09/23/2000

DAN McNAMARA, RICH GIORDANO AND RAY FITZGERALD SHARE RIVERHEAD SPOTLIGHT

                                                Riverhead Raceway closed out its 2000 schedule this past Saturday night and as a testament to the soggy season, the final race card of the year was run in less than ideal conditions. When all was said and done however it was Dan McNamara of Water Mill winning the annual Legends Shootout, while Ray Fitzgerald of Manorville won the Invitational Enduro and Rich Giordano of Lindenhurst topped the Super Pro Truck field.

                                                After only racing part time in 2000 so he could spend some quality time with his children at the beach, “The Mac Attack” Dan McNamara made a triumphant return to Legend Race Car competition. At the outset of the Legends Shootout Tom Sherman was quick to pull out to the early advantage with John Rigney giving chase for the first lap. On lap 2 McNamara, who started 6th in the field quickly made his presence known as he raced his way by Rigney for second. After testing leader Sherman for the following three circuits, Dan made the winning move on lap 6 as he raced under Tom for the lead in turn four. Once out front McNamara was able to open a slight but comfortable lead over Sherman as the duo not only had to race each other but the elements as well. The final laps of the race were run in a heavy mist slowing the pace some but in the end Dan McNamara scored the win in the Southampton Brick & Tile entry. Tom Sherman of Copiague was runner-up in the West Amity Auto Parts mount, while 2000 champion Tony Naglieri of Shirley was third in the Bradco Roofing Supply Sedan.

                                                In the 20 lap Super Pro Truck feature Rich Giordano led all the way to capture his first win of the season in his Millennium Theatre Systems Dodge. At the drop of the green Giordano was quickest to the first turn taking the lead of the contest with Lenny Costa giving chase. Costa pursued Giordano for the first 9 laps of the tilt before he was over taken by Richie Gottfried Jr. on lap 10. Gottfried in the Island Fabricating Chevy tried all he could to catch Giordano but the latter had already built an insurmountable lead and raced his way to victory lane. In for third behind Giordano and Gottfried was Larry Costa of College Point in the Golden Auto Body Dodge.

                                                Ron “Hurricane” Humes of East Rockaway clinched his second straight Super Pro Truck championship when he took the green flag for the event which found Ron placing 4th in the Dealers Marine GMC.

                                                In the annual Invitational Enduro Ray Fitzgerald of Manorville continued his hot 2000 season when he won the $1,000 first place prize and handsome trophy from Barbara and Jim Cromarty. Fitzgerald topped the “all-star” race for the Enduro troops in his Artie Foersterbrook Bobcat Service Chevy.

                                                In the regular 100 lap Enduro Walter Stroud of Medford won his 6th race of 2000, while the nightcap for the full size Enduros fell to James Zelli of Deer Park. “Pistol” Pete Mikos of lake Ronkonkoma won the 4 Cylinder Enduro, while Joe McNulty Sr. of Bay Shore topped the 4/6 Cylinder Pick Up Truck Enduro.

                                                Completing the evening’s winners were Mike Holmes of Holtsville in the One On One Spectator Drags, while Jeff Wolfe of Selden topped the Car Rollover Contest.

Source:  Riverhead Raceway Press Release
Posted:  September 23, 2000