RIVERHEAD LOSES SHOW TO RAIN,
JOHN FORTIN 2009 MODIFIED CHAMPION
A stubborn low pressure system that sat off Long Island for
two days forced Riverhead Raceway promoters Barbara & Jim
Cromarty to cancel the final NASCAR Whelen All American Series
show of the year. With the rainout John Fortin of Holtsville
sewed-up the 2009 NASCAR Modified title, the third of his
career.
Rain started falling around 1:45 pm, but with three drivers
separated by just two points going into the final 35-lap NASCAR
Modified feature of the season Barbara & Jim Cromarty made the
decision to try and wait out the wet stuff. However with the
clock nearing 4:00 pm and rain still falling the tough decision
to call the show was made.
For John Fortin the 2009 title is his third career championship
and his first since 2003 with his other crown coming in 2001.
John wheeling the SGS Stone Works Chevy won one-third of the
races in 2009 visiting victory lane 5 times during his title
run.
Both Dave Brigati of Calverton and Chuck Steuer of Bohemia, who
were tied for second behind Fortin just two points back, were
bitterly disappointed by the washout but realized track
officials waited probably 90-minutes longer than a normal race
night.
The rainout also clinched the 2009 Blunderbust crown for Tommy
"The Wildchild" Walkowiak of Ridge his third title in the last
four years as the driver of the Unique Golf Chevy won the title
two years running in 2006 and 2007. The class still has a 30-lap
single points race this Saturday September 19th, but Tommy's
advantage over Tom Pickerell is well above 52-points.
Tony Naglieri of Lindenhurst notched his second career Legend
Race Car championship over defending champion Timmy Solomito, as
the class has no more races remaining in '09. Naglieri also won
the 2000 Legend Race Car championship wheeling the Eveready
Racing #94.
Racing will continue this Saturday September 19th with the
Miller Lite Night National Demolition Derby being joined by the
Late Models, Figure Eights, Chargers, Blunderbusts, Super Pro
Trucks and a Blindfolded Taxicab Race. The Late Models and
Figure Eights will run 30-laps, while the Chargers, Blunderbusts
and Golden Auto Body night Super Pro Trucks will go 30-circuits.
The Chargers and Blunderbusts will use time trials for
qualifying while all other classes will start via the tracks
handicapping system.
Time trials for the Chargers and Blunderbusts will go green at
4:15 pm with feature event racing starting at 5:30 pm. For
further information please call 631-842-RACE or visit
www.riverheadraceway.com.
Source: Bob Finan /
Riverhead Raceway
Posted: September
14, 2009
