11/06/2006

Chuck Steuer Feted as Riverhead NASCAR Modified Champion

    Soft- spoken Chuck Steuer of Bohemia was officially crowned 2006 NASCAR Modified champion Saturday evening by Riverhead Raceway promoters Barbara and Jim Cromarty before an energetic gathering at the Polish Hall. The 2006 title, the second championship for Steuer in the Modifieds was worth $4,100 from a $13,520 point fund distributed to the top ten NASCAR Modified pilots.
    Steuer, joined by car owner Grant Williams at the podium for the championship trophy presentation, also received the perpetual Big Brothers & Big Sister of Long Island Drivers Cup from 2005 champion Bill Park who told Chuck to take care of the cup because he’d like it back in 2007. In addition to the $4,100 from the 2006 Riverhead Raceway point fund Chuck will go to Las Vegas this week for the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series banquet where he’ll receive an additional $4,500 for his 13th place finish in Division III. Add to that sum $2,000 from Dodge for his Riverhead title and Chuck and the Savin Copiers team earns a handsome $10,600 for the crown.
    Following Chuck in points in 2006 and earning trophies and point fund checks were Sal Accardi Jr. ($2,100), Wayne Anderson ($1,300), Bill Park ($1,200) and Tom Rogers Jr. ($1,100). Rogers was unable to attend the dinner, as he was busy winning the SK race at the North-South Shootout in North Carolina.
    In the special award category Justin Bonsignore was tabbed Rookie of the Year after his 7th place finish in points which earned him $900 in point fund money. Sal Accardi was voted Most Improved driver after nearly winning the title in ’06, while Grant Williams was tabbed Owner of the Year and Frank Vigliarolo Jr. was voted Best Appearing Car.
    The 23rd annual Cromarty Dedication to Riverhead Raceway award went to Al Frazer of Boening Brothers Distributors who through Miller Lite has been a major marketing partner since 1985 backing the NASCAR Modifieds, Figure Eights and Demolition Derby events.
    Veteran Late Model talent Greg Kleila of Lindenhurst enjoyed his first Late Model championship as both a driver and car owner earning $2,500 from a 2006 point fund totaling $8,880. Greg who won the crown by a mere two points was also named Owner of the Year for his JR’S Steakhouse Pontiac.
     Second through fifth behind Greg Kleila were Mike Mortimer ($1,200), Roger Oxee ($1,000), Dan Turbush ($880) and Dave Brigati ($750).
    In other Late Model special awards “Dynamite” Dan Turbush was named 2006 Rookie of the Year. Car owner Doug Wholey asked Dan back for another season in 2007! Dan’s crew chief Ray Bouchard was named the 2006 Mechanic of the Year at Riverhead Raceway. Mike Mortimer was named Best Appearing Car and later in the ceremony was also named Best Dressed Crew.
    “TK” Tom Kraft of Medford for the third time in his career was honored as Figure Eight champion winning the 2006 crown in the Four Seasons Sunrooms 1957 Chevy. Kraft and car owner Mitch Butruch were presented a check for $940 from the $4,990 point fund. Butruch was also named Owner of the Year.
    Chasing Kraft in ’06 were Roger Maynor ($700), George Sprague ($600), Kenny Hyde ($550) and Carl Baxter ($500).
    Figure Eight special awards saw Tom Graff named Rookie of the Year, while Kenny Hyde took Most Improved Driver honors. George Sprague was voted Best Appearing Car for his car that he recently sold to Graff.
    Steve Ratti of Manorville enjoyed his first ever Charger championship along with car owner James Becht with a 2006-point fund check of $1,100 from the $6,050 fund. To ice the cake for the Newsday team Becht was later named Owner of the Year and the #37 Monte Carlo was voted Best Appearing Car.
    Eric Lutz ($900), Chris Turbush ($800), Rob Tribuzio ($700) and Henry Cataldo ($550) rounded out the top five.
    Mike Schwarz was named Charger Rookie of the Year.
    Popular Tommy “The Wildchild” Walkowiak of Ridge walked to the podium to a thunderous round of applause as the 2006 Blunderbust champion along with his lovely wife Gayle, his car owner of the Unique Golf Chevy. Tommy took home a check for $800 from the Blunderbust point fund of $3,590.
    Following Tommy in 2006 were Scott Maliszewski ($550), Bill Wegmann ($500), Tom Pickerell ($400) and Neal Feola Jr. ($340).
    Gayle Walkowiak was named Owner of the Year while Wayne Okula won the Best Appearing Car award.
    Bobby Gardner of Westbury along with truck owner Bill Kipp enjoyed their first Super Pro Truck Championship with Gardner a former Blunderbust champion earning $600 in point fund money from a fund worth $2,640.  Kipp who owns the Bobcat of Long Island Dodge was named Owner of the Year later in the evening.
    Second through fifth were Lou Maestri ($425), Dan Grennan ($400), Dan Turbush ($275) and Dave Brigati ($250).
    Lou Maestri won Best Appearing Truck.
    Thaddeus Lattanzio of Eastport was honored as the 2006 Car Rollover champion after going down to the final competition against Dennis Scott. The title was the first for Lattanzio.
    Stan Wangenstein of Holtsville and Scott Graham of Holbrook enjoyed a bittersweet night as Train Race champions for the second time in their career worth $600 to the tandem. However they might just be the last champions in the Train Race, since it is not on the 2007 Riverhead Raceway schedule.
    All dinner guests received a Riverhead Racer program from Program Dynamics in which the 2007 schedule was released. Most noticeable was the fact that the track will not host a NASCAR Modified Tour race for the first time since its inception of the series in 1985.
    In total the 2006 Riverhead Raceway point fund came to $40,270 and at this time a big thank you goes out to all the sponsors of the fund. Barbara and Jim Cromarty $25,420, JYD Enterprises Hoosier Tire Distributor $7,850, Hoosier Tire East $5,000, McBetts Racing Engines $1,000 and Jack Merkel Racing Engines $1,000.
    Next up on the Riverhead Raceway slate is the annual Long Island Automotive Swap Shop this Sunday November 12th at 9:00 am. Vendor space is $20 per spot and admission for shoppers is just $5 for those 6 years old and older.

Source: Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:  November 6, 2006