New Winners for 2006 Abound
by Walter Johnston & J.A. Ackley

             A night of fun-filled action presented itself to a good-sized crowd on hand.  The night would begin with a salute to the New York State Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).  The Nassau County Highway Patrol and the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department had their cars lead the beginning parade with a surprise guest appearance from Nassau County Executive and gubernatorial candidate, Tom Suozzi.  Suozzi would meet with folks around the pits and take in some of the exciting Riverhead action.

Super Pro Trucks

            Mike Albasini in the #66 M&M Motorsports Chevrolet and Dave Xavier in the #11 Cystinosis Research Network Ford would lead the field to the green.  #66 Albasini grabbed the early lead, with Dan Turbush in the #8 Dantona Industries Chevrolet grabbing second followed by the #5 Wesemann’s Sand & Mason Supply Ford in third.  On lap 3, #38 Dan Grennan would move up to third, continuing his trek through the field.  2 laps later, #8 “Dynamite” Dan Turbush would battle #66 Albasini for the lead, trying hard to pass, and within a few more laps, Turbush would hang it outside to grab the front position.  Meanwhile, #38 Dan Grennan is desperately trying to find away around the #66 of Mike Albasini, while #5 Frank Dumicich and #98x Dave Brigati lurk in the distance.  On lap 14, the action got a bit too heavy, and the #5 of Frank Dumicich spun, bringing out the first yellow.  On the restart, #8 Dan Turbush resumes his lead with the #38 Dan Greenan knocking on #66 Mike Albasini’s door.  Once again the action got too hot, as the #66 Mike Albasini and #38 Dan Grennan connect, sending #66 Mike Albasini for a spin into the turn 1 wall.  Caution would wave, and the #38 of Dan Grennan would be sent to the rear for rough riding.  On the restart, #8 Dan Turbush would take off once again, but with the #1 of Lou Maestri right on his tail.  Turbush would hold him off to take down his first win of 2006 in the Super Pro Trucks.  Lou Maestri in the #1 Schwing Electrical Supply Ford would wind up second and rounding out the podium would be the #98x WPW Growers GMC of Dave Brigati.

Blunderbusts

The Blunderbusts would feature the #17 Professional Carpet Systems Chevrolet of Matt Pepitone and the #69x James Becht Builders Chevrolet of Paul Parisi.  At the start, the #17 Matt Pepitone moves into the lead, while the #67 Artisan Appraisals Chevrolet of Wayne Okula is steadily moving up from fifth to third within the first lap.  Before any action could take place, yellow would wave for the spun #64 Centereach Transmission Chevrolet of Ray Shannon.  During the yellow flag, #69x Paul Parisi had to go to the pits to replace a flat left rear tire, handing second place over to the #67 of Wayne Okula.   At the green #67 Wayne Okula would grab the lead and gain 5 car-lengths over the #17 of Matt Pepitone.  #17 Matt Pepitone would be holding his own as well, with a lengthy lead over third, but before the two could breathe easy, caution would wave for the #65 Don Doherty, as he would spin in turn 2 and then get hit by #46 Sam Blanton, tearing off his whole right rear fender and bringing out another yellow.  After a brief clean-up, the green would wave again with Okula commanding the lead, but it wouldn’t be long, as second-place #17 Matt Pepitone would see his fine ride end up in the turn 1 wall after contact from a car behind.  After the recent wave of events, NASCAR officials call for single file restarts, and the green flies again with Okula once again at the helm of the lead.  Following Okula’s exhaust fumes would be the #76 J&C Auto Salvage Chevrolet of Joe Pingatore, along with the #55 Tim Gersbeck, #15 William Schwarz, and #00 Tommy Walkowiak.  #76 Pingatore sticks right to #67 Wayne Okula’s bumper while the #00 Tommy Walkowiak and #4 Tom Pickerell move into fourth and fifth respectively.  The next lap, the Walkowiak Pickerell duo moves up one spot as they pass #55 Tim Gersbeck.  #67 Wayne Okula seems to be weakening, and the #76 Joe Pingatore tries to find a way to pass him.  However, before Pingatore could navigate a way to victory lane, #00 Tommy Walkowiak takes second away from #76 Pingatore, and one lap later #4 Tom Pickerell follows suit.  As #00 Tommy Walkowiak and #4 Tom Pickerell battle for second, #67 Wayne Okula gets a chance to get some breathing room, and with only a few laps left, Okula manages to hold off the hard challengers for his first win of 2006.  #00 Unique Golf Shop Chevrolet of Tommy Walkowiak would settle for second while the #4 Pickerell Clam Chevrolet of Tom Pickerell would finish third

