05/28/2000
AL ERMMARINO TOPS RIVERHEAD RACEWAY KEYTRADE ONLINE.COM
50 MODIFIED FIELD
"Fast" Al Ermmarino of Brookhaven collected his first NASCAR
Modified victory of the 2000 season this past Saturday night. He
topped a 22-car field in the KeyTrade Online.com 50 double point feature
event at Riverhead Raceway. The win was worth a handsome $1,820 to
Ermmarino of which $300 came from a Sunoco Race Fuels bonus.
In the pre race time trials Chuck Steuer for the second time this season set
quick time with a lap of 11.713. However, when the top six redrew for
position the former track champion drew 6th. At the drop of the green
flag Howie Brode sped out front with Ed Brunnhoelzl Jr. running second for
the first lap. In a bold move during the second circuit of the
race Al Ermmarino ducked under Brunnhoelzl for the second spot.
"Fast" Al quickly zeroed his efforts on race leader Brode.
For the first 38 laps of the contest the top two would run in this order but
a 38th lap caution changed the complexion of the race in a big way.
During the 38th lap yellow Howie Brode suddenly veered into the pit area
with a broken bolt in the trailing arm of his machine, moving Al Ermmarino
into the lead and Chuck Steuer second. But Meanwhile as crews worked to
unlock the cars of Ken Matlach and Wayne Anderson, which drew the caution,
Steuer also made a sudden visit to the pit area with a right front flat.
The wild turn of events during the yellow moved Frank Vigliarolo Jr. into
second position. The final dozen laps found the defending track
champion trying to score the win in a race sponsored by his own major
corporate sponsor.
However, when the race went back to green Al Ermmarino in the Smithtown
Volkswagen entry had everyone covered as he raced to his first win of the
season. "I guess we proved everyone wrong by winning this race in
a home built chassis by Meade's Welding & Fabricating. They said
it couldn't be done." Al boasted after treating the fans to a
wild post race victory lap. Al added, "I can't thank the Bedell
family from Smithtown Volkswagen enough for their faith in me. When
they joined our team prior to 2000 that built confidence in myself. I
want to also tip my hat to Crystal Fall Landscape Design and BZNY Clothing
for their loyal support and most of all my team, they have so much faith in
me".
Joe Hartmann of Riverhead made a late race pass for the runner-up position
with an inside move by Frank Vigliarolo Jr. of Medford in the third and
fourth turn. The Miller Environmental Cavalier wound up second.
Vigliarolo would have to be content with third in the KeyTrade Online.com
Monte Carlo. Dan Jivanelli of Hampton Bays was fourth, while Mike
Curtis of Riverhead had a solid night with a fine fifth place tally.
The scheduled 20 lap Figure Eight feature was cut short to 6 laps due to the
time limit in what would be one of the wildest races ever seen in this
division. When the race was checkered Ken Hyde of Medford scored his
first win of 2000. Ken Darch lead the first two laps of the event
before he gave way to Bobby Wallace on the third lap. Wallace was
building himself a comfortable lead when all of a sudden on lap 5 disaster
struck at the intersection. He hit the Rich Busick machine full bore
at the "X". Both drivers were okay but done for the night.
This handed the lead over to Ken Hyde who had Tom Rogers Jr. in tow, as the
race got even wilder.
On lap 6 a multi car tangle in turn three of the Figure Eight course found
the cars of Carl Baxter, Ed Mistretta and Tom Kraft were stacked up in a
tripod formation. This was a sight even the most veteran officials and
fans couldn't believe. During this caution flag the time limit ran out
and Ken Hyde in the Emerald Island Supply Beretta was declared the winner.
Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue placed second in the Graphix Design Ford, while
Bill Batsche of Central Islip was third in the Island Moving Supply Monte
Carlo.
Jimmy O'Connor collected his first win of the new season when he triumphed
in the 20-lap Charger feature event after an early race duel for the lead
with former schoolmate Tony Anello. Anello quickly bolted to the lead
at the start of the race with O'Connor a close second. Jimmy wasted little
time in making a move for the lead on the third lap, with an inside move on
Anello, moved out in front, exiting turn four. Anello spent the next 5
laps trying to stay close to O'Connor, but on the 9th lap Dennis Krupski
would then over take him for second. Once to second Krupski would try
to latch onto O'Connor, however the latter was not to be stopped on this
night. He drove the Friehoffers Baking Products Ford straight to
victory lane. Dennis Krupski of Calverton was second in the Delfino
Insulation machine, while Dave Brigati of Calverton was third in the Formula
113 Car Wax entry.
Chris Chirico of Huntington took home his first win of the 2000 campaign
when he topped the 20-lap Blunderbust feature event. Early in the race
Scott Sepe set the pace of the race as he lead the first two laps of the
feature. The third lap found Sean Byrne passing Sepe for the top spot.
Byrne, who is seeking his first career win, proceeded to lead the next 5
laps of the race before he saw Chris Chirico make his way by for the lead on
lap 8. Once out front Chirico would then steer the J. Russo
Contracting Chevy to victory. Bobby Gardner crossed the line second,
but
in post race inspection was found with unapproved suspension parts.
That moved Chris Busick of Lake Ronkonkoma into the runner-up position in
the 3 Sons Auto Wreckers mount, with Henry Cataldo of N. Massapequa coming
home third in the Beato Fuel entry.
Rob White Jr. of Cold Spring Harbor took home his second career Legend Race
Car feature when he topped a 26-car field in a 25 lap main event.
After John Wanat lead the first lap of the race Rob White Jr. made an early
bid for the lead pay off when he raced by Wanat to the outside exiting turn
four. Once he reached the lead White in the Alliance Insurance Group
machine would then be tested by some of the top drivers in the class as Fred
Card draped himself on White's back bumper from the 4th until 10th lap.
Then the 11th cycle saw defending Legend champion Rich Gerbe move by Card
for second. The final 14 laps, Rich would test the skills of White,
but he would be equal to each and every challenge and he indeed would take
the win. Rich Gerbe of Elmont was a close runner-up in the Hempstead
Tire racer, while Fred Card of East Hampton was third in the RES
Construction mount.
The Saturday night portion of the Memorial Day weekend double header came to
a smashing conclusion with the first Demolition Derby of 2000, which was won
by Ed "Speedo" Jager of Levittown.
In Sunday afternoon action Ron "Hurricane" Humes of East Rockaway
took home his second Super Pro Truck feature win of 2000. Tony
Giarraputo lead the first lap of the 20 lap main event before Dave Koenig
passed him on the second lap. "Dangerous" Dave would then
set the pace until lap 6 when Lou Maestri moved out front. All the
while "Hurricane" Ron Humes was racing into the picture.
Maestri lead the race from the 7th lap until the 15th, but on lap 16 Humes
put his Chevy to the outside of Maestri for the lead and he indeed not only
took command of the race, but he would steer the Commuters Club of East
Rockaway machine into victory lane. Lou Maestri of Deer Park was
runner-up in the Schwing Electric entry, while Tom Gallo was third in
the Gallo's Used Auto Parts machine.
In other Sunday afternoon action Walter Stroud of Medford won the first 100
lap full sized Enduro, while Danny Webster of Copiague took the nightcap.
The 4 Cylinder Enduro was won by Steve Johnson of Yaphank, while Curt Cafaro
of Bay Shore won the Car Rollover Contest and Will "The Thrill"
McDonald of Bayside won the Spectator Drag.
Source: Riverhead Raceway
Press Release
Posted: May 31, 2000
