07/13/2009
Riverhead To Honor
Three NASCAR Modified Legends Saturday Night
by Bob Finan
Collectively they were not only three of the most successful
drivers in NASCAR Modified racing, but they also were outspoken
and very colorful drivers and Saturday evening July 17th Barbara
and Jim Cromarty will pay tribute to "Tiger" Tom Baldwin, Richie
Evans and "Charging" Charlie Jarzombek with a 77-lap Memorial
race. The event is being sponsored by Northeastern Office
Equipment and is perhaps the highlight of the regular Riverhead
Raceway NASCAR Modified schedule.
Charlie Jarzombek nailed down the Riverhead Raceway track
championship on five occasions in his illustrious career to go
along with a title at the Stafford Motor Speedway and "Charging"
Charlie remains the all-time leading winner in the class with 63
victories at the quarter mile.
"Tiger" Tom Baldwin was known as the leader of the Long Island
Gang, this after Charlie died at Martinsville Speedway in 1986.
Tom and Charlie grew tighter as the years wore on and in fact
Baldwin once drove one of the famed number 1 Vega bodied
machines at Riverhead. Dubbed "the Greatest Show on Earth"
Baldwin relished the role of mentor to many young drivers along
the way.
"The Rapid Roman" Richie Evans without question was the most
successful "invader" upon his visits to Long Island on his way
to a record nine NASCAR National Modified championships. Evans
won races not just at Riverhead, but Islip Speedway and Freeport
Stadium as well and Richie especially loved the famed Long
Island after race pit parties with the likes of Baldwin,
Jarzombek and Fred Harbach among others.
Northeastern Office Equipment based out of Farmingdale
stepped-up to sponsor the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek Memorial 77
late this spring and Chuck Steuer who is sponsored by Grant
Williams and Northeastern Office Equipment is a former winner of
this prestigious event.
"Showtime" Jimmy Blewett made a late race pass for the lead to
claim the 2008 edition of the 77 passing NASCAR Modified
champion Bill Park on the 70th lap for the win. Aside from
Blewett, Park and Steuer among those on hand will be third place
finisher in '08 race Justin Bonsignore, Dave Brigati, Chris
Young, Wayne Anderson, John Fortin, Howie Brode, Eric Goodale
and many more top flight NASCAR Modified pilots.
Aside from the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek Memorial 77 by
Northeastern Office Equipment a full slate of NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series racing is on tap for USG Night. The Late
Models will return and be joined by the Figure Eights, Chargers,
Super Pro Trucks and an 8-Cylinder Enduro.
Time trials for the NASCAR Modifieds will start qualifying at
5:00 pm with feature event racing set for 6:00 pm.
For further information please call 631-842-RACE or visit
www.riverheadraceway.com.
Source: Bob Finan /
Riverhead Raceway
Posted: July 13, 2009
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