Champions Gearing Up for
Title Defense in 2010
Officials of the NASCAR Whelen All-American
Series at Barbara & Jim Cromarty's Riverhead Raceway are
anticipating that all seven track champions from 2009 will
defend their titles this season. The 61st year of stock car
racing will debut on Saturday evening May 1st with a seven
division race program.
John Fortin who notched his third track title in 2009, along
with the New York State champion for the NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series will be shooting for his second consecutive
crown in the SGS Stone Works Chevy. Dave Brigati and Chuck
Steuer who placed just two markers back of Fortin will be loaded
for bear this year trying to avenge last year's disappointment
when rain dashed their title chances on the final night. Bill
Park will try to enter hallowed ground in 2010, shooting for his
fifth track title which would tie him with the late Charlie
Jarzombek, plus Don Howe and Wayne Anderson, while Anderson
himself will try and be the first driver to earn six
championships in 2010.
Veteran Chris Young hopes for his first Riverhead Raceway
championship this year. Two of the many talented young drivers,
"The Natural" Timmy Solomito and third generation chauffer Eddie
Brunnhoelzl III, at Riverhead also hope to be called champion in
late September. Among some of the drivers also planning on
racing either a full or part time schedule in 2010 are Justin
Bonsignore, Rusty Turbush, Howie Brode, Tom Rogers Jr.
Amber Fortin, Kevin Orlando, Ken Darch, Dennis Scott and rookie
drivers Jerry Solomito Jr. and Frank Russo.
First time Late Model champion Kevin Metzger of Massapequa in
the V&J Auto Body racer after 19-years of racing hopes to make
it two in a row in 2010, but he'll have to ward of the likes of
Scott Kulesa, Roger Oxee, Peter Eriksen, Mike Bologna, Shawn
Patrick, Ken Alfano, Chris LaSpisa, Artie Pedersen Jr. and many
others including rookie driver and former Charger standout Daryn
Miller.
After boasting an average race finish of 1.7 in 2009, along with
eclipsing the 100-win plateau enroute to winning his 8th track
title, can anyone derail Roger Maynor in the Barrasso & Sons
Mason Supplies Ford in 2010? Among those in the Figure Eight
ranks who'll make the attempt are, Scott Pedersen, Johnny Vullo,
Mike Mujsce, Ken Hyde Sr. & Jr., Will Farrell, Arne Pedersen and
the returning "Downtown" George Brown.
Third generation wheelman Chris Turbush in his Carpet Express
entry comes to the 2010 Charger campaign as the two-time
defending titlist seeking his third straight crown in the class.
Hoping to end that run are Chris' father "Dynamite" Dan Turbush,
Chris McGuire, Jerry Solomito, Frank Dumicich Jr., Tom Anderson,
Jay Henschel, Frank Scimeca Jr., Erin Dumicich and Brian Doyle.
All-time leading Blunderbust winner and three-time champion
Tommy "The Wildchild" Walkowiak looks to earn his fourth crown
in the Blaze Fuel Oil Chevy in 2010. Out to halt Tommy, who has
been ready to race since October will be Tom Pickerell, Scott
Maliszewski, Tom Sullivan, "Krazy" Ed Mistretta, Kevin Rommeney,
Paul Parisi, Ray Shannon, Tim Mulqueen and Terry Stiles.
Returning to the class in 2010 are Bryan Sescila, Chris LaSpisa
and Michael Rommeney and they are also a threat for the
championship.
The "King of Queens" Mike Albasini rode his HCC Collision Chevy
to his first career Super Pro Truck crown in 2009 and hopes to
repeat that fete this season. Among his biggest rivals will be
Roger Turbush, Lou Maestri, Rob McCormick, Chris Turbush, the
Dumicich family Frank Sr. & Jr. along with Erin, and "Dangerous"
Dave Koenig. Late in 2009 both Danny Grennan and John Denniston
stated they might not race in 2010, but if either one or both
return they instantly are championship contenders.
Tony Naglieri in the Eveready Racing Legend Race Car notched his
second championship in the class last year and will have to keep
at bay the likes of Timmy Solomito, Glenn Maningo, Paul Dodorico,
the Hiscock family, Silas Sr. & Jr. along with Bill Hiscock,
young guns Johnny Gloor IV, Chris Young and JD Abrahams to earn
his third crown this year.
The chase for the 2010 Riverhead Raceway championship starts
Saturday night May 1st at 5:00 pm and for the entire schedule
please visit
www.riverheadraceway.com or phone 631-842-RACE.
Source:
Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Updated: March
26, 2010
