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05/05/2006
2005 Modified
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) Bill
Park
#20 Smithtown Nissan Chevy
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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1997 champion, he took claim yet again of
the Modified title in 2005. Hands down had
one of the best rides at Riverhead. Not only
in the look department, but also in the
performance area. Down to the wire to the
final night, by only a mere 4 points over
Chuck Steuer, Bill Park was the man to beat
when the dust settled after season's end.
Claiming 1 win, with 7 top fives and 14 top
tens, Park had a great season. A+ |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Park, a long-time savvy
veteran at Riverhead, knows how's to win,
and he knows take the championship gold.
By remaining quietly under the radar with
solid finishes, Park claimed the 2005
championship with grace and finesse and by 4
points. A+ |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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A+
16 races, 1 win, 7 top 5's, 14
top 10's |
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2) Chuck
Steuer
#11x Savin Chevrolet
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Another former champ, Steuer was banging on
the door of the title, but it did not open
enough for him, as Steuer missed by a mere 4
points. Even though he didn't finish the
year with a win, he still was exceptional
with 8 top fives and 14 top tens. With a win
we could have been calling Chuck 2005 champ!
A+ |
|
J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| All Steuer needed was 4
points, that's three positions in a regular
race to take the Riverhead championship, or
a mere two in a double-pointer.
Steuer's loss is not to say he didn't have a
great year, but it was odd to see Steuer
without a win. 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, 8 top 5's, 14
top 10's |
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3) Mike
Andrews, Jr.
#10x Prestigious Prop. Chevy
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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This young gun turned many heads this past
year. Andrews came out of the box hot and
seemed cool a bit towards the end of the
year. But someone took notice of his season
and his skills as he earned himself a tour
ride. 2005, seemed to be a year we saw a
more aggressive Mike Andrews Jr. as well, he
took down 2 wins, 6 top fives and 14 top
tens. If he had some patience towards the
end of the season, he could have been champ!
A+ |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Andrews is shaping up to
be the next hottest driver from Long Island
with pure raw talent and not to mention a
great attitude. Andrews pulled two
wins, but he sometimes got a little
impatient, costing him the championship.
A good season nevertheless. A |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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 |
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A+
16 races, 2 wins, 6 top 5's, 14
top 10's |
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4) Wayne
Anderson
#15 Eastport Feeds Chevrolet
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Multi-track champion, Wayne Anderson, showed
that the old dog still can run with the big
dogs. In fact, the old dog seemed to take
the bone many nights and have a little fun,
3 wins, 8 top fives and 11 top tens.
Anderson showed there is still another spot
on his shelf for a future championship
trophy. A |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Anderson is like fine
wine. The Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer
just keeps on getting better each year.
Three wins, some outstanding races, but fell
short of the championship. Don't rule
him out in 2006, he just keeps on getting
better. A |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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A
16 races, 3 wins, 8 top 5's, 11
top 10's |
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5) Dan
Jivanelli
#12 Dunkerley's Chevy
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Dan came on strong at season's end, but the
beginning of the season really hurt! Dan
brought home a win, with 5 top fives and 11
top tens. Going to be a good season coming
for Jivanelli in 2006. B+ |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Jivanelli underwent a
revival in 2005, with a new car owner, some
solid sponsorship, and some luck. The
Jivanelli of old started to reappear and
expect him to continue his reemergence in
2006. A- |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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A-
16 races, 1 win, 5 top 5's, 11
top 10's |
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6) Howie
Brode
#96 Petro Fuel Oil Chevrolet
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Coming off a couple seasons on the tour,
Howie was looking to earn another track
championship. Howie looked strong some
nights and off a couple more! Maybe being
away for Riverhead full time for a few years
lessened his performance. Howie knew coming
in, it wasn't going to be a walk in the
park. Earning a win in 2005 with 6 top fives
and 11 top tens. B+ |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Brode returned to his
home track in 2005, and seemed to be a
little off from the Brode of yesteryear.
Maybe it was just getting re-acclimated to
the small confines of Riverhead, but I guess
we expected more of a bang from this former
champion. Nevertheless, for the
average Joe, it was a decent season. B+ |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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 |
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B+
16 races, 1 win, 6 top 5's, 11
top 10's |
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7) Chris
Young
#49 RBSC Chevrolet
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Veteran proven and veteran tough, Young
looked to bounce back after a tough 2004.
Seemed to be on the right track, taking home
a win, 4 top fives and 10 top tens. After
finishing 16th in points, he came back and
regained that old performance of Chris
Young. B- |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Young has been fixture at
Riverhead for many years, but still he had
yet to win a Modified championship.
He's been oh so close, but seems to always
fall short. Last season he seemed to
drive a bit too aggressive at times, in
perhaps sheer frustration. If Young
laid back a bit, he could be up with the
points contenders once again. B |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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B
15 races, 1 win, 4 top 5's, 10
top 10's |
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8) Jimmy
Blewett
#5 TS Haulers Dodge
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Just when Jimmy was getting comfortable with
the track, his owner took him elsewhere to
race, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Blewett came out of the box slow, learning
the track after some mishaps. But he did
learn from his mistakes and seemed to learn
the outside groove!!! Jimmy comes from
a family of hard drivers, who never say die
or quit! B |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| One of Modified racing's
greatest names returned to Riverhead in the
form of Jimmy Blewett. After a slow
start, Jimmy Blewettt continued to wow the
audience, week-in, week-out with his
spectacular talent. Let's hope the
same happens for him on the tour as well.
B+ |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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 |
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B+
14 races, 2 wins, 5 top 5's, 9
top 10's |
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9) Joe
Hartmann
#05 Watermill Lumber Chevy
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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No wins, but had 6 top fives and 9 top tens.
He seemed to go unnoticed, even though his
top tens looked great. C+ |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| After a spectacular 2004
where he finished third in points, 2005 was
bit of a disappointment for the former
Charger champ. Maybe 2005 was an off
year for Hartmann and 2006 will present
better finishes for the talented driver.
C+ |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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C+
15 races, 0 wins, 6 top 5's, 9
top 10's |
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10) Eddie
Brunnhoelzl III
#8x Jamaica Brake Chevrolet
2005 Profile |
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"The
Professor" Peter Milano, Pit Bull Reporter |
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Eddie season seemed to get better towards
the end of the year. Misfortune on track
cost him good finishes many nights. He
seemed to get a lot better as the season
progressed, but not fast enough. It should
be noted he fared well out of state too.
C- |
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J.A.
Ackley, Chief Director of LongIslandJam.com |
| Eddie represents the
third-generation of Brunnhoelzls to hit the
track, and Eddie is slowly living up to the
Brunnhoelzl name. In a under-funded
team, Eddie has shown signs of promise, but
has yet to prove himself in the division.
Will 2006 be the breakout year for the
likeable driver? C |
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The Fans |
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Vote Here |
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C
16 races, 0 wins, 0 top 5's, 7
top 10's |
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THE END |
Sources: J.A. Ackley/Peter Milano/LongIslandJam.com
Posted: May 5, 2006
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