Legendary Starter to Wave on Nextel Cup Cars
By
J.A. Ackley
With less
than two days away, the biggest Opening Day practice in Riverhead Raceway’s
50+ years just got bigger. Ray Morturano, legendary starter from Islip
Speedway and Riverhead Raceway has agreed to start the father and son Nextel
Cup exhibition race this Saturday, April 21, 2007.
Morturano
had the pleasure of flagging some of the best of the best Long Island Racing
has seen during the 1970’s and 1980’s. He flagged races at Islip Speedway,
Riverhead Raceway, and a few at Freeport Speedway. In addition, Morturano
worked with Long Island’s best known starters, such as Johnnie Rocco, Dutch
Miller, Bobby Lee, and Bobby Carr. Now he returns to flag a race with one
of the most renowned names in Long Island racing, the Brunnhoelzls. The
father and son team of Ed Jr. and Eddie III will do battle in two Nextel Cup
cars, the former Sadler Racing Chevrolet renumbered #43, and the former #45
Brawny Dodge of Kyle Petty. The match race will find out if age and
treachery or youth and enthusiasm will win.
In
addition to the exciting Nextel Cup match race, many other festivities and
events are planned. Check out one fan’s tribute to a legend, Mike
Barnikel’s Dale Earnhardt #3 GM Goodwrench Chevrolet – a street legal
version of the Intimidator’s steed that was both feared and loved. The
living Long Island Racing encyclopedia, Marty Himes of the Himes Museum and
his #250 Liberty Special will be on hand to answer all your questions about
Long Island racing’s storied history. Riverhead Raceway’s fan phenomenon,
the Turn 1 Cowboys will be back, rooting on racing and greeting fans. And
last, but certainly not least, you will be treated to six divisions of
Riverhead Raceway’s NASCAR racing, warming up their cars and swinging into
the new season. And the best feature of this, it’s all FREE!
So come on
down to Riverhead Raceway, Saturday April 21 starting at 12 noon. Riverhead
Raceway is conveniently located at the end of the LIE, exit 73.
With free admission, many
festivities and events, and the one thing we all have been anxiously
anticipating – the 2007 Riverhead Raceway Season, it’s going to be a great
Saturday afternoon of events. So bring out your friends, family, and heck
why not even a stranger, as your day of free and exciting entertainment is
this Saturday!
Source: J.A.
Ackley/Marrzmotorsports/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
April 19, 2007
