10/09/2000

RIVERHEAD REGULARS TO DO BATTLE THIS WEEKEND AT THOMPSON...

    Thompson Speedway's "World Series" brings many from a far to race for one of the biggest race weekends of the year.  This year's World Series features a lot of excitement.  Divisions racing includes the regular Thompson shows of Pro Stocks, Late Models, Mini Stocks, Strictly Stocks, Sunoco (SK) Modifieds, and Pro 4 Modifieds.  Special Shows include Outlaws (not to be confused with the World of Outlaws), Formula Pro Racing, Race Against Cancer Trucks, ISMA Super Modifieds, and the grand finale of Featherlite Modifieds which happens to be the last race of the season with a points margin between first of Jerry Marquis and second of Reggie Ruggiero of a mere 8 points.

    Long Island natives will be participating in the fun as well.  Representing Long Island Modifieds will be Mike Curtis in the #29 TS Haulers entry along with teammate Ken Heagy in the #70 TS Haulers entry.  J.R. Bertuccio will also make the trip up in his #02 Gershow Recycling Chevrolet as well as Howie Brode in his #96 Petro Fuel Oil Chevrolet.

    The Riverhead Charger class will be well represented with about 10 entries in the Thompson Late Model division.  Dennis Krupski has borrowed the car of Riverhead regular, Mike Watson, and basically stripped it and rebuilt it with majority of it being Krupski owned parts.   Rusty Turbush will be heading up after a strong return season at Riverhead in his #17x Panasonic Pontiac.  Coming off his championship, Dave Brigati looks to have some more fun at Thompson along with teammate Brian Schwarz.  Others trying to make the show are Rob Tribuzio in the #01 Riverhead Trailer Dodge, Steve Ratti in the #75 PJ Wyer Contracting Pontiac, Tom Soper in his #4 SPONSORS WANTED Oldsmobile, and John Piazza in the #48 Pontiac.

    The Riverhead Late Model class will also be represented in the Thompson Pro Stock ranks by the #72 Ocean Outboard Pontiac of Greg Kleila, #14 Tobay Printing Pontiac of Mike Mortimer, and the #6 SPONSORS WANTED Dodge of Chris Mangels...

    Here's some notes on the Featherlite Modified Series at Thompson:

* The 17th and final Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Touring race of 2000, the 27th Annual World Series of Speedway Racing presented by XTRA Mart Convenience Stores, will be held at Thompson (CT) International Speedway on Oct. 14-15,  2000.

* Posted awards are $63,511 for the 125-lap race. Bud Pole qualifying is scheduled for 2:45 pm. on Oct. 14 to determine positions 1-29. Five provisional starting positions are also available. A 25-lap Qualifying race is scheduled for 12:00 noon on Oct. 15 to transfer the final two cars. Thirty-six cars will start the World Series. The race is scheduled to go green at approximately 2:45 pm on Oct.15.

* The 2000 Featherlite Modified Series Championship will be decided at the World Series. Jerry Marquis (2487 points) leads Reggie Ruggiero (2479 points) and Rick Fuller (2399 points) in the series standings. These three are the only drivers with a mathematical chance of winning the title.

* Thompson International Speedway has hosted more Featherlite Modified Series races than any other speedway. There have been 69 series events at Thompson since 1985 including the first on March 31, 1985.

* Rick Fuller is the defending champion of the World Series. He also won this race in 1988, his first series victory. Current series drivers with World Series victories include: Mike Ewanitsko (1997), Tony Hirschman (1989) and Reggie Ruggiero  (1987,92)

* This will be the final of three series events at Thompson in 2000.  Current Featherlite Modified Series point leader Jerry Marquis was the winner of the Budweiser 150 in July. Ted Christopher was the winner of the Pepsi 125 in August.

* Rick Fuller leads the series active drivers with seven victories at Thompson. Reggie Ruggiero has five. Mike Stefanik is the all time series leader with 10 wins at Thompson.

* The series qualifying record at Thompson is 18.683 seconds (120.430 mph) set by Jan Leaty 10/17/98.

* During the first 16 Featherlite Modified Series events of 2000, 111 different drivers have attempted to qualify for at least one event.

* As of Oct. 6, 55 teams have filed entries for the World Series.

Source:  LongIslandJam.com/J.A. Ackley/FMS Press Release
Posted:  October 9, 2000