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Riverhead, NY Aug. 13th
By Bob Finan
It was a busy Monday concerning news for the upcoming Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 Saturday at Riverhead Raceway. The annual event, honoring three of the most successful and iconic figures of NASCAR Tour Type Modified racing shares the spotlight with the annual Cromarty Wall of Champion induction ceremonies plus five divisions of Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series competition.
Earlier last week, Tommy Baldwin Racing announced Luke Baldwin of Mooresville, NC would make his first ever Tour Type Modified start in the race that honors his grandfather “Tiger” Tom Baldwin. While making the disclosure, Tommy Baldwin Racing unveiled a paint scheme honoring “Charging” Charlie Jarzombek on the 7NY for the 77. Luke, 18 earlier in the spring turned the Tour Type Modified world on its head when he won the King of the Modified event at South Boston Speedway. On Monday afternoon Tommy Baldwin Racing announced that Luke’s older brother Jack, 21, would be in the field for the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 in a car out of the Gershow Recycling shops of Joe Bertuccio.
While Tommy Baldwin Racing strives for on track success with Jack & Luke Saturday, the team announced a special cause that goes beyond racing. TBR will race for Support Noelle, raising funds and awareness for this brave young girl. Noelle is a 6-year-old girl stricken with Stage 4 Osteosarcona. TBR has designed and made available a commemorative shirt for the Baldwin Evans & Jarzombek 77 available to purchase at https//shorturl.at/8nhV8. The team also announced body panels from the 7NY will be up for auction starting Thursday August 15th at 7:00 pm though 12 noon Saturday August 17th. All proceeds go to Support Noelle.
Just moments after that news broke, Long Island based car owner Craig Doherty disclosed that successful NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Race of Champions talent Chuck Hossfeld of Lockport, NY would strap into the Shadow Racing entry. Hossfeld is a three-time winner of the Race of Champions, with all of those triumphs when the ROC was staged at Oswego Speedway, with the Ransomville NY native capturing seven NASCAR WMT victories during his career.
The Riverhead Raceway regulars are readying to take on the invaders led by defending champion John Beatty Jr of Merrick. Chris Young of Calverton, Jack Handley Jr of Medford, Justin Brown of Manorville and Mark Stewart are among the top five in the 2024 championship tussle, while Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills, Dave Brigati of Calverton, JB Fortin of Holtsville, Chris Rogers of Patchogue and CJ Lehmann of Lake Grove make up the remainder of the top ten, all of whom are a threat for the win in the 77, as is Owen Grennan if Glen Cove just outside the top 10.
Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead who in late July broke a tie with he and Charlie Jarzombek for all-time wins at the track will be a contender in the 77 as will Timmy Solomito of Islip. Two drivers enduring nothing but bad luck to date in 2024 are hoping to right the ship with a win are JR Bertuccio of Centereach and Michael Rutkoski of Mattituck. As of press time defending Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek race winner Kyle Ellwood of Riverhead did not plan on being in the field.
Joining the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 are the Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds, Super Pro Trucks, INEX Legend Race Cars, Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars and a Truck Enduro.
Opening ceremonies are set for 6:30pm followed by the Class of 2024 inductions onto the Cromarty Wall of Champions. Ray Bouchard, a two-time NASCAR Mechanic of the Year with 191 wins and 15 track titles for Turbush Racing, “Big” Bob O’Rourke, the most recognized racing personality from Long Island, if not the Northeast, and retired announcer Bob Finan will be enshrined onto the wall. Both Bouchard and Finan will proudly be on hand with their families, while Bob O’Rourke is represented by sons Jimmy & Shep.
Our remaining 2024 schedule of events can be viewed at http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com and the phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
