used to seeing out
Scott. B |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Along with Tyler, Kulesa
also had a rough year with out his mentor,
his father. However, Kulesa did manage to
eke out a win in honor of his hero, but
Kulesa's noted consistency was a bit off.
B |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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B
15 races, 1 win, 5 top 5's, 10
top 10's |
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9) Jack
Orlando
#99 Orlando Racing Dodge
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Jack Orlando used the same driving style he
was known for in the Chargers and no one is
complaining! Once Jack has the lead, no one
and as I've said in the past, no one is
going to be able to get past him. You want
the win from Orlando, you will have to drive
through him to earn it! Jack earned 2 wins
in '05 and had 3 top fives and 10 top tens.
B |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Orlando's smooth driving
style earned himself 2 wins. However,
in his Late Model rookie season, he earned a
mere 3 top 5's. I expected the Charger
front-runner up front some more, but I
expect that to happen this year with Orlando
becoming more comfortable with the more
powerful and better handling racers.
B |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
|
 |
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B
16 races, 2 wins, 3 top 5's, 10
top 10's |
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10) Rob
Tribuzio
#01 Riverhead Trailer Pontiac
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Rob Tribuzio, as with the other drivers in
the top ten in points, it was hard to give
anyone a bad grade because this division
excels in driving experience and driving
talent. Same applies to Tribuzio, whom
rounded out the top ten in 2005 with a win,
4 top fives and 8 top tens. B- |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| How many can say they
earned a win in the Late Models with a
Charger motor? Not many, and what a
win it was. Winning both a Charger and
a Late Model race in the same night.
However the highlight of the year was
hindered by a rough season otherwise.
B |
|
The Fans |
|
Vote Here |
|
 |
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B
16 races, 1 win, 4 top 5's, 8
top 10's |
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NEXT TIME: Modifieds |
Sources: J.A. Ackley/Peter Milano/LongIslandJam.com
Posted: May 4, 2006
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