John Fortin Sr. Announces Long Island Truck Parts Sponsorship Entering His Final Full Time NASCAR Modified Season At Riverhead Raceway
Former three time Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified champion John Fortin Sr. of Holtsville announced Wednesday Long Island Truck Parts has signed on with his team as a major sponsor for what he also disclosed will be his final full time season at Riverhead Raceway. When the green flag waves on the 40-lap NASCAR Modified feature for the May 5th Cinco de Mayo 2018 opening night race card at Riverhead Fortin will begin his 38th season of racing on Long Island. Eight action packed feature events are planed for the Cinco de Mayo opener at Riverhead all for a reduced $20 adult admission.
“I’m both honored and excited to announce Long Island Truck Parts has signed on for what will be my final full time season in a NASCAR Modified in 2018” Fortin, 54 , disclosed. “The addition of Long Island Truck Parts in my opinion may just put our team over the top as we chase out 4th NASCAR Modified championship at Riverhead. I really can’t thank the Naples family for having the faith in us to do so” Fortin furthered. Long Island Truck Parts is a leader in providing parts and services to the trucking and transportation industry on L.I. and boast four locations in Medford, West Babylon, Riverhead and their newest facility in New Hyde Park.
The Kenny Lechner led Fortin team will again rely on a Robert Yates power plant under the hood of the sleek #84 machine with Fortin’s businesses John’s Fuel Oil and John’s Tree Removal returning to the team as associate sponsors along with the Triangle Pub of Eastport. Veteran NASCAR Modified wrench Mike LaMura will join his mentor Lechner turning wrenches on the car. “All the pieces are in place all we need is some racing luck and we’ll be set for a successful and hopefully a fun season” John added.
When quizzed as to why 2018 would be his last weekly assault at a NASCAR Modified title at Riverhead John explained, “my wife Nicole & I run both our fuel oil and tree business. I started racing Figure Eights at Islip Speedway in 1981 and we pretty much have raced full time since. I’ll be 55 in August, it is time to enjoy some other things in life”.
Fortin’s racing resume at Riverhead indeed is an impressive one. He ranks 6th on the all time Figure Eight win list with 24 victories earned on his way to three championships in the class in 1985, 1989 & ’90. After scoring his first NASCAR Modified triumph on July 18th, 1992 John has added 30 wins with his most recent coming last season. His 31 win total ties him for 7th on the all time Modified win list with Tommy Washburn & Jack Reinhard.
Joining the NASCAR Modifieds on the Cinco de Mayo opening night of NASCAR Whelen All American Series racing at Riverhead Raceway are the Late Models, Eagle Auto Mall Modified Crates, Figure Eights, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks, INEX Legend Race Cars and LIVARS vintage race cars.
To view the comprehensive and complete 2018 schedule of events please visit www.riverheadraceway.com. The Riverhead Raceway phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
Bob Finan