Long
Island Motorsports, out of Mattituck, NY, announced today that
Mike Andrews Jr. will be the driver of the #3 NASCAR Modified
for the 2008 season. Long Island Motorsports owners, Joey and
Debbie Ambrose, have owned a modified team for many years and
feel that Mike will be the person to give them a shot at the
Riverhead Modified Championship in 2008 and a few wins on some
outside ventures the team has planned. Mike, a past go kart
champ, Riverhead Raceway modified driver and NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour driver has the same feelings toward the 2008
season with this potent team. Adding into the formula is a new
co-crew chief, Sean Collins, for the #3 modified race team,
which just puts the icing on the cake.
Joey got
into the racing scene back in 1986 when, while building a home
for a Riverhead racer, got an offer for a modified in lieu of
some money towards the job. Joey took the car and Long Island
Motorsports began. Since that time, Long Island Motorsports has
had many drivers but could never get a good rhythm going to take
the elusive Riverhead Raceway modified championship. With last
year’s driver buying a modified himself, Long Island Motorsports
was in need of a driver for 2008. Andrews has known Joey and
Debbie for a long time as Mike's mom and Debbie have worked
together and have been friends for some time. Mike has had a few
opportunities to drive for Long Island Motorsports in the past
but something always seemed to get in the way, including getting
a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour ride in the potent #36 of Ed
Whelen. That ride was short lived as Ed secured Ted Christopher,
who had lost his ride, and Mike stepped aside to let TC into the
main car. Mike returned to Riverhead Raceway in his own
modified, self-run, and a few WMT events for Ed but could not
finance the modified operation any longer and ended up selling
his Riverhead car to Dave Sapienza who had totaled his own
modified at Riverhead.
The
situation now just fell in place. Long Island Motorsports, with
3 NASCAR modifieds in their stable, needed a driver and with
Mike anxious for a ride, it seems like this was meant to be.
With Mike not having to maintain and fund the team alone, he can
concentrate of what he does best, DRIVE. And with
the knowledge of Joey Ambrose and Sean Collins coming on board,
this team will definitely be a team to be reckoned with at
Riverhead Raceway, or anywhere for that matter. The team hopes
to also venture to Lee, Mountain, a few possible Whelen Tour
shows and whatever can fit into their schedule financially.
The 2008
team will consist of Mike as the driver, Joey and Sean as co-crew
chiefs and Jay Collins, Peter Orloski and Jim Walsh on the pit
crew. Sponsors of the NASCAR modified #3 consist of Jessup
Landscaping, Tower Fasteners, B&K Precision and Sunoco Fuels.
The team is also looking for associate sponsors to expand their
season to outside venues.
Mike would
like to express his appreciation to Joey and Debbie for giving
him this opportunity to drive. "These two people are the
greatest and I want to thank them for everything they are doing
for me," states Mike. Mike would also, once again, like to thank
his father for everything he has done to get him to this point.
"I would not be where I am today without all my father's
commitment in my racing efforts." Mike's father saw he had great
potential, so he originally fielded the modified team just to
help Mike get his dream fulfilled before he eventually moved to
Florida.
So keep a
close eye on the Long Island Motorsports #3 NASCAR modified team
in 2008. They will definitely be a threat wherever they unload
their car. Anyone interested in being a part of this team in any
way may contact Mike anytime at 631.300.8059 for information.
Source: Richie
Grodski/Long Island Motorsports/Mike Andrews Jr. PR
Posted:
January 13, 2008
