1) Bill Park
#20 Smithtown Nissan Chevrolet

1997 and 2005 Riverhead Raceway Modified Champion claims his third title in 2007. This veteran driver was thinking of hanging up the helmet at the end of the 2007 season, but with the grit and grace he showed on the track this year, he has much left in the tank! In addition to visiting victory lane twice this year, he was the highest Riverhead regular in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race, finishing second behind fellow Long Islander Donny Lia. In an interview, Park said if there were five more laps left, he might have had something to get past Lia. Park held off charging Ronnie Silk in a great finish. Lia was impressed and thought Park had the car and drive to pursue the win, after leader Stefanik and Christopher tangled in turns 1 and 2. Could this be the farewell of Bill Park as a full-time driver at Riverhead? I hope not because he still has what it takes to win championships!

A+
16 races, 2 wins, 10 top 5's, 15 top 10's


 

2) Tom Rogers, Jr.
#6 Berner Motorsports Chevrolet

Rogers Jr. almost took down the title, but due to missing one race, he was left standing at the door, 12 points behind Bill Park. If he would have started the one race and finished, we would been calling 2004 Riverhead Raceway Modified Champion, the 2007 Modified Champion! This season Tommy seemed a bit frustrated behind the wheel, knocking around some rubber and using a little bit of the chrome horn. Tommy has shown he can race at Riverhead, but also, that he can race out of state and win. Last year after the Long Island season was over, Tommy headed down south to The North-South Shootout at Concord, N.C. First time behind the wheel of the ride he was in he took down the SK race. He also impressed during the modified race too. I hear he's headed down south again to defend his win!

A-
15 races, 1 win, 9 top 5's, 14 top 10's

 

3) Dan Jivanelli
#44 LI Collector Car Garage Chevy

Jivanelli tends to be silent on the track, but in the end he finishes up front. Jivanelli can be hard to pass but keeps his line and lets others do the work. The inside is well protected but if you can pass him on the outside, he provides the room. Jivanelli's 2007 season was a bit different. He was racing a new car with a new number and color for a new team. The 1989 Riverhead Modified champion knows how to wheel around this track. Jivanelli brought a trophy to the new car owner and team in an impressive win. Besides the win, Jivanelli was the model of consistency throughout the season.

A
16 races, 1 win, 8 top 5's, 15 top 10's
 

4) Chuck Steuer
#11x Savin Chevrolet

Steuer came into the 2007 season as defending Riverhead Raceway Modified Champion, a feat he also accomplished in1996. It seems weird that his last win was in 2004, but he broke the curse in 2007 with a sweet victory for the Steuer team. Hard work and dedication paid off in 2006 with the championship, but this team was craving a win! Chuck has to be the most respected driver in the Modified division at Riverhead. Steuer is known for his smooth and clean style, never pushing the envelope to the point of wrecking others to get a position. Steuer is always strong and a force on the track.

A
16 races, 1 win, 7 top 5's, 14 top 10's
 

5) J.R. Bertuccio
#2 Gershow Recycling Chevrolet

The "bad boy" of the Modified division, J.R.'s hard driving style and aggressive nature earned him a one-race suspension during the year. Nearly everyone agrees J.R. has got the talent, but he still has to learn patience. In 2002, J.R. had a career year winning the prestigious Riverhead championship. Bertuccio was back in 2007 with a full schedule of modified racing, after a sporadic schedule in 2006. Love him or hate hi, he's always one to watch on the track to see what he does next. He is the most aggressive driver, but sometimes his aggression ends up on the wrong side of the wall. He drives hard green to checkers and he always wants to be the one taking the checkers first. Despite all the controversial incidents on the track, J.R. had a great year, athough albeit a bit off from his usual pace.

B-
15 races, 1 win, 10 top 5's, 12 top 10's

 

6) Chris Young
#49 Riverhead Building Sply Chevy

It amazes me Chris Young wasn't in the top three in points. He is the 9th all-time career winner in the Modifieds at Riverhead. It also amazes me how Young hasn't won the championship yet! Taking down the checkers 3 different nights in '07, Young ran strong all season with 11 top tens and 7 top fives. Chris Young
has been craving the championship for years now and it still slips through his hands, despite winning a lot of races along the way.

A
16 races, 3 wins, 7 top 5's, 11 top 10's
 

7) John Fortin
#84 J. Murphy Cesspool Chevy

It was good to see John Fortin back for a full schedule at Riverhead Raceway in 2007. The 2001 & 2003 Riverhead Raceway Modified champion was looking to add another title to his impressive career. As with Chris Young, Dan Jivanelli, and Tommy Rogers, Jr., Fortin is a former Figure 8 champion. John Fortin knows how to get around Riverhead Raceway John Fortin visited victory lane again, first time since 2003. It was good to see him back with the checkers.

B
15 races, 1 win, 5 top 5's, 9 top 10's
 

8) Dave Brigati
#3 WPW Growers Chevrolet

The "Fancy Farmer" made his full-time return to Modifieds in 2007 driving for Joe Ambrose. Brigati and crew didn't take long to get the cars going. His focus stayed all season long with the Modified division. His hard work paid off and brought the car and crew out to victory lane twice this year. Next year he looks to be even stronger. Will he return with Ambrose or will he be wheeling his own cars?
 

B+
16 races, 2 wins, 5 top 5's, 9 top 10's
 

9) Dave Sapienza
#36 Flemington Fur Co. Chevy

The former drag racer seemed to take a step back from 2006 when he finished sixth in points. This year he saw his primary car demolished and bought Mike Andrews Jr. former steed. While the Andrews car is a strong runner, Sapienza was more comfortable in his old No. 36. A few altercations on the track and some bad luck kept Dave from improving on his 2006 points finish. Sapienza is hoping for a better season in 2008.

B-
16 races, 1 win, 4 top 5's, 10 top 10's
 

10) Wayne Anderson
#15 Eastport Feeds Chevrolet

The five-time Riverhead Modified champion had a rough time in 2007. The team worked hard all year long to find gremlins that plagued the car at times. Sometimes it wasn't the car or the driver but on track incidents. The team's hard work paid off towards the end of the year, bringing the car home in victory lane. We hope to see the former champion back in 2008.

B-
16 races, 1 win, 4 top 5's, 9 top 10's

~The End~