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July 15, Long Beach, NY--- Several weeks ago, we used the above as a quote from Casey Stengel. Unfortunately this past Saturday night, both the Late Model and Modified divisions proved the point.
Let’s start with the Late Models. You would have thought that with only 13 cars starting the race, it would have been about as exciting as watching a freight train go by--- and would look like one. Maybe you’d hope that the race would run quick, perhaps green to checker. That would have been better than what actually happened.
We were surprised that pole-sitter Shawn Patrick and 3rd place starter Kevin Metzger even waited for the initial green before they started what appeared to be trying to wreck each other. Both have shown over the years that they can be much better drivers when they want to. The problem was, neither of them wanted to on this night, and outside pole-sitter Doug Wholey got caught up in their shenanigans.
For the first two laps, Patrick and Metzger were swapping the lead several times, as well as banging the heck of out each other. Off the top of our head, we can’t remember one clean pass that either made, without making some type of contact. In the process, Wholey got spun to the infield. The garbage finally stopped when Metzger spun in turn four, bringing out the first of a ton of cautions.
When the restart came, it was Patrick, who had survived the contact still on the pole, while Wholey and Metzger brought up the rear of the field. By the way, how does that old quote go--- Oh yeah. Before you can finish first, you must first finish. Yup, that’s it. We remember that one, even though we haven’t been behind the wheel of a race car in years! What’s the excuse for some of the guys that drive now?
Anyway, on the first lap 2 restart, it was Scott Kulesa in fourth not able to get up to speed, when everyone else did. As the cars behind Kulesa tried to steer clear, those at the very back of the field that couldn’t see through the cars in front finally did get caught up in it. Those two cars were, of course, Metzger and Wholey. The right side of Wholey’s car was somewhat caved in--- not what you want on Ideal Cesspool Night.
It took about five restarts to get past the lap three. The call was finally made from the ramp to go to single-file restarts. The restart lineup was Patrick, Roger Oxee, Rob Tribuzio, Ken Matlach, and Greg Kleila.
Patrick held the lead at the green for three laps, before Oxee was able to get under him for the lead on lap 6. Lap 8 saw the next caution as Patrick and Mike Mortimer got together on the frontstretch; with Mortimer spinning in turn one.
The restart order was Oxee, Tribuzio, Matlach, Kleila, and Dan Turbush. It stayed that way for several laps, until Turbush got under Kleila for 4th on lap 13. On the 16th circuit, Jack Orlando took over the 5th spot from Kleila. Lap 23 saw both Matlach and Turbush go low under Tribuzio for 2nd and 3rd. The final top five was Oxee, Matlach, Turbush, Tribuzio, and Orlando.
For Oxee, it was his 55th career win, and his first of the season, being long overdue. What was the reason for the big turnaround?
“Tommy Rogers Jr. volunteered to help me,” R.J. stated emphatically in Victory Lane. “The car had been running like a ‘bag’ at the beginning of the season.”
We won’t mention who won the heat races anymore in this division because, well, it’s simply irrelevant. When you have two heats for a total 13 car starting field, they’re all being handicapped in. Like most NASCAR-sanctioned tracks, Riverhead Raceway doesn’t pay points for the heats, so why bother?
LATE MODEL SPONSOR NOTES--- Doug Wholey picked up Hoffman Equipment Company… ‘Dynamite’ Dan Turbush now has Another Pest Control Corp…
In between the Late Model and Modified races were the Spectator Drags and a Roll-Over Contest. The Spectator Drags were everything one could hope for, culminating with a terrific two-lap finale between Don Carasiti and Mike Schlaugies. Both were side by side the first lap before Schlaugies took the advantage on lap two going through turns one and two, going on to the win.
Before we continue, we must applaud and send kudos to Promoters Barbara & Jim Cromarty. They made the decision the week before to make the One-On-One Spectator Drags a permanent fixture on Saturday nights for the rest of the 2007 season. Fans responded by bringing out 19 vehicles to the race.
The Roll-Over Contest, however, was somewhat on the tortuous side. Going in, you know that it’s going to take some time to run, and then more time to clean the track before the premier Modified division runs their feature.
The only question we have is why waste even more time on what is a busy night? What we mean is that with the extra time already being taken there was more time wasted by doing ‘driver interviews’--- really piercing questions such as, “Are you nervous?”.
What was worse was that the assistant must not have realized his mic was ‘live’ when he asked one of the drivers what his name was before the official ‘interview’. Heard over the PA system, that by itself left many people in the backstretch stands first stunned, then laughing hysterically. When somebody new to the track (or at least to the area where we were sitting on the backstretch) asked us if that was normal, we were somewhat taken at a loss as to how to answer her.
