The NASCAR season officially kicked off this month, and many
Riverhead drivers and teams are busy getting in gear for the
start of the 2009 season here on Long Island. There has been
plenty of team news disclosed in the last month, and there is
sure to be more to come as the ground thaws and the season draws
closer. Anyone wishing to share news should email
tchirico@longislandjam.com.
Modified Division Notes
In 2008, Bill Park won his fourth Modified championship. In an
interview during the offseason, Park commented, "I have the best
car and the best equipment I’ve ever had. If I had this car 30
years ago, I’d have ten championships by now.” As far as his
2009 plans, he stated, "We’re going to start out running, and
we’ll see where it goes from there. We will most likely run the
full season.”
Last month, it was reported that 2008 Legends champion Timmy
Solomito had acquired the former #36 of Dave Sapienza. The
second car formerly owned by Sapienza is expected to hit the
track at Riverhead this season with Modified rookie Shawn Wanat
behind the wheel. While Wanat may be a rookie in the Modified
class, he has plenty of racing experience. The driver captured
not one, but two, enduro championships in 2008.
Eddie Brunnhoelzl III, a former Modified champion at Sundance
Vacations Speedway, has disclosed that his plans are not
definite yet, but that he will likely be at Riverhead again in
2009.
Coll, Busick Team Up With a Late Model
Former Sundance Vacations Speedway Late Model champion Mike Coll
has teamed up with Chris Busick for the 2009 season. Busick will
be the car owner and crew chief on the new Late Model that will
be driven by Coll. The team's plans for 2009 include the full
schedule of races at Riverhead.
Plenty of Competition in the Chargers
A handful of Charger drivers have expressed their intent to
return to the division in 2009. Among them are 2008 champion
Chris Turbush, who will be doing double-duty by driving in the
Super Pro Truck division as well; Chris McGuire, who hopes to
win more races and possibly a championship in 2009; and Tom
Anderson, who stated that he intends to be at the track every
week and to start the race every week. Steve Ratti and the "Rat
Pack" reportedly have not finalized plans for the 2009 season
yet.
New to the Charger ranks in 2009 will be Erin Dumicich. She
will join her brother in doing double-duty in both the Chargers
and the Super Pro Trucks.
Expect a Busy "X" in 2009
The "Altar Boy" Tom Ferrara has informed LongIslandJam.com that
he intends to return to Figure Eight competition in 2009. The
driver, who scored his second career win in May of 2008, will be
driving for Vecchio Racing in 2009. His teammate will be none
other than his uncle, former Figure Eight champion Tom Kraft.
The team is looking for additional sponsorship help; anyone who
is interested can contact
tchirico@longislandjam.com to be put in touch with the team.
"Slim" Jim Donaldson has expressed his intent to return to
the "X" full-time in 2009. Donaldson, who was the 2002 Figure
Eight Rookie of the Year, only made five starts in 2008 but
finished in the top ten in all five of those races. Fans can
also expect to see Donaldson in competition in such events as
car rollover contests and school bus races.
One face that will be missing from Figure Eight competition
is "The Axe" Carl Baxter. The driver informed LongIslandJam.com
that he sold his car, trailer and truck on eBay during the
offseason. The purchaser was a member of the Midwest Outlaw
Vintage Racers (M.O.V.R.) club, who flew in from Kansas and
drove home with his new purchase.
Many Drivers Returning to the Legends
The Legends division, which had a strong car count in 2008, will
have many returning faces in 2009. Tom Sherman, Glenn Maningo
and John Visconti have all expressed their intent to return to
the class. Joe Sedotto, who finished 13th in points as a rookie
in 2008, will also return in 2009, bringing along new sponsor
Titan Global Security. LongIslandJam.com has been informed that
John Beatty will also return, but that he will be in a car
bearing the #14, while his father may turn some laps in the #88.
Roger Coss, the 2008 Legends champion at Sundance Vacations
Speedway, has expressed a desire to potentially run a race or
two at Riverhead during the 2009 season. Coss won features at
both Sundance Vacations Speedway and Bethel Motor Speedway in
2008, but has not yet competed at Riverhead. It is expected that
young Connecticut Legends driver Max Zachem may make a trip or
two to Riverhead during 2009 as well. Zachem had an impressive
run in his first-ever visit to the track in 2008, and was a
contender to win.
LaSpina Obtains Backing
Ed LaSpina, known to many as "Bumper Boy", informed
LongIslandJam.com that he has obtained backing from American
Legion Post #1146 in Bohemia. LaSpina will compete in the 4
cylinder enduro class in 2009.
Curtis Heading Down to North Carolina
Grand Enduro driver Kyle Curtis, who is the son of former
Blunderbust champion Frank Curtis and his wife Vicki, will be
attending NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North
Carolina in the fall. Kyle graduates high school in June, and
will head down to North Carolina with a desire to get involved
in fabrication and design, and also an interest in going "over
the wall" for a Sprint Cup team. Due to all of the uncertainties
involved, Kyle will also be getting his CDL, and possibly taking
some diagnostic and diesel classes. Kyle most recently worked on
Brad VanHouten's crew down in New Smyrna.
SAFER Banquet March 21st
It has been announced that the SAFER banquet for Figure Eight
teams will be held on Saturday, March 21st at Smithtown Landing
Country Club. The event runs from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m., and will
feature awards presentations as well as a DJ and dancing.
Tickets are priced at $65 per person and include a buffet and
open bar. It is open to members of ALL divisions, and anyone
from another division who wishes to make a presentation to
sponsors, crew members, etc. is encouraged to contact SAFER to
arrange to do so at their awards dinner. For tickets or more
information, email
krftracing9@yahoo.com or
krftracing9@aol.com.
TBR Racing Gets Help From Long Island
For obvious reasons, Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) has a strong fan
base here on Long Island. Apparently, the team has some
personnel support as well. Steve Halpin, a former announcer at
Riverhead, has disclosed that he is acting as a marketing
consultant to the team.
Mark Your Calendars
Eddie Brunnhoelzl III informed LongIslandJam.com that he is in
the preliminary stages of planning a race party to be held on
Memorial Day weekend at Senix Creek Inn. The party is expected
to be an all-day affair, giving race fans the opportunity to
watch the Indy 500, followed by the Coca-Cola 600. Full details
will be available on LongIslandJam.com when they become
available.
Source: Tracy
Chirico/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
February 23, 2009