Late Models

Taking the field to the green would be the #35 Habberstad BMW/Mini Dodge of Kenny Alfano and the outside would feature the #00 Chevrolet of Michael Bologna.  The green flag waves, and #35 Kenny Alfano takes the preliminary lead with the #99 Chevrolet of Jack Orlando and #00 Michael Bologna battling for second, while #12 KRI Pontiac of Dennis Krupski moves into fourth, and the #98 Ideal Cesspool Pontiac of Dan Turbush moves into fifth.  #99 Jack Orlando takes second away from #00 Michael Bologna, and Orlando is now trying to find a way around leader #35 Kenny Alfano.  On lap 9, #99 Orlando finally manages a way around #35 Alfano for first, while #35 Alfano tries to fight off #12 Dennis Krupski and #98 Dan Turbush.  Before the battle could get interesting, caution would wave for the #1x WPW Growers Dodge of Dave Brigati, whom comes to a stop near the turn 1 wall.  After that is taken care of, the green flies, with #99 Jack Orlando jumping to a good start, while the #35 Kenny Alfano is in second, and #98 Dan Turbush moves into third.  However, Turbush’s pass would be made in vain, as it occurred to the left of #12 Dennis Krupski before the start/finish line, and he would be penalized one position for it.  But this would be unbeknownst to Turbush, whom is trying to take second away from #35 Alfano.  After a heated battle, Turbush would make contact with the #35 Kenny Alfano, sending Alfano around and ending his fine run.  Meanwhile, Orlando would develop a lead that would last until the checkers, resulting in the first win of 2006 for the likeable #99 Jack Orlando.  Finishing second would be the #12 KRI Pontiac of Dennis Krupski and rounding out the top three would be the #98 Ideal Cesspool Pontiac of Dan Turbush.

Modifieds

The #07 LLKS Construction Chevrolet of Lew Hallock and the #36 Dodge of Dave Sapienza guided the field to the green for tonight’s action.  At the start, #36 Dave Sapienza would grab the lead by turn 2, followed by the #07 Lew Hallock, #12 Dunkerley’s Office Products Chevrolet of Dan Jivanelli, #11x Savin Chevrolet of Chuck Steuer, and the #28 Long Island Fiber Exchange Chevrolet of Justin Bonsignore.  #36 Dave Sapienza begins to build a 5-car lead over the top six which is running single file.  On lap 8, #11x Chuck Steuer passes #12 Dan Jivanelli for third, and set his sights on second-place #07 Lew Hallock.  On lap 14, #11x Steuer passes Hallock for second while another wily veteran, #20 Bill Park passes #28 Justin Bonsignore for fifth.  The #11x Chuck Steuer then inches closer each and every lap to the leader #36 Dave Sapienza, and by lap 18, Steuer is there right on Sapienza’s bumper as they navigate through traffic.  On lap 20, #36 Dave Sapienza has a scare as he contacts the #26 of lapped Gary McDonald, but recovers nicely.  Soon thereafter, #26 Gary McDonald would come to a halt in turn 2, bringing out the caution.  #36 Dave Sapienza takes off on the restart, with #11x Chuck Steuer, #12 Dan Jivanelli, #20 Bill Park, and #49 Chris Young all in tow.  #36 Dave Sapienza began to enjoy a bit of a lead over Steuer in a few laps, but caution would soon wave again for the #22x Tracy Christensen and #07 Lew Hallock whom spun in turn 2.  On the green, #36 Dave Sapienza takes off, but #11x Chuck Steuer is right with him.  Steuer would try everything and nearly almost stole away the win, but before Steuer could find a way, Sapienza would take the checkers for his first career win in the Modifieds at Riverhead Raceway.  #11x Chuck Steuer would have to settle for second while #12 Dan Jivanelli would finish third.

