Riverhead to Present Richie Evans HoF Induction Celebration
61-Lap Modified Event on August 27
Riverhead Raceway promoters Barbara &
Jim Cromarty announced Wednesday, just hours after it was
revealed that the late, great Richie Evans was among the five
inductees for the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012, that they would
present a 61-lap NASCAR Modified race in celebration of Evans
forthcoming enshrinement. The 61-laps will, of course, be the
race distance because of the number 61 that was Richie’s car
number on his famous “big orange” race car. On Saturday evening
August 27th the Richie Evans HoF Induction Celebration 61 will
be contested with a format of time trial qualifying in place for
what is sure to be a very special race.
Anytime Richie's "big orange" hauler pulled into the pit area of
Long Island's three race tracks, Freeport Stadium, Islip
Speedway and Riverhead Raceway the fans knew they were going to
be in for a treat and the local competitors knew it was time to
step-up their game. After all the racing was done Richie, a
9-time NASCAR National Modified champion, always found time to
stay after the races to greet and socialize with his loyal Long
Island fans, even if he had a race in upstate New York the
following night.
Barbara & Jim Cromarty have been on both the nominating
committee for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, as well as the panel that
votes in the class of five annually since the Hall opened three
years ago. Knowing what Richie Evans meant not just to Modified
racing, but to the spirit of NASCAR itself led Barbara Cromarty
to deliver a heartfelt speech in the moments leading-up to the
voting process.
Both Barbara & Jim felt very strongly that Richie was not just a
champion on the race track for NASCAR and its short track
programs, but he was also an ambassador away from the
track. The Cromarty's felt that running this race in honor of
Richie's induction into the NASCAR HoF would be a
great celebration for the thousands of grass roots racers who
still love and revere one of the greatest NASCAR racers of all
time.
The 61-lap race will be the second such race of 2011 at
Riverhead Raceway and like the NASCAR Hall of Fame 100 in May
won by Timmy Solomito will utilize time trial qualifying for the
24-car field. The race will be a single points paying affair for
the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track title with the
winner receiving a guaranteed starting position of the King of
the Mountain Modified fall classic at the Mountain Speedway in
St. Johns, Pa.
The Late Models will run a 50-lap time trial main event of their
own on August 27th, with the Chargers, Blunderbusts and a Grand
Enduro completing the race program.
Riverhead Raceway is seeking sponsorship for the Richie Evans
HoF Induction Celebration 61 and for further information contact
Bob Finan at 631-842-RACE or e-mail him at
info@riverheadraceway.com.
Source:
Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR
Posted: June 21, 2011
