Steuer
Takes the Baldwin/Evans/Jarzombek Memorial
by J.A. Ackley
A long, long, long night of racing ensued last Saturday
night, where many fans were wondering if they were going to see the sunrise
before entering their doors at their home. With the excitement in the air
of the big Baldwin/Evans/Jarzombek Memorial, it presented a good atmosphere
for a race fan. However, for the drivers, the racing was light in the
support divisions, and wrecking plenty, which left many wondering, was there
a full moon tonight?
Chargers
The Chargers saw rookie Frank Scimeca, Jr. in the #96
P&M Door Chevrolet while on the outside was the #30 Tarr Home Improvements+
Ford of Daryn Miller. At the drop of the flag, #96 Scimeca fails to go
which causes the car behind him, the #47 Cavalier Modular Homes Chevrolet of
Ralph Beaver and the rest of the field to bunch up and cause mayhem,
bringing out the first caution. On the restart, the #30 Daryn Miller and
#07 Eastern Long Island Automotive Chevrolet of Bob Durand would led the
field to green with a clean start. The #30 Miller would overtake the lead,
while #89x Gershow Recycling Ford of Chris McGuire sees his win aspirations
go up with his hood, impeding his vision. Meanwhile the #14 B. Sexton Site
Development Pontiac of Mike Schwarz takes away second from #07 Durand, but
the savvy tag team of young guns #81 Spano Floors Pontiac of Chris Turbush
and #99 Neat & Complete Drywall Dodge of Kevin Orlando sneak under Schwarz
for second and third. Caution would wave on lap 4 for the #23 Mike’s Place
Chevrolet of Tom Anderson which got squirrelly off turn 2 and into the back
straight wall.
#30 Miller and #81 Turbush would restart the race with
a clean and even restart. The two would battle side-by-side for a lap,
until Turbush powered his way on the outside for the lead. On lap 7, #30
Miller gets loose on the back straight, and everyone’s checks up, but
unfortunately the #66 Riverhead Building Supply Chevrolet of Shawn Solomito
found himself in the turn 3 wall, bringing out the yellow once again.
#81 Turbush and #30 Miller restart once again, with the
#81 Turbush getting a good jump on the green, followed by the #01 Iguana’s
Restaurant & Nightlife Pontiac of Rob Tribuzio and the #36 Marjam Supply
Chevrolet of Eric Lutz. Before it could get interesting, caution would wave
on lap 10, as the #14 Schwarz and #51 Sandy Shore Building Pontiac would
tangle off turn 4.
As now the race is half-way, single file restarts from
now out. The potent tandem of #81 Turbush, #01 Tribuzio, #36 Lutz lead the
field to the green. #36 Lutz tries to look for a way around #01 Tribuzio,
but #01 Tribuzio keeps closing the door on any attempts. While #01 Tribuzio
and #36 Lutz battle, it provides clear sailing for the leader, #81 Turbush
as he extends his lead. Caution would wave on lap 17, as #30 Miller nails
the back straight wall coming off turn 2. Meanwhile, to give you a feel for
the attrition, #47 Ralph Beaver would pit once more for his third flat tire.
#81 Turbush would get a good start on the green, with
the #01 Tribuzio and #36 Lutz still battling. #36 Lutz would bump #01
Tribuzio in turn 3 and push him up and go low and take second. However,
going into turn 1, #01 Tribuzio would do the same maneuver, but #36 Lutz
would spin and bring out the yellow. Due to their poor conduct, both were
sent off the track by Co-Chief Steward Mike Capiello.
The race would see a restart, of #81 Turbush, #17x
Lolly Hut Pontiac of John Ellwood, and the #99 of Kevin Orlando. The buzz
in the stands was Ellwood was encountering a flat, but it would be too late
to pit and check it out. At the drop of the green, #81 Turbush took off,
with the #99 Orlando passing #17x Ellwood for second, along with the lapped
car #89x McGuire. However, #81 Turbush was on auto-pilot for his first win
of 2007, followed by an impressive run by the #99 Orlando and a good effort
by the #17x of John Ellwood.
Late Models
In what was probably one of the most troublesome races
in a long time for the Late Models, fans and drivers alike were disappointed
in these full-fendered wonders. The division was treated to an extra 5 laps
to ease the burden of moving through the field in only 25 laps, but it would
be the first 5 laps that would cause the most grief. #88 SPONSORS WANTED
Ford of Shawn Patrick and the #14 SPONSORS WANTED Pontiac of Mike Mortimer
would lead the field to the green, but immediately the Late Models would
have a bad start, with flagger Smokey Boken gathering them up for a better
start. The #88 Patrick and #14 Mortimer would have a better start, with
both going side-by-side. #14 Mortimer would grab the lead, but caution
would wave soon after, as the #88 Patrick spun going into turn 1 into the
wall, with the #10 Ranco Sand & Stone Pontiac of Scott Kulesa, #72 SPONSORS
WANTED Pontiac of Greg Kleila, and the #00 Schlaugies Fuel Oil Chevrolet of
Mike Bologna. A long clean-up would ensue, as the track crew took a while
prying all four cars off each other.