We must explain that we normally attempt to write our columns from the fans perspective. We don’t make a habit of writing too much of what goes on behind the scenes in the pit area during the races, unless it impacts on what the fans may or may not see from the stands. However, when it comes over the PA system, and we get questioned by a regular first-time fan that doesn’t have any idea that we write a column, that answers the question about this ‘gray’ area.
Anyway, after that little bit of silliness came a lot of silliness. That was one that was referred to as the “Modified Feature’. 19 cars started the feature, although several cars went home after practice. One car that stayed for the race was the #0 of Danny Sammons out of New Jersey. We understand that he’ll be one of the cars that will be at Riverhead Raceway for this week’s Tom Baldwin-Richie Evans-Charlie Jarzombek Memorial 77, presented by Axel Anderson Inc.
At the green, Gary McDonald took the lead from the pole, followed by Wayne Anderson, J.R. Bertuccio, Chris Beutler, and Dave Sapienza. Sap was using the car he bought from Mike Andrews Jr., as Sap’s car was destroyed the week before.
The first yellow came out on lap 2, as Dan Jivanelli and Ken Darch got together on the front stretch. After a stop in the pits, Jivanelli was able to continue, although he had electrical problems that plagued him the remainder of the race.
That brought the first of a variety of terrible restarts. On the green, it was McDonald, Bertuccio, Chris Young, and Wayne Anderson. This green flag period lasted all of two laps, when Sean McDonald (Gary’s son) spun, hitting the backstretch wall. Sapienza spun to avoid him, as many other cars had to scramble, and went to the pits with a flat.
The next terrible restart had Bertuccio taking the lead, with Beutler and Gary McDonald behind. Chris Young got caught up in all the bumping and banging, and went to the infield. While that was going on, John Fortin spun and tapped the wall in turn four. Needless to say, the yellow which had just been pulled in was pushed right back out. With no laps completed since the previous caution, Bertuccio went back to 2nd behind McDonald.
Terrible restart #3--- J.R. Bertuccio clearly jumped the restart by a wide margin, and took the lead in front of Beutler. But guess what? Wayne Anderson spun in four, while Tommy Rogers Jr. slowed in the backstretch. Wayne spun out of the way, and got his position back, as officials deemed the caution was for Rogers.
Terrible res--- oh, the heck with it. You’ve got the idea. The next green lasted only one circuit to lap six, as Sal Accardi Jr.’s car climbed over Gary McDonald’s, while Chuck Steuer also got caught up. By the way, it’s only six laps into the race, and there were six of the 19 original starters retired in the pits.
We were informed by one official that starter Mike ‘Smokey’ Boken was called over the radio to throw an immediate yellow after one of the bad restarts. Boken was reportedly partially incapacitated by a piece of bumper (possibly the end cap) that came up into the starters stand and rapped him on the side of the head. We were told that for a few minutes, Smokey didn’t know what was going on, although he continued, and hope he’s feeling better.
Finally, there was an extended green flag period. When the field shook itself out after the single-file restart (finally!), it was Bertuccio, Beutler, Park, Accardi, Dave Brigati, Sammons, and Anderson. On lap 7, Rogers got underneath Sapienza for 9th. Lap 21 had Brigati under Accardi for 4th. Rogers got past Jivanelli on lap 25 for 9th and Rogers got under Anderson and Sammons on lap 31 for 6th.
The top five were Bertuccio, Beutler, Park, Brigati, and Accardi. Several cars had great runs, one being Chris Beutler who took the runner up spot after starting 6th. Heat winners were Wayne Anderson, Dave Sapienza, and J.R. Bertuccio.
MOD NOTES--- Some of the cars that showed up for practice included Kevin Goodale, although he didn’t attempt to qualify during heats… Danny Sammons, who only had two laps at Riverhead in a failed time-trial effort to make a Tour field last year, started 14th, finishing 9th, although he was up to 6th at one point… Tony Anello finished 12th in the Atlas & Sons Asphalt #24. Tony told us that he may finish the season at Riverhead before traveling to New England for post-season races… One car that didn’t make the field was the #66 of Dennis Krupsky, who we understand may have blown a motor during warm-ups… The hard luck of Marissa Neiderauer continued, as she got loose, and slammed the frontstretch wall during the first heat. She never returned… We have to admit that we were as impressed by the Modified race as we were by the Late Model race. Usually, we enjoy the overwhelming majority of the racing that the regular weekly divisions put on. This however, was not one of their shining moments.
QUICK ASIDE--- Before the inevitable comments, let us be the first to agree that so far, this week’s column is somewhat harsh. Then again, so was the racing that we had reported on, with the exception of the One-On-One Spectator Drags.
NOW, FOR THE MORE PLEASANT SIDE--- The Super Pro Truck feature got off to a slow start as Frank Dumicich pulled to the infield at the start. Also, the first caution came out before one lap was complete, as Danny Grennan spun in turn 4 after contact with Lou Maestri.
