Mother Nature Doesn't Stop Racing Action at Riverhead
by Tracy Chirico
In spite of potential severe weather for Saturday, Riverhead
Raceway officials decided to take their chances and move forward
with the scheduled running of the Whelen Modified Tour, and
their gamble paid off. With the exception of a short burst of
rain that ended WMT practice a little early, the weather
cooperated and fans were treated to an exciting night of racing.
The day's qualifying started with time trials for the
Chargers, with Chris Turbush turning in a lap of 13.278 to grab
the pole. Second fastest was Steve Ratti, who posted a lap of
13.408. Dan Turbush, making a return to the Charger ranks, timed
third-fastest at 13.448.
WMT time trials were next, with 34 cars taking time.
Defending Riverhead Modified champion Bill Park posted the
fastest time of the day with a lap of 11.926. Park just edged
out former Riverhead Late Model champion Glenn Tyler, who posted
a lap of 11.928. Third fastest was Todd Szegedy with a lap of
11.935. Jimmy Blewett and Tony Ferrante each turned laps of
11.936 to round out the top five in time trial efforts.
Following the National Anthem, the two 25-lap qualifying
heats for the WMT were run. In contrast to typical Saturday
night races at Riverhead, all laps were counted during all WMT
events for the night, including those run under caution.
In the first heat, Bill Park was on the pole in the Smithtown
Nissan #20, with the Wisk-Snuggle #2 of Todd Szegedy on the
outside pole. Park took the lead on the start, with Szegedy
falling into second and the Sunoco #31 of Tony Ferrante
running third. On lap 1, there was contact between Szegedy and
Ferrante, and both cars went around between turns 1 and 2. A
number of cars running further back in the pack were collected
as a result, and the caution came out. Those suffering damage
included the Area Auto Racing News #0 of Danny Sammons, who
suffered a flat, and the North Shore Animal League America #23
of Justin Bonsignore, who required a double-hook to be removed
from the track. The restart on lap 8 pitted Park on the inside
against the Al-Lee Installations #36 of Ted Christopher on the
outside pole. The two came across the line side-by-side and
battled for the lead, swapping the position several times before
Christopher settled into second on lap 10. The Jessup
Landscaping #03 of Mike Andrews Jr. was running third, but he
was being challenged on the outside by the Diversified
Metals/Ace Moldings #16 of Mike Stefanik. The two wrestled for
the spot until Andrews Jr. was able to pull comfortably ahead on
lap 15. Park, meanwhile, built up a comfortable lead, coming
across the line roughly a half a straightaway ahead of
Christopher to win the heat. Christopher was second, and Andrews
Jr. was third.
The start of the second heat pitted the Financial Federal
Credit/Sypher Construction #8 of Glenn Tyler on the inside
against the TS Haulers/Major Motion Transport #19 of Jimmy
Blewett. Blewett edged out front on the intial lap, with Tyler
falling into second while the Riverhead Building Supply #58 of
Kevin Goodale and the Northeastern Office Equipment #1 of Chuck
Steuer waged a side-by-side battle for the third spot. Goodale
grabbed third, and Steuer settled into fourth. The heat ran
green-to-checker, with the top five cars running nose-to-tail.
Blewett won the heat, followed by Tyler and Goodale.
