Richie Evans Question.

[Teds Race Tours]

Here is one for the veterans of Long Island Racing. According to Wikipedia, The Rapid Roman had 17 Career wins at Islip from 1970-1983, I know I saw him win about 5 of those, in maybe 7 or 8 races total. My question is, about how many races total do you think Evans ran in his career at Islip to win those 17 events? It was amazing that he could come to this little track, and dominate the way he did.

[310fig8]

I think he ran 17.

[Mike Fields]

That sounds about right!

[W. J.]

[Dwight Clock]

In all honesty, and this is just a guess, Richie probably ran no more than 45 to 50 races at Islip. He ran the two All Star League races each year until that series folded after 1973. He came for all double point shows which NASCAR limited to two per season. IIRC Richie first appeared at Islip in 1969 and ran there until it closed in 1985. That would add up to almost 45 races and he may have made a couple of others during the years. No matter what the number the man was amazing. My favorite Richie memory at Islip is when he drew the 27th starting position for an All Star 300 and, with 30 cars on that little track, had the lead before 100 laps were done.

[RickFigure8]

Richie impressed me in a way no other driver ever has. With all the true superstars of modified racing we had on Long Island whenever Richie showed up at Islip my automatic feeling was "okay, who's going to finish second". I used to have, but have not seen in years, unless it's a slide, a photo of the orange cab-over hauler Richie used for years with the trailer behind it towing the backup car. I think I took it at Trenton in 76 during the Race Of Champions. It's either lost or could be a slide. By the way, if anyone has the ability to scan slides I have a bunch from that race. I was there on my honeymoon, one day in Niagra Falls, three days in Trenton.

Rick