The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is marking its Silver
anniversary in 2009. It has become a mainstay at Barbara & Jim
Cromarty's Riverhead Raceway, which for the 25th year in a row
will play host to a WMT event Saturday August 1st.
After the NASCAR National Modified Championship became the
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 1985, the Cromarty's stepped-up
and hosted three shows that inaugural season, all mid-week shows
on Wednesday nights. History was made on July 10th, 1985 when
"Mr. Excitement" Jimmy Spencer crossed the line first chased by
Brian Ross and local favorite Fred Harbach. Spencer would win
round two in 1985 on August 7th, while the late Richie Evans, a
9-time NASCAR National Modified champ won on August 28th.
In the 47 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races contested at
Riverhead in 24 seasons the win list is a virtual who's, who of
NASCAR Modified competition. Leading the all-time win list is
the popular Mike Ewanitsko, who graced victory lane at his home
track 11 times before an early retirement for health concerns.
Second on that list and tops among the active drivers on the WMT
is "Mighty" Mike Stefanik with 6 triumphs, his first of which
came driving the #37 for Clint Hanks on July 9th, 1986.
Tied for third on the all-time WMT win list are the two most
recent champions on the circuit, Ted Christopher and Donny Lia
with 4 victories apiece. Christopher will defend his 2007 title
for Long Island based car owner Ed Whelan, while Lia the 2007
champion will return to the Mystic Missile #4 in 2009.
The Riverhead Raceway regulars have fared well over the years
with Dan Jivanelli the first to win a race on August 6, 1986,
the first of two wins for Dan in a WMT race. Other Riverhead
regulars to hit the winner's circle include Wayne Anderson in
1993, Don Howe in 1994 while the last to do so was Ed
Brunnhoelzl Jr. in 1995.
Other drivers among the 20 all-time winners on the list
include two-time winners, Tom Baldwin, Rick Fuller, Jerry
Marquis, Steve Park, and Reggie Ruggiero. Drivers earning one
career victory at the 58-year old historic quarter mile oval
include the late John Blewett III, Jimmy Blewett (the most
recent WMT winner in 2008), Tommy Cravenho, Ed Flemke Jr. and
Bob Park.
As the cars and stars of the 2009 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
head to Riverhead Raceway in late summer, will a new winner
expand the all-time win list to 21, or will a driver already on
that star-studded roster add another victory to their portfolio?
Can a Riverhead Raceway regular finally end the 14-year dry
spell since Ed Brunnhoelzl's 1995 win?
If you love NASCAR Modified racing and its rich history then
mark your calendar now for Saturday August 1st, 2009 as for the
25th consecutive year Barbara & Jim Cromarty will play host to
the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Source:
Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted:
March 21, 2009
