Solomito Captures Legends Win by Inches

The INEX Legends were initially scheduled to run as the second feature of the night, but a rain delay right after the first race caused them to run fourth. But the race was well worth the wait.

Timmy Solomito battled hard early on with Bryan Kelly, but Solomito was eventually able to take the lead from Kelly on the outside of turn two. Solomito then took off from the rest of the field.

With just three laps to go Solomito’s teammate, Justin Strumpf, blew a motor in turn two. The engine compartment went on fire, and Strumpf quickly exited the car. Strumpf said later that he was okay, though it was just a bit scary.

Solomito led Brad Van Houten and defending track champion Brandon Bock to a single-file restart with two laps to go. Bock stole second place from Van Houten on the exit of turn two and quickly set his sights on Solomito for the win.

Bock drove hard into turn three and made contact with Solomito, forcing Solomito up the track as the two headed for the finish. Solomito and Bock finished side-by-side in a photo finish, with Bock eventually being declared the winner.

But later in the evening Solomito was declared the winner. Apparently a scoring glitch put Bock ahead of Solomito when really he finished behind him by inches. The margin of victory for Solomito was 0.005 second over Bock.

“It’s a little weird,” said Solomito about learning he won the race more than an hour after the race had actually ended. “But I guess any win is a good win. I thought we had him beat. I thought my bumper was ahead by a little bit. The team deserves it. They bring a great car to the track every week.”

Fortin Sr. Sweeps Twin-30s

After a trying opening night a week earlier, John Fortin Sr. swept the twin 30-lap features for the NASCAR Modifieds.

Fortin was in a class all his own as he led all 60 laps from the pole position. After dealing with three cautions in the first ten laps Fortin and Timmy Solomito drove away from the rest of the field. But it was clear that Fortin was stronger than Solomito as he put a gap of three car lengths on Solomito.

Solomito was never able to mount a serious challenge for the lead and Fortin easily scored the victory in the first race. Solomito, Ron Silk, Eric Goodale and Tom Rogers Jr. completed the top five in race one.

The second 30-lap feature saw a new challenger for Fortin as Silk quickly took second from Solomito.

Silk was able to stay closer to Fortin than Solomito, but he too was unable to mount a true attempt at the lead and Fortin once again scored the victory. Silk, Solomito, Goodale and Dave Sapienza completed the top five for race two.

“It’s been a long time since I won,” said Fortin. “It takes the pressure off. I’m getting older so you never know when you’re last win is going to be. It just feels good to be able to get it again.”

Maestri Takes Super Pro Truck Win

Lou Maestri made it look easy as he scored his first win of the 2014 season. He started third, but was quickly battling for the lead.

Rich Campo and Erin Solomito led the field to the green flag, but by the time they made their way to turn three they were already three-wide with Maestri. Maestri and Solomito cleared Campo and engaged in a battle of their own for a few laps before Maestri was finally able to clear Solomito.

Maestri ran the rest of the race mostly uncontested. He never had to deal with any restarts as the race went caution-free.

“She (Solomito) ran a clean, good race for four laps,” said Maestri. “But once I got the edge on her I just started to pull away. I just wanted to keep her in the rear-view mirror so she couldn’t get too close.”

Zeh Holds off Midgett For Chargers Victory

The defending Charger champion finished second on Opening Night, but did himself one better a week later. Eric Zeh held off multiple advances from Cory Midgett to score his first win of the season.

Zeh took the lead from Midgett on the second lap of the race on the outside of turn two and started to drive away from the rest of the field. But it appeared that Zeh had a short run car as the field caught back up to him after a few laps.

On the last run of the race Midgett got to the back of Zeh and gave him a few shots to the bumper. But Zeh was able to hold off Midgett and take down the win.

“We made a lot of the changes over the winter,” said Zeh. “The car is close. We’re getting there. We’ve still got a lot more speed to come.”

Eriksen Wins Caution-Free Late Model Feature

Buzzy Eriksen started the 25-lap Late Model feature from the top spot and stayed there the entire race. Mike Bologna and Roger Oxee stayed right with Eriksen, but they never were able to mount a charge.

Eriksen took the checkered flag with Bologna, Oxee, Ken Alfano, and Chris La Spisa completing the top five.

“It was fun. Just a lot of fun,” said Eriksen. “I wanted this one bad. It takes that pressure off and makes everything better.”

Handley Is Two-For-Two

Two races, two wins for Jack Handley Jr. in 2014. Handley started sixth but slowly and methodically worked his way to the front.

