Opening weekend is now history and before we speak of some of the highlights we need to bring you up to speed on some important items.

For the first time in perhaps four or even five decades our beloved Riverhead Raceway opened Saturday night minus one popular figure, “Dynamite” Dan Turbush. On Friday Danny had a kidney removed at Stony Brook University Hospital and yes folks he did “talk” the doctors through the operation, just like he has talked every Riverhead announcer before and with me through victory lane. The good news is Dan should be on the road to a full recovery, the bad news is we might just have to see him in street clothes this year. But that’s okay, he will be with us telling each and every one of us what we did right or perhaps what we did wrong and that is a good thing. From Barbara and Jim Cromarty and yes even from NASCAR R&D guru Jerry Cook and all of us at your home away from home, get well soon Danny!!!

Former multi-time Figure Eight champion “Downtown” George Brown is in our thoughts and prayers as we write this as his very lovely wife Sally passed away over the weekend suddenly. Behind the tough and rough exterior lies a gentle giant in George Brown and we know that he has suffered a great loss and we want to express our deepest condolences to one of the greatest showmen in this game.

Attention all 4/6-Cylinder Truck Enduro teams you indeed have a Saturday night race on Saturday May 31^st. We understand some very early drafts of the 2008 Riverhead schedule might not show the race, but it’s on for Saturday May 31^st. call the office for entries!!!

Onto opening weekend 2008 and mother nature threw us a huge curveball Saturday, but my hat is off to Barbara and Jim Cromarty for staying the course. Many promoters could have and in fact some did, throw in the towel early in the day. The forecast was horrible; there was a race on TV and so on and so forth. However the Cromarty’s pressed forward.

Bill Park #20 was declared the winner of the 35-lap NASCAR Modified feature in his Smithtown Nissan Chevy. Bill had actually crossed the line second, but the initial race winner Chuck Steuer #11x came-up light at the scales. When I spoke to Bill after the show, just hours before his 61^st birthday he confirmed for me this is not the way he wanted to take home his 27^th career win. What shocked me was what Bill’s lovely wife Barbara told me seconds later; this was his first opening night win of his career.

Howie Brode #96 decided to just ride around and let “things” develop in his Long Island Freightliner Chevy and that panned out to be a great game plan as the owner of Beavers Towing scored a runner-up finish after starting the race in 13^th.

After breaking an engine just as his heat race concluded Dave Brigati #98x drove his heart out coming from 17^th to collect third place money in the Full Throttle Hot Rod Magazine entry. As I spoke to Dave, fourth place finisher Dan Jivanelli #44 was teasing Dave that he owed him one, as Dave was “big loose” and Dan treated him right. Dave nodded in agreement.

Ed Brunnhoelzl Jr. was forced out of retirement, well okay forced might be a bit strong, but son Eddie III was working during the day so “pops” took the car out in practice and the heat race. So lo and behold when Eddie III shows up in time for the feature Ed Jr. was reported to ask, “son, could I borrow the car?” Well dad did and drove the Long Island Ice & Fuel Chevy home to a 9^th place tally.

Spoke to Wayne Anderson #15 Monday morning and asked the former five-time Riverhead Raceway champ how he was feeling after his tough trip into the wall and he told me “I’m fine” Now folks this is not my first rodeo, I wouldn’t expect this tough as nails man to tell me different. Wayne did tell me the damage to the Eastport Feeds entry appears to be all bolt-on equipment.

Great job by the Double Diamond Realty #23 team to get Justin Bonsignore back on track in quick fashion, unfortunately Justin had to drop right back to the infield but the team told me they just needed another 30 seconds to a minute and they would have been fine.

As I was watching Roger Oxee #39 drive to his 56^th career Late Model victory I just had the feeling that ever since his old car was trashed in a grinding late season wreck, that “RJ” has been pumping himself up for this moment in his all-new car. Well indeed Roger drove the Suffolk Water Connection Pontiac to the opening night victory, but as I saw Kevin Metzger #23 close in late in the race I had another thought. That was Roger is going to not be satisfied with how he won this race, well as he was leaving he told me the car was awful and they had a ton of work to do. Folks that’s just RJ, he is a perfectionist and that focus is what drove him to be the all-time leading LM winner.

Kevin Metzger #23 had to settle for runner-up money on the night. The driver of the County Tires entry gave Roger all he could handle and I feel as though good things are on the horizon for Metzger and his hard working team in ’08.

Scott Kulesa #10 was third in the final rundown in the Ranco Sand & Stone Pontiac. Scott is a first class individual who realizes what his car can give him on any given night where most others try and force more than their machines can produce. Nice job Scott.

Tom Rogers Jr. #4 made his debut in the Unique Golf racer and “Mr. Versatile” wound-up fourth.

Doug Wholey #98 will sub for “Dynamite” Dan Turbush and he placed 5^th in the Dart Fuel Oil Dodge.

By the way, Ken Matlach is looking for a ride in 2008 in a Late Model, Charger or Super Pro Truck. 

Nice to have Mike Coll back in the #61, Mike crossed the line 6^th. Mike is seeking sponsors to race as often as he can with us at Riverhead.