The 30-lap double point Blunderbust race was the first
feature event of the evening. For the second week in a row, the
Sepe Racing #6 of Scott Sepe was slated to start on the pole,
but suffered mechanical woes that kept the car in the pits. As a
result, the Constant Performance #29 of Jessica Larsen started
on the pole, with the C&A Auto Parts #11x of Kevin Rommeney on
the outside pole. Larsen grabbed the lead coming out of turn 2
on the initial lap, with Rommeney dropping to second and the
Crackerjack Auto Supply #79 of Bill Wegmann third. Wegmann
quickly took the second spot from Rommeney, and moved to the
inside of Larsen to grab the lead on lap 1. Meanwhile, the
Robert's Express Fuel Oil #19 of last week's feature winner Rob
Bader Jr. spun into the infield but no caution was needed as
Bader got the car righted and rejoined the race. By lap 2, the
J&C Auto Salvage #76 of Joe Pingitore had moved into third and
went to the inside of Larsen for second. Larsen continued to get
shuffled back, as the #22 of Scott Maliszewski took over the
third spot on lap 3. At lap 5, the top three cars were running
nose-to-tail. On lap 7, Maliszewski wrestled the second spot
from Pingitore using the inside line. By lap 9, the top five
cars were running in a tight pack, as the Service Master Clean
#61 of Chris Busick and the Unique Golf Shop #00 of Tommy
Walkowiak had caught the group. Maliszewski grabbed the lead
from Wegmann on lap 10. Pingitore then went to the inside of
Wegmann, taking over second on lap 11. Meanwhile, Busick had
worked his way forward, and he passed Pingitore for second on
lap 12. Walkowiak also marched through the field, taking third
on lap 13. The caution came out as Pingitore went around and
Wegmann suffered a flat tire. For the restart, Maliszewski was
on the inside with Busick in the outside lane. Maliszewski
jumped out front, with Walkowaik right on his back bumper and
Busick riding the outside. Busick fought back on the outside,
and Maliszewski and Busick came across the line side-by-side for
lap 15. Maliszewski continued to press on and brought Walkowiak
forward to take the second spot by mere inches on lap 16. At lap
20, the top three cars were distancing themselves from the rest
of the field. With two laps to go in the event, the lead pack
had lapped traffic directly in front of them. On the last lap,
Walkowiak pulled up alongside of Maliszewski to make a
last-ditch attempt to grab the lead. Coming out of turn 4 to
take the checkered flag, Busick also pulled alongside, and the
three came across the line side-by-side in a finish that was
determined by a matter of inches. Maliszewski was declared the
winner for the first time in 2008, with Walkowiak taking second
and Busick third.
Next up was the 30-lap double point Charger race, with the
starting lineup coming straight up out of time trials. The Chris
Mohr Landscaping #81 of Chris Turbush started on the pole, with
the James Becht Builders #37 of Steve Ratti on the outside pole.
Chris Turbush jumped out to the early lead, with Ratti grabbing
second and the Turbush Racing #8 of Dan Turbush third. On lap 4,
the B. Sexton Site Development #23 of Tom Anderson got sideways
on the backstretch, with the Uncle Guiseppe #30 of Daryn
Miller then making contact and going across the front of
Anderson's car. Miller was able to continue and Anderson limped
the car to the infield, with no caution being thrown. On lap 5,
the #17x of 2007 Charger champion John Ellwood, making his first
Charger start of 2008, spun to the infield, and the caution came
out on lap 6 as Ellwood's car was determined to be too close to
the racing surface. Dan Turbush pitted under caution with a
flat, but returned. For the restart, Chris Turbush was again on
the inside with Ratti on his outside. Chris Turbush again shot
out front, with Ratti in second and Miller in third. Meanwhile
the Riverhead Building Supply #10 of Brad VanHouten and the
Riverhead Building Supply #66 of Timmy Solomito were battling
side-by-side for the fourth spot. VanHouten went around between
turns 3 and 4 on lap 7, but no caution was necessary. Solomito
wrestled his way into third. On lap 11, the caution came out for
the LMR #56 of Jay Henschel, which had come to a stop between in
turn 4. Another caution came out on lap 13 for the #60 of Kory
Comiskey, which spun between turns 3 and 4. Again Chris Turbush
and Ratti restarted on the front row, with Chris Turbush only
slightly ahead of Ratti on the restart. Chris Turbush worked his
way back out front, but Ratti got the nose of his car underneath
the back of Chris Turbush's car and the two lost momentum
together in the outside lane, allowing Solomito to grab the lead
coming across the line for lap 15. The Gershow Recycling #89x of
Chris McGuire followed for second, with Miller coming to third.
Henschel's car slowed near the wall in turn 4, and he attempted
to move the car off of the track, but the car slid up to the
wall again in turn 2 and the caution came out on lap 19.
Solomito sat on the pole for the single-file restart, with
McGuire in second and Miller in third. Solomito held the lead on
the restart, and Chris Turbush worked his way back into the
third spot, passing Miller on lap 20. Solomito and McGuire were
running nose-to-tail ahead of the rest of the field and Solomito
slid on lap 21, but corrected himself and continued to lead.
Rookie competitor Solomito held off McGuire to collect his first
career Charger win. McGuire was second, with Chris Turbush
third.
