2013 Season Preview Series
As the 2013 season approaches, many Riverhead Raceway regulars have their plans in place and are looking forward to a new start for this new year. During the weeks leading up to the first practice day on April 20, 2013, there will be a “Season Preview,” where we at LongIslandJam.com feature several drivers who reveal their plans for the upcoming season.
After running a successful season in 2011 as teammate to Justin Strumpf, Paul Dodorico ended up venturing out on his own; running only a partial season in 2012 in his blue No. 55 Legend car. Now in 2013, Dodorico will be teaming up once again with the Strumpf family. “They are in the process of building two new cars,” said Dodorico. With Dodorico driving the No. 55 and Strumpf driving the No. 15, both of them featuring brand new color schemes. According to Dodorico, handling the setup for both cars is Chris Busick, who has been working with the Strumpfs for several years and was the crew chief when he drove for them in 2011. “Chris works extremely hard on these cars which allow us to concentrate on driving,” said Dodorico. Sponsoring Dodorico and Strumpf this season will be Monster’s Recycling; Linex Bedliners of Long Island; Dr. Martha Baker, “The Racing Dentist;” and RPM Dyno Service. “I’m really looking forward to this season,” said Dodorico, “since Kevin Strumpf always fields very clean and well prepared competitive cars.”
Jeremy McDermott the 2012 Charger Champion of the No. 5 has decided to change focus from the Charger division to the No. 4 Late Model. “It’s tough running two divisions for us, so we want to focus on the late model this year.” With McDermott focused on the No. 4 Late Model, he remains unsure of his future in the Charger division. “I may run a few shows here and there, but not the full schedule,” said McDermott. Supporting McDermott in the 2013 season is his sponsor Unique Golf as well as his crew chief, Jarod Zeltmann and his crew which include his father, Allen Reeves; his fiancé, Jessica Schreiber; Kevin Pelis; and Kyle Bevis.
Derek Stachecki driver of the No. 33 Charger car will be taking a step back this season from competing in the Charger division and instead will be running a full season in the No. 17 Late Model. Supporting Stachecki will be his longtime sponsor Charlie Pennington of F&S Race Fuels and Hampton Yard Essentials. However he is hopeful that by the start of the season he will be able to acquire a few more sponsors. Lending Stachecki a hand in the pits this season will be his son, Jon and Scott Herman. Though those aren’t the only people Stachecki hopes will be helping him this coming season, “thankfully there are always people willing to help out in the pit area because that’s all I have on a regular basis,” said Stachecki. Besides the regular schedule at Riverhead Raceway, Stachecki and his crew are looking forward to traveling to races at other tracks as well. “We will be traveling to Wall Stadium for the two late model races they have added and of course the Turkey Derby,” said Stachecki. Stachecki is also looking forward to traveling to Mountain Speedway this fall for both King of the Mountain. Currently Stachecki is putting new bodies on both the No. 33 Charger and the No. 17 Late Model. “We want to make sure everything is nice and in order for the fast approaching season,” said Stachecki.
Rich Campo driver of the No. 38 Super Pro Truck, finished 11th in points in 2012; Campo said he feels the changes he’s made will bring his team some wins in 2013. “I’d really like to get a win this year,” said Campo. “I’m really hoping for a few top fives and a few wins. We’re hoping to have a much better season than last year.” Campo has made some changes to the chassis and setup for this year on his truck. But the one change he said that really needs to be made has to be done by the other drivers. “A few drivers need keep themselves in check this year,” said Campo, “but I don’t want to mention any names.” And while the economy still struggles to get going, Campo said he’s good to go on sponsorship. “Sponsorship has been fantastic for this year,” he said. “We are welcoming back NY Auto Giant this year. They were a tremendous help last year and we’re looking for another good year this season. I will proudly support their name again.”
Even though Scott Maliszewski, driver of the No. 22 Blunderbust, won a race in 2012 and finished in the top-10 in points he still says it was one his worst seasons ever. Maliszewski said he hopes to compete for the championship, but anything would be an improvement over last year. “Any little thing we change would be a plus because last season was our worst in 10 years,” said Maliszewski. Maliszewski indicated he needs some help on the sponsorship front in order to really be competitive. “Last year was a big disappointment because everything was out of my own pocket and I just can’t afford to do it again,” said Maliszewski.
Source: Danielle McCormack/Rob Blount/LongIslandJam.com