Modified
Legends Baldwin, Evans, & Jarzombek to be Remembered Saturday
Three of the most popular drivers ever to strap into
a NASCAR modified will be remembered this Saturday night at Riverhead
Raceway when Barbara and Jim Cromarty present the 77-lap Tom Baldwin, Richie
Evans and Charlie Jarzombek feature event. Aside from a very healthy purse
it was disclosed today that an additional $6,000 in lap and bonus money
would be distributed through the field.
The 77-lap distance is run in honor of the wildly popular “Tiger” Tom
Baldwin and this will be the third edition of the race run in his memory
since his untimely passing in August of 2004. Tom’s life long good friend
Wayne Anderson of Yaphank won the inaugural race in July of 2005; with Howie
Brode of East Islip taking an equally emotional win last July in the 77-lap
thriller.
For the 2007 event Barbara and Jim Cromarty thought it only fitting to
remember two other drivers who lost their life on the NASCAR Modified Tour
who were also very popular with Long Island fans. Richie Evans, former
9-time NASCAR National Modified champion from Rome, N.Y. was extremely
popular with fans at Islip Speedway and Riverhead Raceway before his
untimely death in the fall of 1985 at the Martinsville, Va. Speedway during
a practice run.
“Chargin” Charlie Jarzombek of Baiting Hollow, the beloved leader of the
Long Island Gang was a former five-time Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified
champion, an honor only two other drivers share with him, they being Wayne
Anderson and the retired Don Howe. Jarzombek sadly left all his legions of
fans behind in the spring of 1987.
A stellar field of Riverhead Raceway regulars headed-up by Wayne
Anderson will be in action trying to win this race honoring three legends of
NASCAR Modified racing. Chuck Steuer, Bill Park, J.R. Bertuccio. Chris
Young, Dan Jivanelli, John Fortin, Sal Accardi Jr., Tom Rogers Jr., Dave
Sapienza and Dave Brigati will all be gunning for the winner’s share of the
purse, as well the lion’s share of the $6,000 in bonus money.
Outside drivers who have indicated they’d be part of the Baldwin, Evans
& Jarzombek 77 include NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour point leader Donny Lia of
Jericho, Jimmy Blewett of Howell, N.J., Danny Sammons of Bordentown, N.J.
and Tony Ferrante Jr. of Franklin Square.
Five complete sets of lap money have been sold once again by Gina and
Ellen from the Hoosier Tire area for a total of $5,775, with extra money
taking that bonus and lap money over the $6,000 mark. Every car in the
starting field will take home lap money, as Gina and Ellen make sure the
money filters all the way through the field no matter how many cars start
the 77.
Saturday night will also serve as Allstate Insurance night and joining
the NASCAR Modifieds are the Late Models, Figure Eights, the Ideal Cesspool
night Chargers, One-On-One Spectator Drags and a 4-Cylinder Enduro. Time
trials for the NASCAR Modifieds will be at 4:30 pm with feature event racing
starting at 6:00 pm.
For further information concerning this can’t miss night of racing at
Riverhead Raceway please call 631-842-RACE or visit our website at
www.riverheadraceway.com.
Source: Bob
Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:
July 16, 2007
