Riverhead Raceway officials hosted their annual competitors’
winter meetings this past weekend at the Polish Hall in
Riverhead. Many competitors turned out to discuss the 2009
season, and the plans for each of the divisions. With the
exception of the NASCAR Modifieds, which had a separate meeting,
the divisions met two at a time.
Each meeting began with a brief welcome from track announcer
Bob Finan, who let everyone know that track promoters and owners
Barbara and Jim Cromarty are ready and looking forward to the
2009 season.
Attendees were informed that Brett will not be returning with
Iron Man Welding this year, and Sonny is looking for someone to
come on board to assist him for the 2009 season. Interested
parties should contact
info@riverheadraceway.com.
It was announced that the officiating staff will, for the
most part, remain the same as it was in 2008. Mike Cappiello and
Jim Maggio will return as co-chief stewards, with Jim Kelly
returning as a track steward. Walter Bonczyk will again head up
technical inspections, with Ernie Keisling and Terry Fallon
assisting. Christine Healy and Pat Cappiello will again handle
registrations, while Christie Wanat and Becky Collins will
handle handicapping. Denise Darch will return as the head
scorer. Mike Rickert and Smokey Boken will be returning as well.
Jeff Bressler will be coming back to assist Finan in the
announcer’s booth.
The Sunoco Race Fuels distributorship will be taken over in
2009 by Fred Bobb Jr., whose father handled gas sales at
Riverhead Raceway for more than 20 years before his passing.
It was announced that two preseason safety inspection days
will be hosted at the raceway on April 4th and 11th, running
from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., weather permitting. All cars must pass
safety inspection before they will be allowed on the track, so
drivers are urged to take advantage of the dates to avoid long
lines at the preseason practice days scheduled for April 18th
and 25th.
A few rule changes were announced that will affect all
divisions. Cars winning a feature event will no longer be
penalized by being placed in the last handicapped position for
the following week’s race. In addition, winners will no longer
be restricted from the first two rows in the feature line-up
following their victory. In short, straight handicapping will
apply. Cars suffering from any mechanical or other issues and
choosing to withdraw prior to qualifying will now be required to
have their inability to compete verified by a member of the
technical inspection staff, or be handicapped with a feature
win.
Competitors were informed of several initiatives that are
being undertaken for the 2009 season. The track is working to
outfit a safety truck, to be in the infield during all race
events. The truck will be equipped with the Jaws of Life, a fire
blanket, fire extinguishers, and other assorted safety gear.
The track is also working to develop a program to make the
winners of each night’s features accessible to the public,
potentially signing autographs in a designated area.
While NASCAR Day will be recognized nationwide on May 15th,
Riverhead will commemorate the day on Saturday, May 16th. Last
year, Riverhead raised $750 for the NASCAR Foundation, and it is
hoped that this year's figure will surpass that. The NASCAR
Foundation makes grants to other foundations, which in turn fund
programs of their choice. Last year, North Shore Animal League
was the recipient of a $5,000 grant from the Greg Biffle
Foundation. Anyone who has items that they would like to
contribute for a raffle or any ideas for ways to raise money for
NASCAR Day should email
info@riverheadraceway.com.
Several 2008 season awards were announced, and trophy
presentations will follow during the regular 2009 season.
The award for Best Appearing Modified went to Chuck Steuer.
Scott Kulesa was given the award in the Late Model division,
while Chris McGuire was the winner in the Chargers. Erin
Dumicich won Best Appearing Super Pro Truck, and Scott
Maliszewski captured it in the Blunderbust class. The Best
Appearing Figure Eight award went to Roger Maynor.
Both Artie Pedersen Jr. and Johnnie Gloor IV were named
Rookie of the Year in the Late Model division. Timmy Solomito
won the award in the Chargers, with Scott Pedersen grabbing it
in the Figure Eight class.
Each meeting included an explanation of division-specific
rule changes that are going to be implemented.
In the Blunderbust division, the rules will be changed
to reflect the need to add 100 pounds to any car that has an
altered chassis. Blunderbust cars will also be subject to a two
tire rule. Hoosier Comanche tires will no longer be allowed.
The majority of rule changes for the Legends division,
governed by INEX, can be obtained from the sanctioning body.
Legends at Riverhead will be required to run a RaceCeiver
one-way receiver in 2009, a move that is expected to facilitate
faster lineups. The division will go from a draw system for
lineup to regular handicapping in 2009.
The Charger division rules will be adjusted to reflect
the ability to use aftermarket ball joints and electric fans.
Those in the division will also be allowed to run pistons with
coated skirts in order to extend the life of old blocks without
having them bored. The class will have a two tire rule. As is
the case in other divisions, tires must be used in the feature
on the night they are purchased.
The Super Pro Truck division will be allowed to run
headers in 2009. The only acceptable header is the Speedway
Engineering part number 930-0100. That specific part is the only
one that will be legal for use. The header has a 1-1/2 inch
primary opening and a 2-1/2 inch collector that must be reduced
back down to 2 inches at the header. The headers can be ordered
online at
www.SpeedwayMotors.com, or by calling 1-800-979-0122. Super Pro Trucks will also
have a two tire rule in the upcoming season.
Those in the Late Model class will be permitted to
purchase four tires for use Opening Night, and two tires per
week thereafter. Anyone with new tires remaining from the 2008
season may bring those tires to the track, dismount them and
have them checked, and use them for competition on Opening
Night. The officials have taken under consideration the request
to allow drivers to purchase four tires for extra distance
races.
In the Figure Eight class, old Late Model chassis will
be allowed. Because of the nature of Figure Eight racing,
competitors in the division will be allowed to purchase two
tires per week, but to leave their new tires with the
officiating staff to collect a full set of tires, which they can
then put on their cars. Officials are looking into the
possibility of allowing the Figure Eights to run time trials
during one or more of their double point races.
The Modified class will face a number of rule changes.
The majority of those changes, handed down from NASCAR, are
outlined in a NASCAR Technical Bulletin that is available to
competitors.
The tire procedure for the Modifieds will change slightly
from 2008, with each competitor being limited to purchasing four
tires per week for use in competition. The top 15 qualifiers –
those finishing in the top five in each of three heat races –
will be required to purchase a set of tires or start at the rear
of the field. Tires in all divisions will be branded for that
week, and officials will be able to determine what tires are
eligible for use.
The tire impound area will be moved next to the tech area,
making it a more secure area.
Modified teams will be required to have a spotter in the
designated spotter’s area in the turn 3 pit stands, and that
area will be restricted for use only by spotters.
In the enduro classes, competitors were informed that
those running in “stock” divisions will not be permitted any
type of spring rubber, spacer, or other part in the springs that
did not come stock from the factory.
In the Grand enduro class, Hoosier Comanche tires will
no longer be allowed. All cars in the division will be required
to run the designated Hoosier 790, which is the same tire the
Blunderbust class uses.
The rules for the demolition derby class were
clarified to include any 1980 or newer American-made hard top
passenger car. For the championship event, all cars will be
allowed, with the exception of Imperials.
Overall, the officials expressed optimism about the upcoming
season, and are looking forward to Opening Night May 2nd.
Source: Tracy
Chirico/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
January 26, 2009
