A capacity crowd gathered at the Polish Hall in Riverhead
Saturday evening to honor the 2007 Riverhead Raceway champions
headed-up by NASCAR Modified champion Bill Park of Manorville.
During the festivities promoters Barbara and Jim Cromarty
distributed a handsome $32,500 point fund to the Whelen
All-American Series drivers.
The 2007 Riverhead Raceway point fund was sponsored to the
tune of $30,600 by Barbara and Jim Cromarty with McBetts Racing
Engines of Holbrook adding $1,000 along with Merkel Racing
Engines of Hauppauge who also added $1,000.
For the second time in three years Bill Park led the annual
“parade of champions” and the driver of the Barbara Park owned
Smithtown Nissan Chevy pocketed $3,500 from a $14,340 point
fund. Former multi-time NASCAR Modified National champion Jerry
Cook presented Bill with the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Long
Island Driver’s Cup. Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue, Dan Jivanelli
of Hampton Bays, Chuck Steuer of Bohemia and J.R. Bertuccio of
Centereach followed Park in the final standings.
In the NASCAR Modified special awards Park, a 37-year veteran
of the sport was named the Best Appearing Car and Barbara Park
the Owner of the Year. Chris Beutler of Medford was named the
2007 Rookie of the Year, while Marisa Niederauer of Plainedge
was voted Most Improved Driver.
The 2007 Cromarty Dedication to Riverhead Raceway award went
to lifetime track employee Charlie Zukowski, while “Slim” Jim
Donaldson was named the Cromarty Sportsmanship award winner.
Brian Schwarz from the Dave Brigati NASCAR Modified team was
voted 2007 Mechanic of the Year.
Just one year after winning the Late Model Rookie of the
Year, “Dynamite” Dan Turbush of Riverhead was feted as the 2007
champion in the division along with his car owner Doug Wholey.
Greg Kleila of Lindenhurst, Roger Oxee of Peconic, Ken Matlach
of New Hyde Park and Scott Kulesa of Georgetown, Ma followed the
57-year old driver of the Jet Sanitation Dodge in the point
standings.
Doug Wholey was named Owner of the Year in the Late Model
special awards, while Greg Kleila won Best Appearing Car as well
the Best Dressed crew award.
For the sixth time in his illustrious career Roger Maynor of
Bay Shore was honored as the Riverhead Raceway Figure Eight
champion. Mike Mujsce of Westhampton Beach, Tom Graff of
Commack, Jim Donaldson of Shirley and Tom Kraft of Medford
chased Maynor in the Barrasso & Sons Mason Supplies entry for
the championship.
Maynor also did well in the Figure Eight special awards as he
was named Owner of the Year and Best Appearing Car. Michael
Rommeney of Maspeth was voted Rookie of the Year, while Tom
Ferrara of Holbrook the Most Improved Driver for 2007.
John Ellwood of Riverhead was honored as the 2007 Charger
champion along with his car owner and wife Suzanne Ellwood.
Following the Lolly’s Hut championship team in the standings
were Kevin Orlando of Calverton, Chris McGuire of Shirley, Chris
Turbush of Riverhead and Tom Anderson of Medford.
Suzanne Ellwood was named Owner of the Year, with Chris
McGuire taking Best Appearing Car and Shawn Solomito of Islip
was named 2007 Charger Rookie of the Year.
For the second consecutive year “The Wildchild” Tommy
Walkowiak of Ridge was honored as the Blunderbust champion along
with his car owner Ron Langdon. The Unique Golf team topped the
point standings over Scott Maliszewski of Deer Park, “Krazy” Ed
Mistretta of New Hyde Park, Joe Pingitore of Patchogue and Bill
Wegmann of N. Bellmore.
Ron Langdon won the Blunderbust Owner of the Year, while
Scott Maliszewski was voted Best Appearing Car.
Danny Grennan of Glen Cove enjoyed his third Super Pro Truck
championship Saturday night and was honored along with his wife
and truck owner Kim Grennan for their stellar season in the
Gulfway Marine entry. Lou Maestri of Deer Park, Dave Koenig of
Oceanside, Mike Albasini of Bayside and Frank Dumicich Jr. of
East Quogue completed the SPT top five.
Kim Grennan was named SPT Owner of the Year and Danny Grennan
the Best Appearing Truck.
For the first time in his career Brian Savoy of Lake Panamoka
was honored as the 2007 Car Rollover champion, while Michael
Rommeney became the first ever Demolition Derby champion at
Riverhead raceway in 2007.
Bobby Pease the 2007 Grand Enduro champion was honored by
Cindy Johnson of Constant Performance, which sponsored the
trophies for the top three in all Enduro divisions. Russ Jansen
of Medford was the 4/6-Cylinder Truck Enduro champion, while Ed
Brown Jr. of Shirley was the 8-Cylinder Enduro champion. Shawn
Wanat of Riverhead had the distinction of winning two
championships in one year, as he was the 2007 6-Cylinder and
4-Cylinder Enduro champion.
The 2008 Riverhead Raceway schedule was released at the
awards dinner in the PDI Riverhead Racer program handed to all
in attendance. Opening night for the NASCAR Whelen All-American
Series is Saturday May 3rd, while the Enduro lid-lifter is the
very next afternoon Sunday May 4th.
For further information please call the track office at
631-842-RACE or visit
www.riverheadraceway.com.
Source: Bob
Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:
November 5, 2007