“Buzzy” Eriksen did not make the starting grid in the Aces Landscaping mount due to mechanical issues.

Jarrod Hayes #08 had to shelve his Young Guns Racing machine due to a potential dropped valve.

What better way to greet a new sponsor to your team than with a feature event win and on opening night no less? That is just what Ken Hyde did for new backer Long Island Deutz as Kenny took the checker flag at the conclusion of the 20-lap contest. Hyde led from green to checker and held off the likes of Tom Graff, Roger Maynor and Tom Kraft to seal the deal. Way to go Mr. Flintstone!!!

“TK” Tommy Kraft #8, who never knows if he’s racing until 24-hours before the opening night card produced a solid runner-up finish.

Nice recovery by Roger Maynor #28 after a tangle at the halfway signal to race his way back to a third place tally in the Barrasso & Sons Mason Supplies racer.

Nice gesture by 2007 SAFER Rookie of the Year John Delavergne #69 to loan his car to Tom Ferrara for the night. Tom’s own #0x had oil pressure woes and he then proceeded to drive the Delavergne Towing entry to a 7^th place finish.

Ralph Tasso #3 made his return to the sport with an 8^th place effort, Ralph told me afterwards how much work was necessary to get the former Bob Lohr #57 back into shape.

A persistent trail of smoke from Scott Pedersen’s #27 prevented the former BB standout from taking the green after “hot laps”.

In his short but yet successful career Chris “The Cranberry Kid” Turbush goes out to win each and every race he participates in, but none more than this past Saturday night. Yes Chris went out and won the 20-lap Charger main event, but this one was for whom he describes as “my rock”. Indeed he was referring to his father and mentor “Dynamite” Dan Turbush. Needless to say this was perhaps the most important triumph in the career of the driver of the Spano Floors Pontiac. Enough said.

Chris McGuire #89x was seeking for his second consecutive opening night victory, but the driver of the Gutter Tunnel Ford had to be content with second place money on the evening. You know though, I don’t think “Furdog” was all that upset about that, given the fact he is friendly with the entire Turbush family.

No rust on 2006 Charger kingpin Steve Ratti #37 as the leader of the “Rat Pack” placed third in the JMB Construction car owned by James Becht.

On three-week-old tires Frank Scimeca Jr. #96 drove his P&M Doors machine to a fine fourth place finish.

“The Natural” Timmy Solomito #66 came home 7^th in the Riverhead Building Supply Pontiac, oh by the way, Timmy, blame Frankie Kull for the nickname!!! Solomito did have to recover from an early race tango to claim the fine finish.

In an old car Tommy “The Wildchild” Walkowiak #00 was on fire, so after a grinding crash in mid-season 2007 Ron Langdon rebuilds his car to an almost brand new car, what did you think was going to happen?  You guessed it Walkowiak won the opening night feature in the Unique Golf Chevy, but it wasn’t as easy as you might imagine. Ed Mistretta #32 kept pace with Tommy for quite sometime and if anyone is as “wild’ as Walkowiak, well there’s your guy. However Walkowiak would prevail in the end and in fact built a late race cushion in the waning laps.

“Krazy” Ed Mistretta would cross the stripe second in the Andy & Terry’s Automotive car, which according to the sign on the side is still “for sale” Ed really wants to go Figure Eight racing this year, if not next.

Chris Busick #61 did not let an early race spin in the first and second corner ruin his evening, no in fact like the true professional he is he put his head down, dug down deep and rallied for a stellar third place finish. Chris has moved to McBetts Racing Engines for 2008 and feels as though once he gets used to the switch all will be great.

As of Friday evening Scott Maliszewski had to sheet metal on his #22 Blunderbust and his hopes of making opening night were fading fast. Well he made it to the track after practice and with no qualifying races took to the track for the 20-lap main event without virtually any track time in 2008. The end result was a solid 4^th place tally.

Artie Pedersen Jr. sold his potent #1 to Enduro veteran Tim Mulqueen as we were playing the Star Spangled Banner, Tim drove the car in the main event and wound-up 14^th in the final rundown.

Without a doubt the drama of the night, the drive of the night and yes the heartbreak of the night came in the Super Pro Truck feature. Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls this race belonged to Erin Dumicich #95.  She had ‘em all covered, including her father Frank Dumicich #5, Wayne Meyer #41 and former two-time champion Lou Maestri #1, she had them all beat. But after taking the white flag in the middle of the first and second corner the Edible Arrangements SPT snapped around in a quick spin. Now the bad news is Erin did not win that race, which would have carried a lot of emotional and historic attachment. But I choose to see the glass being half, if not three quarters full. The positives are, she showed the talent to win a race and even when that was swept from her, she kept her cool and collected and corrected her SPT for a 9^th place tally.  Erin hold your head-up high, you showed you belong and your day is coming!!!

Lou Maestri #1 would pass under the checker flag first in the 5 Star Kennels SPT, it was perhaps the one race Lou wished he never won. While I was interviewing this first class gentleman I got the feeling like many of us, Lou was disappointed that Erin didn’t take the win. You see Louie is still a race fan. Oh by the way Lou, I saw Danny Grennan at the Enduro show Sunday and he still swears we won’t see him this year.