Grand Enduros:

Saturday night regulars were in for a treat, as the Enduromaniacs from all over were in town and ready to rumble for the Rich Johnson tribute race.  Cindy Johnson would drive the #1 Constant Performance Chevrolet which her husband Rich would race, as the pace car.  Drivers from as far as Pennsylvania came to honor the man whom helped so many people, including this website LongIslandJam.com.  Behind the #1 pace car would be a row of Enduro veterans, the #19 Salon 65 Chevrolet of Anthony “Pickles” Foerster and #9 Hampton Fleet Service Chevrolet of Tommy “Wild Child” Walkowiak.  At the green #9 Walkowiak would take the lead, and quick soon thereafter the #59 John Cozza would maneuver into second, with #19 Foerster holding on to third.  By lap 4, Bob “Peaseman” Pease in the #20 BV Sprinklers Chevrolet would grab third and started to be in the hunt.  Meanwhile #9 Tommy Walkowiak is battling heavy traffic with #59 John Cozza ready to capitalize on any wrong move.  At lap 10, all the leaders were in significant traffic in the order of #9 Walkowiak, #59 Cozza, #20 Pease, and #16 Ray Fitzgerald.  #16 Fitzgerald would start cutting through the field like a knife through butter.  On lap 13, #16 Fitzgerald would grab third away from #20 Pease.  On lap 20, Fitzgerald takes advantage of traffic, as the wily veteran would pass #59 John Cozza for second.  #16 Ray Fitzgerald tries to reel in the leader #9 Tommy Walkowiak but traffic is slowing down his progress.  Walkowiak would stretch his lead to 8 car lengths, but Fitzgerald would start reeling him in and by lap 30, Fitzgerald was right on #9 Walkowiak’s tail.  #16 Fitzgerald would then pass the #9 of Tommy Walkowiak, who’s car is now bellowing smoke from overheating which would result in Walkowiak’s demise.  Soon thereafter the #16 of Ray Fitzgerald would suffer the same fate, which would result in the #59 of John Cozza to take down the win.  In second would be the #20 BV Sprinklers Chevrolet of Bob Pease, and rounding out the top three would be the #12 Peconic Sign Co. Chevrolet of Greg Zaleski.

Pit Notes:

#8 Dan Turbush would earn two milkshakes for his win in the Super Pro Trucks, courtesy of LongIslandJam.com’s J.A. Ackley.  Apparently J.A. forgot to include him in his top 5 picks and as result, a deal was struck that if Turbush won a Truck race, he would earn two milkshakes, one for him, and one for LongIslandJam.com Pit Bull personality, Peter Milano…  Matt Odwazny’s uncle, Mike Odwazny took out the #32 Super Pro Truck for the day.  Mike Odwazny has quite a bit of experience in all forms of motorsports from Late Models to Enduros, and looked good in his inaugural debut…  We hear #67 Wayne Okula had some motivation to win this past weekend, and Okula indeed looked like he was on a mission this past Saturday…  Okula Motorsports will be hosting a Comedy Night on Friday July 28 at the Wildwood Lanes in Riverhead where John “Dr. Dirty” Valby will be on hand to entertain.  For more information stop by the #67 Blunderbust pit or call Wayne at (516) 991-3926…  Scotty Wolf made his first Riverhead appearance in years, with the #90 Blunderbust…  We hear that the #17 of Matt Pepitone is going to take a quite a bit of work with the damage it incurred, plus Pepitone suffered multiple fractures in his foot as result of the wreck, which puts his season on hold for the moment…  Bob Baker, a former Modified competitor at Islip, would make his return to racing in the Late Model division.  Baker bought a former Buzzy Eriksen ride for his steed and looks forward to racing once again…  #08 Jarrod Hayes would be kind enough to lend his ride to #23 Kevin Metzger, whom had mechanical woes…  #30 Richie Carman made his 2006 debut with his Modified… Dave Brigati debuted his #98x modified, and now we wait for his Blunderbust to round out the full stable at Riverhead… John Denniston who normally drives the Ambrose modifieds, drove the back-up for #15 Wayne Anderson… #75 Howie “Dr. Destruction” Bott would make his Riverhead debut with a top 10 finish…  Another Mountain regular, #43 Richard Petey was on hand looking forward to getting disqualified but unfortunately would not place to achieve his goal…  Grand Enduro competitor, Ralph Soluri was on hand, and was looking better than ever after dealing with a few health issues…