Annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek Memorial Race Set to Take Green June 6th at Riverhead

They were without doubt three of the more successful and recognizable personalities to strap into a NASCAR Modified and Saturday June 6th on Whelen Event night Riverhead Raceway will present the annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek Memorial 50. Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead is the defending race winner of this prestigious race and hopes to repeat in the 2015 event.

“Charging” Charlie Jarzombek who resided just north of Riverhead Raceway in Baiting Hollow was not only a five time track champion at the historic quarter mile oval but remains the all time leading Modified winner at the track with 63 victories. Rogers is the closest active driver with 34 wins which ranks him 3rd and the all time win list behind Jim Malone Sr. with 50. Known for driving from deep in the feature event to victory more often than not on Long Island’s bullrings the moniker “Charging” Charlie was born.

NASCAR Hall of Fame member Richie Evans of Rome, NY was a frequent visitor to Long Island chasing his nine NASCAR National Modified championships with Islip Speedway his most successful track as he posted 17 career wins on the tight 1/5th of a mile. “The Rapid Roman” had two Freeport Stadium wins as well 1 victory at Riverhead Raceway in 1985 just two months before he lost his life at Martinsville, Va. Speedway. Richie was a polarizing and popular driver with not just the fans on Long Island but wherever he raced.

“Tiger” Tom Baldwin of Bellport might not have had the race wins or titles that Jarzombek and Evans piled up but he was one of the most popular drivers with both his fellow competitors as well race fans wherever he raced his famed 7NY. After Jarzombek passed away “Tiger” Tom assumed the role as the “leader of the Long Island gang” in honor of his close friend and competitor. Baldwin authored 11 career wins at Riverhead Raceway including a NASCAR WMT victory.

Coming into the 2015 Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 50 Tom Rogers Jr. has already made three visits to victory lane and the two drivers who chased him in 2014 Ron Silk or Norwalk, CT and Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT are expected to compete as well. Preece won the May 23rd NASCAR Modified feature as a tune up for the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 50. Among those hoping take home the gold are defending champion and past winner of this race Howie Brode of E. Islip, John Fortin of Holtsville, Shawn Solomito of E. Moriches, Jason Agugliaro of Islip, John Beatty Jr. of Merrick, impressive rookie Kyle Soper of Manorville, Vinny Biondolillo of Farmingville, Jerry Solomito Jr. of Hampton Bays and Dave Brigati of Calverton.

With an open date on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour it is hoped and expected that some teams will make their way to Riverhead Raceway in preparation for the Hoosier Tire 200 that will be contested on June 27th. Eric Goodale of Riverhead, Dave Sapienza of Riverhead and Jeffrey Goodale of Riverhead could very well fit that category.

Whelen Engineering of Chester, Ct. title sponsor for both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour as well the All-American Series will be on hand with their Whelen Safety Car displaying the warning and emergency light they produce. All feature event winners will take home a Whelen Engineering trophy with the Figure Eights, Chargers and Legend Race Cars joining the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 50. The night will conclude with the first Saturday night race for the 8-Cylinder Enduro class.