Wayne Meyer #41 took down a second place finish with two new sponsors on his SPT, Triple AAA Firewood & Mulch, as well BKG Masonry.

“The King of Queens” Mike Albasini #88 drove the New York Metro Peterbilt entry to a solid third place effort. Mike could you make the numbers on your truck just a little bigger, LOL.

What a difference a year off makes, Shaun Gouldsbury #30 after skipping the 2007 campaign returned with a fine 4^th place finish in the Eddy’s RV Sales & Service Dodge.

Roger Turbush #88 in his first official SPT ride grabbed a fifth in the Rheem Air Conditioning truck.

Nice finish for the Rotzi family trucks with Keith #22 7^th and father Peter #3 8^th in the Wimpy’s Collision machines.

Rich Giordano #7 had to scratch after the first practice with an engine gone bad on the G-Force Collision Dodge.

Silas Hiscock Jr. #37 became the first Legend Race Car winner when the class returned after many years away from Riverhead for a Sunday matinee. Hiscock led early then surrendered the lead to Mike Malone #47, but Malone would later lose an engine and Hiscock took back the lead and never looked back in the Bridgehampton Tank Legend. After the class was dropped at Riverhead back when, the Hiscock family did travel to New England quite a bit, but for the last three years Silas Jr. told me the cars have been sitting in the shop.

Nice debut for Kevin Nowak #53 with a runner-up in the 25-lap main event Sunday in his NAPA Auto Parts Legend. Kevin is up from the 4/6-Cylinder Trucks where he’ll also continue to race.

Tom Enders #76 will commute to Riverhead from North Carolina for the Legend races in 2008 and the trip paid off this week when he grabbed third place money in the Albert Kemperle Auto Body Supplies entry.

Thank you to Peter Clark from Howie Brode’s #96, as well Bryan Johnson’s #92 Legend for supplying the top three with trophies Sunday.

John Beatty #88 in his first ever race was a fine 4^th in the D&D Auto racer.

Malcolm Campbell Jr. #15 up from Toms River for 5^th in the main event after some early race tangles. Malcom is backed by Brices Auto Supply and former chief steward Bill Brice III and Janice were on hand for the weekend, great to see them.

New England invader Michael Gervais #31 was in the hunt for the win before being forced to the pits in the Newton Exxon machine. Gervais a Waterford Speedbowl Legend champ wound-up 16^th.

Twenty-three Legend Race Cars on hand for Sunday’s show, the feature was a long caution filled affair and track officials will address that this week.

Ray Fitzgerald #16 didn’t miss a beat after the off-season as he won the 50-lap Grand Enduro after taking the lead on lap 18 from early pacesetter Greg Zaleski. Ray reported in victory lane that Oakfield Leasing has increased their marketing program with him for 2008, good news for Ray but the rest of the field?

Greg Zaleski #12 with his all-new color scheme on the Gallo’s Used Auto Parts entry had to settle for second on this afternoon.

The returning Robin Vollmoeller crossed the line third in the Flanders Automotive Camaro.

Third generation driver Kyle Curtis #0 made his first official laps of competition, he’s the son of former Blunderbust champion Frank Curtis and grandson of Frank “Mississippi” Curtis.

Sister Jamie Meyer, wife of SPT driver Wayne was also in the contest and was in the top six in the BKG Masonry machine doing a great job all race.

Walter Stroud #49, the king of the 8-Cylinder Enduro events made his Grand debut, but a persistent smoking issue dropped him out of the race early.

Great day for Anthony Pizzo, as he won both 8-Cylinder Enduro races on the day in a 75-lap and then a 50-lap contest in his Westhampton Auto Body mount.

On the heels of his opening night Blunderbust win, Tommy “The Wildchild” Walkowiak #9 drove the Hampton Fleet Service truck of Jimmy White to victory in a 50-lap tilt. Tommy really wanted to go Legend racing in 2008 but just couldn’t go out and get a car, but he would take a ride if anyone is interested in the all-time leading BB winner.

Defending 6-Cylinder champion Shawn Wanat took that main event on the day in the Spits Speed Shop machine, as always Shawn was “drifting” his car through the corners.

Mike Mujsce Jr. chased his good friend for nearly the entire race after leading himself, but had to be happy with second.

He won on the very first Enduro day ever held at Riverhead Raceway, May 24^th 1986. Oh, by the way that was also the last time Peter Verwys Jr. won here, but that all changed when he triumphed in the 60-lap 4-Cylinder race in his Novack Auto parts import.

Nick “The Taz” Herzberg won the Car Rollover Contest, he actually debated with the early morning weather as to whether or not he’d even tow to the track. Well needless to say he’s sure glad he did. Nick credits Michael “Cheesebox” Rommeney for not only providing him with cars to roll, but set-up tips as well.

Pete Sherman Jr. has been trying to win a Spectator Drag event for many a season now; well he finally hit pay dirt Sunday in his 1985 Mustang beating out a 13-car field.