#14 Mike Mortimer and the #23 Metzger Racing Chevrolet
of Kevin Metzger would lead the field to green, but a poor restart would
prompt flagger Smokey Boken to scold the field again. After the scolding,
Mortimer and Metzger would have a great even start, and in a surprising
move, the #23 Metzger would power his way on the outside for the lead, while
the #14 Mortimer was experiencing an outside move by the #34 NY Metro
Peterbilt Dodge of Ken Matlach. The two would touch and #34 Matlach would
drop to third. Matlach would make contact with the #14 Mortimer once again
but spins and the #01 Iguanas Restaurant & Nightlife Chevrolet of Rob
Tribuzio would get into Matlach with no place to go. The two would get
stuck on each other, and after a long session trying to pry them away, Sonny
Densieski and Iron Man Welding came to the rescue, cutting nerf bars and
breaking the two apart to everyone’s delight.
A single-file restart would be dictated, and this would
be the final restart of the race one way or the other, as the Late Models
have definitely had their fair share of the track. #23 Metzger would lead
#14 Mortimer and the #98 Ideal Cesspool Chevrolet of Doug Wholey to the
green. #14 Mortimer would be breathing all over the #23 Metzger, but #14
Mortimer would have to watch his back, as the eager #8 Ideal Cesspool
Pontiac of Dan Turbush would be more than happy to take advantage of any
mistake. On lap 16, #14 Mortimer would get by the #23 Metzger for the lead,
and 2 laps later, the #8 Turbush would take second away from the fading #23
Metzger, and then soon following, the #98 Wholey would take away third. #8
Turbush would try his all to get the win, but #14 Mortimer made sure it
wasn’t happening. #8 Turbush would try high on lap 27, but Mortimer would
go for the block. Last lap, #14 Mortimer gets loose off turn 4, but holds
his own for his first win of 2007. #8 Turbush would settle for second and
his retention of the points lead, followed by an impressive run for the #98
Ideal Cesspool Chevrolet of Doug Wholey.
Spectator Drags
18 people would dare to take their street cars out for
a one-on-one duel to the delight of fans. The field consisted of many
current and former stock car competitors including: Tommy Walkowiak
(Blunderbusts), Mike Rommeney (Blunderbusts), Scott Pedersen (Blunderbusts),
Rob McCormick (Blunderbusts), Gary Bauer (Enduros), Jason Conklin (Enduros),
Christian Conklin (Enduros), and Brian Schwarz (formerly Chargers). The
field would also include the venerable Spectator Drag competitor, Don
Carisiti, who has only been virtually undefeated except for last week, when
the Spectator Drag winningest driver, Mike Schlaugies was on hand, but
luckily for Carisiti, his prime competition would not be on hand. In the
semi-finals, Tommy Walkowiak and his 1923 Ford T-Bucket hot rod would duke
it out with Vincent Laroca’s Pontiac Firebird. Walkowiak would almost lose
it, but powers on for the win. Rob McCormick would have his pimped out
Dodge Ram with neon lights going against the venerable Pontiac Firebird of
Don Carisiti. Neon light wouldn’t give McCormick the speed, as Carisiti
would claim the win. The final would consist of Tommy Walkowiak and his
Ford hot rod vs. Don Carisiti’s Firebird. Walkowiak would provide fans with
hope, but at the drop of the flag, Carisiti would power on by with simple
grace and earn himself once again a trophy for the One-on-One Spectator
Drags.
Figure 8’s
The Bel Air is back! The #8 Four Seasons Sunrooms
Chevrolet of Tom Kraft and the #0x DeMartino Enterprises Chevrolet of Tom
Ferrara would provide a family duel leading the field to green. The #0x
Ferrara jumps to the early lead, followed by the #8 Kraft, whom is being
heavily challenged by the #47 Loebs & Gordon Poolcraft Ford of “Slim” Jim
Donaldson. Caution would wave on lap 2, as the #11 Mike Rommeney would hit
the turn 1 wall.
#0x Ferrara and #8 Kraft leading the field once again,
with #8 Kraft taking the lead, followed by the #0x Ferrara and #47
Donaldson. A few laps later, caution would wave, as the #23 Dodge of Bill
Steen would go up in smoke in turn 1. And during the caution, race leader,
#8 Tom Kraft sends his car to the pits. This would reshape the front of
the field, with the #0x Ferrara and #47 Donaldson leading the field to
green. #0x Ferrara once again grabs the lead, as #28 Barrasso & Sons Mason
Supply Ford of Roger Maynor tries to pass the #47 Donaldson. But before it
could get interesting, the #16 Chevrolet of Will Farrell stops in turn 2
bringing out the caution.
#0x Ferrara and #47 Donaldson restart, with #0x Ferrara
getting the lead, and the #28 Maynor taking second away from #47 Donaldson.
1 lap later, Ferrara would suffer the same fate as Donaldson, as the #28
Maynor would power on by #0x Ferrara for the lead, while #0x Ferrara would
have to battle with the #13 Mike’s Auto Service of Quogue Ford of Mike
Mujsce, Sr. The battle would get a little too hot and heavy, with the #0x
Ferrara spinning bringing out the yellow on lap 9.