When the field shook itself out after the race went green, it was Mike Albasini taking the lead from the 5th starting spot, followed by Dave Koenig, Gil Smith, Lou Maestri, and Frank Dumicich Jr.
On lap 4, Maestri got around the outside of Smith for 3rd. Lap 11 saw Grennan work his way up toward the front, passing Dumicich for 5th. By lap 15, it was Albasini, Koenig, Maestri, Smith, and Grennan.
Lap 16 saw Grennan utilize a lapped car to get under Smith for 4th. A yellow came out on lap 16, as a couple of trucks went spinning on the front stretch.
At the checker of the 20-lap event, it was Albasini taking his 2nd win of ’07, followed by Dave Koenig, Lou Maestri, Danny Grennan, and Gil Smith. After the trucks took the checker, Grennan took the opportunity to dump Maestri into the turn one wall. Hmmm. Still, for all that, it was still a pretty good race.
THE BLUNDERBUST FEATURE may have been the best race of the evening (except for the Spectator Drag finale). Tommy Walkowiak took his 6th win of the season, extending his record as the all time Blunderbust race winner. After he crossed the finish line, you could start to hear a few ‘boos’ from the crowd. Although we can’t be certain, that may be just what happens when you have one driver winning so many races in one season. Still, those same people may not realize that Walkowiak is NOT the point leader. That honor goes to Scott Maliszewski, who has one win on the season. We remember back at Freeport Speedway, when one driver starting winning everything in sight one year, with the possible exception of the Lotto--- and that’s only because there was no Lotto back then. Still, people started booing his red #14 whenever he took his checker that year.
While the cars were lining up to start the race, the wrecker had to push Doug Watson to the pits. When the green flew, it didn’t last long. Ed Mistretta got dumped in turn one by Paul Parisi, bringing out an immediate caution.
Mistretta, with his car facing rearward made no attempt to turn his car around. Instead Mistretta (the ‘Dumpee”) drove very slowly the wrong way, coming up to Paul Parisi (the ‘Dumper’). Knowing the temperament of the very likable one known as ‘Krazy’ Eddie, we waited for the inevitable fireworks.
The biggest surprise of the night to us was when those fireworks didn’t go off, although it seemed as if all of the fans and officials were waiting, holding our collective breath.
Instead, Mistretta pulled up next to Parisi, drivers’ door to drivers’ door, while they exchanged some pleasantries. Mistretta then drove to the exit gate to get his flat tire changed. We admit that we were shaking out head in wonder, not believing that non-Fourth of July fireworks were avoided.
When the race restarted, it was Caesar Cunaccia at the point, followed by Scott Sepe, Bill Wegmann, Paul Parisi, and Ray Shannon. On lap two, there were cars skating in all directions through turns three and four. When they were about all finished spinning, Parisi lost it by the starters stand, getting sideways. He was then tagged extremely hard by Tom Alt (subbing for the absent Tom Stock) in the passengers’ door. Fortunately, both drivers were alright.
At the green, it was Scott Sepe at the point, followed by Cunaccia, Matt Greenan, Michael Rommeney, and Wegmann. Greenan and Cunaccia hooked bumpers on lap 6, slowing them briefly, while Tommy Walkowiak was steadily moving up to the top five from his 15th starting spot.
It was now at lap 6 Sepe, Walkowiak, Rommeney, Cunaccia, and Greenan. On lap 10, Walkowiak slipped under Sepe to permanently take the lead. At the checker, the top five were Walkowiak, Maliszewski, Sepe, Rommeney, and Joe Pignatore.
Heat winners were Matt Greenan, Caesar Cunaccia, and ‘Krazy’ Ed Mistretta.
BLUNDERBUST NOTES--- During afternoon practice, we were sitting on the back of Tom Sullivan’s trailer under a popup, enjoying the shade and a nice breeze waiting for Sully to get back off the track from his session. And then he showed up on the back of the wrecker; the motor leaking oil and water. On close inspection, both fluids were leaking from under the oil pan. We were curious--- isn’t a push rod supposed to be inside the motor as opposed to hanging from the underside of the oil pan? Sully unsuccessfully used the #43 of Bill Portney Sr. to run the heat. Sully sat out the feature, dropping him down in points… There was an interesting letter that was to be circulated among Blunderbust drivers, regarding experienced drivers staying in the division, instead of moving up if their finances permit. The letter went on to mention one experienced driver who threatened a newer driver that he’d be stuffed in the wall if he got in the way. We made our way up to the grandstands for the features well before the letter was to be handed out--- fortunately…
THE MEMORIAL--- With the running of the annual Tom Baldwin-Richie Evans-Charlie Jarzombek Memorial 77, presented by Axel Anderson Inc. this coming Saturday, we took the opportunity to talk to a couple of drivers that have competed against all three.