Following the Charger feature, Wayne Anderson was honored as
part of NASCAR's celebration of 30 years of Modified champions.
The former Modified Tour and Riverhead Raceway champion was
presented with a leather jacket and framed picture of all of the
living Modified Tour champions as part of the recognition of his
achievements.
Then it was time for the headlining Miller Lite 140 Modified
Tour race. The drivers were given on-track introductions before
strapping in and getting the call to start their engines.
The Smithtown Nissan #20 of Bill Park started on the pole,
with the TS Haulers/Major Motion Transport #19 of Jimmy Blewett
on the outside pole. Park nosed out front on the start, but
Blewett fought back on the outside and grabbed the lead, coming
across the line first for lap 1. Park was second, with the
Al-Lee Installations #36 of Ted Christopher third. The Jessup
Landscaping #03 of Mike Andrews Jr. settled into fourth. Caution
came out on lap 5 for a car that went around on the backstretch.
The race resumed on lap 11, with Blewett on the inside and Park
on the outside. The two ran side-by-side, with Blewett a nose
ahead of Park when the caution came out again on lap 13 as the
Ron Bouchard Auto/Premier Kitchens #10 of Ed Flemke Jr., the A-1
Auto Center #11 of Anthony Sesely, and the J Co./Clean-Up Supply
#99 of Jamie Tomaino all came together in turn 1. When the green
flag flew again on lap 21, Blewett was on the inside with Park
on the outside. Blewett shot out front on the restart, while
Christopher challenged Park for second behind him. Park,
however, held the position. The caution waved once again on lap
23 for a car that had come to a stop in turn 2. The restart on
lap 31 again pitted Blewett on the inside against Park on the
outside. Blewett pulled out front, with Park second and Andrews
Jr. running side-by-side with Christopher for third. Park
shot to the inside of Blewett to take the lead on lap 36, while
Christopher followed to take second on lap 37. Caution came out
again on lap 39, as the Ramar-Hall/Civali Auto/Genesis #28 of
James Civali spun and tagged the wall in turn 4 with the back
end of the car. The race resumed on lap 48, with Park on the
inside and Christopher on the outside. Park nosed out front on
the restart, with Christopher second and Blewett and the
Diversified Metals #16 of Mike Stefanik running side-by-side for
third. The Sunoco #31 of Tony Ferrante Jr. and Andrews Jr. made
contact, resulting in another caution at lap 50. When the race
restarted on lap 59, Park was again on the inside with
Christopher on the outside. Christopher got out front on the
restart, with Park second. Caution waved again on lap 64. The
restart on lap 74 pitted Christopher on the inside against Park
on the outside. Christopher took the lead, with Park second,
while the Riverhead Building Supply #58 of Kevin Goodale
challenged Blewett for third, with Blewett holding the position.
Christopher and Park took advantage of the opportunity to begin
distancing themselves from the rest of the field. Caution came
out once again on lap 83, as several cars were involved in an
incident that ultimately resulted in Andrews Jr. ending up in
the infield and Civali sliding to a stop near the turn 4 wall.
Christopher and Park again made up the front row for the lap 94
restart. Christopher again pulled ahead as Blewett challenged
Park for the lead but the caution flew again for an incident
involving no fewer than five cars in turn 1. Flemke Jr., Sesely,
the Eastport Feeds #15 of Wayne Anderson, the Furnace & Duct #59
of Matt Hirschman, and the Monk Mechanics Hand Cleaner #93 of
Rowan Pennink were all involved, and the Wisk-Snuggle #2 of Todd
Szegedy was forced to pit with a flat tire. The race resumed on
lap 102, with Christopher and Blewett making up the front row.
The two rubbed a bit, with Blewett moving into the lead on lap
102. Christopher fell back to second, with Park running third.
The Hill Enterprises/Coors Light/Sunoco #76 of Ronnie Silk used
an inside pass to take third on lap 109, with the New Rochelle
Toyota #18 of Donny Lia following to take fourth on lap 110.
