In an earlier story I talked about the
All-Star League. Many great races were staged during the years the
League ran but few if any were as exciting as a battle at Islip between
Chargin' Charlie Jarzombek and Buzzie Reutimann.
Charlie always had the fastest car wherever he ran on the
Island. For this race he was in his Vega that scored countless wins at
Islip, Riverhead, and
Freeport. Buzzie, as was the case with many of the dirt track drivers in
the League, brought his dirt track coupe #00 set up for asphalt. The
Islip fans, many of whom were unfamiliar with Buzzie's exploits, gave
him little or no chance against the likes of Jarzombek, Richie Evans,
Jerry Cook, and all the regular paved track stars.
The draw determined starting positions and both
Charlie and Buzzie drew fairly well, starting back only a few rows from
the front. When the green flew for the 100 lap grind Jarzombek swept to
the point quickly, as was his custom. A couple of cautions gave Buzzie
the chance to move up to second and the battle was on before halfway.
Jarzombek was on the gas as always and attacked the track as he
maintained his lead. Reutimann would not be swayed and continued to dog
Jarzombek at every turn, sticking his nose alongside the white #1j
repeatedly. After a while the crowd realized that Buzzie had an upset in
mind and was capable of pulling it off. Lap after lap the war raged on
with Jarzombek hanging on to the lead by the slimmest of margins. As
they came out of turn four for the white flag it appeared that Charlie
was going to hold off Reutimann despite his valiant effort.
But the racing Gods can be cruel at times and as Jarzombek
raced onto the straightaway his engine blew up in a huge plume of white
smoke. Reutimann snuck by through the cloud and went on to one of the
most popular wins in the history of Islip Speedway. Not that they wished
the bad luck on Jarzombek but because of the unlikelihood that a dirt
track driver in a dirt track coupe could beat the best paved track
drivers in the northeast on their own turf. It was simply another
terrific chapter in the wonderful history of Islip Speedway.
Dwight
THE END
Source:Dwight
Clock/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
February 7, 2007