This past Friday, we had a great phone conversation with George Brunnhoelzl Jr. in North Carolina, who had a few thoughts to share on the three. When asked about ‘The Rapid Roman’, he didn’t hesitate.
“Richie Evans is the guy I admired the most,” stated George. “He was one of the first guys to help when I was driving at Freeport. I was having some problems--- just couldn’t get it right. I walked over to Richie and started to introduce myself. He said, ‘I know who you are kid’.
“Well, I explained the problems with my car. He asked, ‘what do you think you should do?’ I told him I tried this and that. He said, ‘That’s all good. But you might want to try this and this.’
“When I was walking away, he said, ‘Georgie, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. But the day you start running as good as me, that’s when it stops. I do this for a living.’
“You can’t admire a guy more than that,” George concluded about Evans. Then we started talking about CJ.
“He’d help me with tires and advice,” George explained. “Then when I started running well, we started banging wheels. It continued at Stafford when we’d run together on Friday nights.”
He went on to explain that their relationship seemed to fall apart after that, not having the closer relationship they’d had earlier.
“Unfortunately, it’s a fact of racing when you both become competitive,” he concluded.
When we started to talk about ‘Tiger’ Tom Baldwin, another phone rang, and George had to get back to work. Although he didn’t have a chance to relay any further stories, it was still a terrific half hour or so we spent on the phone, catching up and talking about his son George III, and his racing progress. But, that is a subject for another column at another time.
At the track this past Saturday, we had a chance to sit down with another contemporary of the three, Dan Jivanelli. Since the amount of time he had to talk was limited before Dan went out for practice, the stories had to be told a little bit more quickly.
“The best,” Dan exclaimed about Richie. “There’s never been anybody like him. He was very smooth--- never out of control in his car or his mind that I could see. He was always willing to help if you asked; very professional.”
“Charlie was a hard charger whether he’s running 1st of 15th. It didn’t matter; he never gave up.”
When we got around to Tom Baldwin, Dan seemed to get a little bit reticent.
“You always knew where you stood with him. Most people didn’t realize that he had a heart of gold,” Danny said. “One time at Oswego, my motor just stopped running. Tom came over, and spent the rest of the practice session looking for the problem, which he did.”
Then he told us a story he said was absolutely, positively, off the record. However, when we asked him to reconsider about putting it in the column, he reluctantly agreed.
“Well, he cared about people. When I lost my mom 20 years ago, it was the week of Pocono (Cam 2 Race of Champions). I buried her one day, and was at Pocono the next.
“The first person I saw was Baldwin. He walked up to me, and with a tear in his eye, he just put his arms around me,” Danny concluded. Even though the story was private, we appreciate Danny allowing us to use it to give a little bit of the bigger picture about ‘Tiger’ Tom Baldwin, that many never got a chance to see.
There are other stories that we know about Baldwin; however, we hadn’t ever taken the time to check them out. Personally, we believe them, and want to get the OK to use them from the people that it may affect before we write about it before next year’s race.
Three final notes about this week’s upcoming Memorial.
Steve Halpin is working toward putting together a new shirt this week to be sold at Riverhead Raceway, and done by Gene Ullman at ASI. The concept of the shirt as explained to us was terrific, and we hope that it can all be worked out, and the shirts done this week. Look for them at the souvenir stand in turn three. Hey Steve, perhaps some nice thin strapped tank tops with the same format you put on the men’s tee-shirts for the ladies?
Also, Wayne Anderson stepped forward to sponsor the race on behalf of Axel Anderson Inc. For that, we thank him as everyone should. This Saturday when the race is to be run, it would have been Axel’s 85th birthday.
We’re not certain, but wouldn’t it be great if an old Richie Evans car could be located and brought to the track this week to pace the field? We doubt that it would happen. Still, don’t be surprised to see some of CJ’s cars and possibly one of the ‘Tiger’s cars up from New Jersey pacing the field this week.
*****
Those are out thoughts this time. What’s yours? Questions, comments, and complaints will reach us at liracenews@hotmail.com. Until next time, Happy Motoring!
Mike Fields has written for the Area Auto Racing News, Raceway Media Magazine, as well as being a contributing author for the book Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul. He has also been a co-host of a weekly motorsports radio program, and a track announcer. Fields currently writes a weekly internet column, and is an occasional contributing columnist for the Riverhead Racer, the track program for Long Island's Riverhead Raceway.
While not at his full-time job (babysitting his very rambunctious 4-year old grandson), he is the owner of The Hero Card Store!, providing specialty autograph cards to racecar drivers and teams. He may be contacted by e-mail at info@LongIslandMotorsports.com, or by phone at (516) 376-4028.
Modified graphic by Tom Coufalik of www.pcracers.net.
Disclaimer: Views expressed by columnists and all others on this website are strictly their own, and may not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the management of Long Island Motorsports News.
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