New
Faces Invade Super Pro Trucks to Boost Numbers
by J.A. Ackley
The 2007 season will present many new faces in the
Super Pro Truck division, a whopping 8 new drivers out of 18 trucks
confirmed making a run for the championship. Gone are top guns such as
2006 Super Pro Truck Champion Bobby Gardner and Riverhead Raceway
veteran Dan Turbush. Their replacements have come up through the ranks,
such as Go-Karts, Enduros, and Blunderbusts and they represent perhaps
one of the most talented rookie classes to date.
Coming up through the go-karts are two talented
young ladies – Kathleen Hallock and Erin Dumicich. #94 Kathleen Hallock
is a multi-time champion in karts, racing around the Northeast and
picking up WKA divisional championships in Maryland. The young 16-year
old and her family-owned effort recently picked up the former #26 truck
of John Bittoni and Hallock hopes to have fun in her first effort in
stockcars. #95 Erin Dumicich, 19-years old, likewise came up through
the ranks of go-karts, racing in Long Island’s own Eastern Kart Racing
Association (EKRA) shows at Riverhead Raceway. Dumicich is the daughter
of 1997 Super Pro Truck Champion, Frank Dumicich and brother of Frank
Dumicich Jr., both active Truck competitors. Dumicich will be racing a
Teddy Bear Racing built Dodge Ram and hopes to be part of a winning
family trio in 2007.
Coming up through the tough and tumble Enduro ranks
are the foursome of Gil Smith, Bryan Quilliam, Ray Voss, and Anthony
Daleo. #6 Gil Smith purchased the championship-winning truck of Bobby
Gardner. A former Freeport Speedway competitor, Smith is the oldest
rookie to the Trucks in 2007 at the age of 52-years old. With a solid
truck under his belt, many will be watching what he can accomplish in
2007. Enduro veterans #12 Bryan Quilliam, #21 Ray Voss, and #31 Anthony
Daleo, along with #19 PJ Vecchio, will be racing under the Raceway Auto
Sales banner. Quilliam, Voss, and Daleo purchased trucks from
Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie Speedway and converted them to Riverhead
Raceway rules. The family effort will be interesting to watch, as they
can share information across their four-truck team.
#41 Wayne Meyer and #19 PJ Vecchio perhaps
represent the most experience of the eight rookies, with most their
racing know-how coming from the Blunderbust division. Meyer bought the
potent race-winning truck of Dan Turbush and will have a solid ride
underneath him. While Meyer’s history in the Blunderbusts was marred
with bad luck, hopefully he will shake that off with his new steed.
Vecchio purchased the #34 truck from Carl Rackoff, last driven by Dave
Brigati, and previously raced to victory lane by Peter Sparks. Vecchio
had some strong runs in the Blunderbusts, and hopefully as a member of
the four-truck Raceway Auto Sales team, he will get up to speed in no
time.
While the class boasts many rookies, many wily
veterans will be returning. Champions, #1 Lou Maestri (2004-2005), #5
Frank Dumicich (1997), and #38 Danny Grennan (2002-2003) will be back.
Race-winners – #7 Rich Giordano (2 wins – last won in 2001), #66 Mike
Albasini (2 wins – last won in 2004), #97 Dave Koenig (3 wins – last won
in 2006), and #98 Dave Brigati (6 wins – last won in 2005) will also be
back. As well as #32 Matt Odwazny and #43 Bobby Jones who will be
seeking their first trips to victory lane.
The once bleak future of the tailgate brigade is
gone with the light at the end of the tunnel now here. 18 trucks plan to
race door handle-to-door handle in 2007, with the possibility of full
fields if idle trucks dust their tailgates off and make the trip out.
2007 is shaping up to be the most exciting season yet for one of
Riverhead Raceway’s raciest divisions, so be sure to not miss out!
Source: J.A.
Ackley/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
March 9, 2007