In just a few short weeks, it is expected that a wealth of
Legends driving talent will converge on Bethel Motor Speedway to
take part in LegendStock 2009 presented by RACEceiver, believed
to be the highest paying single Legends race in the Northeast.
Among those who have filed entries for the event are several
Riverhead Raceway regulars.
Glenn Maningo, who was recently dubbed "Grassroots Glenn" by
some of his followers, was among the early entrants for the
race. Maningo, who currently sits fifth in Riverhead Raceway
points standings with four top ten finishes in six races, failed
to qualify for last year's event after being black-flagged for
bumper damage in his heat race, and is looking for a chance to
prove what he can do at Bethel in this year's race. Maningo
finished fifth in his only 2009 trip to Bethel, after leading
for the first ten laps of the race.
Also among the early entrants was John Beatty, who finished
second in Riverhead points in 2008 and is currently sixth in the
points standings with one win and four top tens in six starts.
Beatty finished 11th in Bethel's season opener, after suffering
a flat that took him out of the race. Beatty finished 16th in
LegendStock 2008, while he captured a second-place finish in his
heat race.
Kevin Nowak also expressed his intent to compete. Nowak was the
2008 Semi-Pro champ for the state of New York. He finished sixth
in Riverhead points in 2008, and is currently 11th, with one win
and three top tens in six races. Nowak competed regularly at
Bethel in the early part of the season, finishing as high as
second in the opening weeks. Of the Long Islanders planning to
compete in LergendStock 2009, Nowak has racked up the most seat
time at Bethel so far this year. He had a strong showing in the
2008 event, bringing home a fifth place finish.
Greg DiCanio, who suffered misfortune in his heat race and was
unable to compete in the feature in his only trip to Bethel so
far in 2009, also intends to take part in LegendStock 2009.
DiCanio, also referred to as "Stumpy Wheeler", finished fifth in
2008 Riverhead Legends points and is presently 16th in the
standings, with one top ten finish in only four races. For
DiCanio, it will be his LegendStock debut, as the driver did not
compete in the event last year.
Another driver who has only had limited seat time at Riverhead
in 2009 who plans to make the trip to Bethel for LegendStock
2009 is Mike Malone. Malone scored three top fives in four
starts at Riverhead in 2008, and has one top ten in two starts
so far in 2009. In his only visit to Bethel so far in 2009,
Malone won his heat race and was contending for the lead when he
was involved in an incident that ended his night. Malone
finished 17th in LegendStock 2008.
Other Riverhead regulars who have expressed an intent to compete
in LegendStock 2009 but who have yet to turn any laps at Bethel
so far in the 2009 season include James Pape, Anthony Cacioppo,
and John Visconti. Pape is currently 15th in Riverhead points,
with one top ten in five starts. Cacioppo presently sits 23rd in
points, as he has only competed in half of the division's
scheduled races. Visconti made his Riverhead debut last week,
and was unable to make the feature after his car suffered heavy
damage in an incident in his heat race.
The Riverhead regulars competing in LegendStock 2009 are sure to
have a vast amount of talent to contend with for the win. These
include Mike Alcaro, who currently leads in Bethel Legends
points with six wins in seven starts; other Bethel 2009 feature
winners Kenny VanWickle, Joe DeGracia, and John Demarmels; and
additional Bethel regulars John Hugate, Matt Maring, Joe Fresco,
Raven Schrantz, and Joe Graf. Others who are expected to take
part in the race include Michael Blaskey, Jason Palmer, Roger
Coss, Luke Marzano, Casey Robicheau, and Steve and Mike Stull.
Tim Brockhouse, last year's Masters division winner, is expected
to make the trip from Minnesota. Georgia's Andrew Smith is
expected to return, and Virginia's Kevin Yeatts is expected to
make his LegendStock debut.
Riverhead drivers who made the trip to Bethel for LegendStock
2008 but have yet to confirm their plans for this year's race
include Paul Dodorico and Jim Byrne. Dodorico is the defending
champion at Bethel, where he competed regularly before the
division returned to Riverhead. In 2008, Dodorico finished ninth
in Riverhead points. He currently sits in eighth, with three top
ten finishes in six races. Dodorico finished 23rd in LegendStock
2008, pulling off of the track early after being plagued by
mechanical issues. In his only 2009 appearance at Bethel,
Dodorico scored an 11th place finish. Byrne was 15th in
Riverhead points in 2008, recording two top tens in seven
starts. He has competed in one race at Riverhead so far in the
2009 season. Byrne did not qualify for LegendStock 2008.
Several other Riverhead regulars who have made appearances at
Bethel in 2009 but also who have not confirmed their plans for
LegendStock 2009 include Johnnie Gloor IV, JD Abrahams, and Joe
Sedotto.
LegendStock 2009 will take place at Bethel Motor Speedway on
August 15, with a raindate of August 16. The race has a total
guaranteed purse of $3,000, with the winner collecting $1,500 of
that total. Sponsors for the event include McGraw Moving &
Storage, United Financial Bank of Florida, Universal Pool
Maintenance and Services, and Power Battery Company. This week,
it was announced that RACEceiver had signed on as the title
sponsor for the event. The track will utilize a RACEceiver
transponder system, and drivers will be provided with the
transponders for the race free of charge.
Gates are slated to open at 1 p.m. for LegendStock 2009, with
tech inspection taking place from 1:15 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Hot
laps are slated to run from 3:00 p.m. until 4 p.m., with
qualifying set to begin at 5 p.m. The race will use a
combination of both time trials and heat races to set the field.
Entry for the event is $50, which includes a Legends car and
driver. Grandstand admission is just $5.
More details and entry forms can be obtained online at
www.legendstock2009.com. Any questions about the event can be
directed to
legendstockny@yahoo.com.
Source: Tracy Chirico /
LegendStock 2009
Posted: July 31, 2009