#28 Maynor and #13 Mujsce lead the field to the green,
with #28 Maynor jumping into first, followed by the #13 Mujsce and #74
Baxter. Caution would wave once more on lap 12, as the #69 Delavergne
Towing Chevrolet of John Delavergne would spin in the X.
Single-file restart, as the #28 Maynor, #13 Mujsce, and
#74 Baxter would lead the field to green, and that’s how they would finish,
providing Maynor with his sixth win of 2007.
Modifieds – Baldwin/Evans/Jarzombek Memorial
31 Modifieds would be on hand for this momentous event,
with 28 getting the privilege of taking the green. 1989 Riverhead Modified
Champion, Dan Jivanelli in the #44 Long Island Car Collector Garage
Chevrolet would earn fast-time, but redraw sixth. The field would boast a
who’s who of Long Island Racing Modified veterans, with many top guns
finding themselves in the back after the dust settled in time trials. The
field would be led to the start by 1995, 2006 Riverhead Modified Champion,
Chuck Steuer, in the #11x Savin Chevrolet and the 5-time Riverhead Champion,
Wayne Anderson in the #15 Eastport Feeds Chevrolet. However, Anderson would
encounter a flat tire during hot laps, paving the way for 1997, 2005
Riverhead Modified Champion, Bill Park in the #20 Smithtown Nissan Chevrolet
to inherit the outside pole. The green flag would wave, as the #11x Steuer
would lead the #20 Park and the #84 J. Murphy Cesspool Chevrolet of 2001,
2003 Riverhead Modified Champion, John Fortin.
On lap 17, the caution would wave for the first time,
as the #81 Sypher Construction Chevrolet of Whelen Modified Tour regular,
Glenn Tyler, would spin in turns 3 and 5, with Whelen Modified Tour regular
#58 Riverhead Building Supply Chevrolet of Kevin Goodale and #24 Atlas
Asphalt Chevrolet of Tony Anello getting caught up in the aftermath. The
race would restart, with the #11x Steuer leading, followed by the #20 Park,
and the #84 Fortin battling with #44 Jivanelli for third. Caution would
wave on lap 19, for NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour point leader, Donny Lia in
the #18 Huntington Honda entry.
#11x Steuer and #20 Park would once again lead the
field to green, with #11x Steuer retaining the lead, #84 Fortin jumping into
second and #20 Park falling to third. On lap 22, 2004 Riverhead Modified
Champion, Tom Rogers, Jr., in the #6 Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Long
Island Chevrolet would pass #20 Park for third. Lap 23, caution waves as
the #26 Lakeland Landscaping Supply Chevrolet of Gary McDonald would spin in
turn 2 and collect a few cars.
#11x Steuer and #84 Fortin lead the field to green, as
#11x Steuer retains the lead, with #84 Fortin second, while the #6 Rogers
and #20 Park battle for third. #6 Rogers finally claims third on lap 26.
Caution would wave once more on lap 31, as the #05 Finnegan’s Wake Pub
Chevrolet of NWMT regular Joe Hartmann spun, collecting the #93 Aable Auto
Salvage Chevrolet of Sal Accardi, Jr. and the #0 Area Auto Racing News
Chevrolet of NWMT regular Danny Sammons.
The restart would go single file, with #11x Steuer
leading #84 Fortin and #6 Rogers. The green would wave, and then soon after
the caution, as the #03 Century 21 – Stanzoni Realty Pontiac of Ken Darch
would lose a wheel in turns 1 and 2. The race would resume once again with
the #11x Steuer, #84 Fortin, and #6 Rogers tandem up front. Caution would
wave on lap 40, as the #45 Paul’s Nurseries Chevrolet of Bobby Gardner spun
in turn 2. The Steuer/Fortin/Rogers tandem would restart once again and the
three would maintain position. On lap 52, caution would wave as the #15
Eastport Feeds of Wayne Anderson and the #2 Gershow Recycling Chevrolet of
J.R. Bertuccio would make contact and come to a stop in turns 1 & 2.
#11x Steuer/#84 Fortin/#6 Rogers would lead the field
to green once again and fall into that order. #6 Rogers starts to look racy
looking for a way around #84 Fortin, but can’t make a move. Meanwhile the
#49 Riverhead Building Supply Chevrolet of Chris Young is starting to think
about joining them. Caution would wave on 72, as the #0 Sammons and #26
McDonald tangle in turns 1 and 2.
#11x Steuer/#84 Fortin/#6 Rogers would lead the field
to green once again. The #6 Rogers jumps under #84 Fortin to take second
and thinks about the lead. But before it could get interesting caution
would wave once again as the #2 Bertuccio would stop in turns 3 and 4.
#11x Steuer would be followed by the #6 Rogers and #84
Fortin to the green. #6 Rogers tries to pass #11x Steuer, but the #84
Fortin takes full advantage and retakes second from #6 Rogers. In the end,
#11x Chuck Steuer would take the checkers in one of his biggest wins yet,
and his first since 2004. #84 John Fortin would settle for second while #6
Rogers would take the final podium spot in third.
Source: J.A.
Ackley/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
July 22, 2007