Park spun between turns 3 and 4, bringing the caution out on lap
111. The green flag flew again on lap 121, with Blewett on the
inside and Christopher on the outside. Blewett jumped out front
on the restart, while Stefanik grabbed the second spot. Caution
was out again on lap 123, as the Mystic Missle #4 of Chuck
Hossfeld went around in an incident that also involved Park,
Goodale, Flemke Jr., and Szegedy. The race went green again on
lap 130, with Blewett on the inside and Stefanik on the outside.
Blewett held on to the lead, while Silk got past Stefanik for
second. Stefanik continued to get shuffled back, as Lia moved
into third on that same lap. Silk looked to both the inside and
outside of Blewett, but was unable to make a move for the lead.
Caution flew again on lap 136, setting the stage for a
green-white-checker finish to the scheduled 140-lap event. The
single-file restart took place on lap 145, with Blewett out in
front of Silk and Lia. Blewett pulled away on the restart, and
went on to collect his third career WMT victory, the first at
Riverhead. Silk was second, with Lia third. Christopher and the
Mizzy Construction/Reynold's Auto Wrecking #3 of Ryan Preece
rounded out the top five.
The final event of the night was the stock 8 cylinder Enduro.
There were 50+ cars for the 75-lap affair. Enduro veteran
Anthony Pizzo, who started on the pole, shot out to the early
lead, coming up on the tail end of the field abruptly as the
line of cars stretched nearly halfway around the track for the
start. Pizzo suffered an unfortunate fate, however, as his car
ended up in the infield. Just past the halfway mark, at lap 40,
24 cars remained in the race. Another Enduro veteran, Dominic
Ranieri Jr., made his way through the lapped traffic and around
the obstacles on the track to cross the finish line first in the
action-packed event. Dege Russell finished second, with former
Blunderbust driver Jason Carpenter taking third.
And the Word Around the Pits...
Several WMT drivers, as well as a few other drivers, took part
in a "celebrity" RC race at Donny Lia's 360 RC Speedway in West
Babylon on Friday night. The drivers ran a heat race, as well as
a feature event. The feature was won by Donny Lia, with Todd
Szegedy finishing second and Kevin Goodale finishing third.
Other drivers in attendance included Glenn Tyler, Ryan Preece,
Timmy Solomito, Eric Goodale, Tom Rogers Jr., and Shawn
Solomito.
There were a few media representatives on hand for the NASCAR
WMT race. They included Area Auto Racing News editor
Lenny Sammons, whose son Danny runs on the WMT. Danny Sammons
unfortunately did not qualify for the event. Also on hand was
Newsday reporter Katie Strang, working on an article about
Wayne Anderson, who was honored as part of NASCAR's recognition
of 60 years of Modified racing. Another Newsday reporter, Jim Baumbach, will be visiting Pocono this weekend and the paper
published a prelude piece that centered around Tommy Baldwin Jr.
Newsday also printed an article in Saturday's paper about Donny Lia. LongIslandJam.com's own founder J.A. Ackley, the managing
editor for Speedway Illustrated, also made the trek out
to Riverhead for the WMT race. He was busy providing live
updates of the race for The Chrome Horn until his battery gave
out just before the end of the race.
A field of 16 cars took to the track for the 30-lap double
point Charger feature. The field included "Dynamite" Dan Turbush,
who made his first race start since undergoing surgery earlier
in the year. Also taking the green was 2007 Charger champion
John Ellwood. Turbush was 6th in the final rundown, while
Ellwood was 12th.
Young 16-year-old Timmy Solomito continued to impress with
his first career Charger victory. The driver has already
captured two Legends victories this season, and currently leads
in Legends points standings with only two scheduled races left
in the season. Solomito will be busy next weekend, with a
Charger race on Saturday and the return of the Legends cars on
Sunday.
The Enduros return to Sunday competition next weekend, as
each division has had its scheduled Saturday night show. The 4/6
cylinder trucks, however, will see an added Saturday night show
on August 16th, while the Grand Enduro class will have an added
Saturday night race on August 23rd. The added Saturday night
shows will be non-points races for both classes.
Things They Say in Victory Lane...
"That probably was the most I've worked for a race in my life."
-Scott Maliszewski
"You've got to beat the best of the best for this one and we got
it accomplished and that was awesome." -Timmy Solomito
""There was some beating and banging, rough short-track racing
going on." -Jimmy Blewett
Source: Tracy
Chirico/LongIslandJam.com
Posted:
August 2, 2008