With six laps to go Handley took second place on the exit of turn four. By the entrance to turn one he was already side-by-side with the leader.

After Handley took the lead he took off and left Tommy Walkowiak and Jimmy White to fight over second place. Tom Puccia and Tim Mulqueen completed the top five.

Figure Eights Cancelled

Riverhead Raceway battled through two rain delays, but managed to get in six of the seven races scheduled to run. The Figure Eight division was the only division that was cancelled because the infield was too wet to race on.

The division will be back in action next Saturday for the Cromarty Cup 20-lap event, which will now be a double-purse event.

 

Photos available at: http://www.racerhub.com/photos/index.php?cat=2252

 

Modified Race 1 Results:

1. (1) John Fortin Sr.

2. (2) Timmy Solomito

3. (4) Ron Silk

4. (6) Eric Goodale

5. (3) Tom Rogers Jr.

6. (10) Dave Sapienza

7. (8) Howie Brode

8. (14) Eddie Brunnhoelzl III

9. (7) Ryan Preece

10. (15) Vinny Biondolillo

11. (5) Jason Agugliaro

12. (13) Jerry Solomito

13. (12) Ken Darch

14. (9) John Fortin Jr.

15. (11) Amber Fortin

16. (16) Dave Schneider

Modified Race 2:

1. (1) John Fortin Sr.

2. (3) Ron Silk

3. (2) Timmy Solomito

4. (4) Eric Goodale

5. (6) Dave Sapienza

6. (9) Ryan Preece

7. (10) Vinny Biondolillo

8. (8) Eddie Brunnhoelzl III

9. (14) John Fortin Jr.

10. (7) Howie Brode

11. (11) Jason Agugliaro

12. (15) Amber Fortin

13. (13) Ken Darch

14. (5) Tom Rogers Jr.

15. (12) Jerry Solomito

16. (16) Dave Schneider

Late Model Results:

1. (1) Buzzy Eriksen

2. (3) Mike Bologna

3. (2) Roger Oxee

4. (4) Ken Alfano

5. (6) Chris La Spisa

6. (8) Shawn Patrick

7. (7) Jeremy McDermott

8. (5) Kevin Metzger

9. (9) Chris Lescenski

Chargers Results

1. (2) Eric Zeh

2. (1) Cory Midgett

3. (4) Chris Turbush

4. (5) CJ Lehmann

5. (9) Daryn Miller

6. (11) Scott Pedersen

7. (3) Ray Minieri

8. (6) Dan Lynch

9. (7) Owen Grennan

10. (10) John Baker

11. (8) Greg Immerman

Super Pro Truck Results:

1. (3) Lou Maestri

2. (2) Erin Solomito

3. (6) Roger Turbush

4. (10) Dave Koenig

5. (9) Brian McElearney

6. (4) Frank Dumicich Sr.

7. (8) Mark Stewart

8. (1) Rich Campo

9. (13) Amanda Lee Anderson

10. (12) Jeremy Rennick

11. (5) Mike Albasini

12. (7) Frank Dumicich Jr.

Blunderbust Results:

1. Jack Handley Jr. (6)

2. Tommy Walkowiak (9)

3. Jimmy White Jr. (3)

4. Tom Puccia (1)

5. Tim Mulqueen (4)

6. Will A. Wegmann (5)

7. Brian Brown (8)

8. Tom Pickerell (10)

9. Johnny Cricchio (14)

10. Gary Caldwell (12)

11. Tom Sullivan (7)

12. Brandon Hubbard (18)

13. Terry Stiles (15)

14. Bryan Sescila (17)

15. Paul Parisi (2)

16. Joe Warren (19)

17. Michael Rommeney (16)

18. Bryan Quilliam (11)

19. Ian Maliszewski (20)

20. CJ Zukowski (13)

Legend Results:

1. Timmy Solomito (2)

2. Brendon Bock (4)

3. Brad Van Houten (3)

4. Richie Davidowitz (5)

5. Bryan Kelly (1)

6. Kyle Soper (14)

7. Greg Harris (6)

8. Kevin Nowak (18)

9. Dylan Slepian (8)

10. Artie Pedersen III (12)

11. Eric Hersey (10)

12. Vinny Delaney (9)

13. Vincent Colletti (16)

14. Chris Rogers (13)

15. Joe Sedotto (15)

16. Ray Fitzgerald (19)

17. Justin Strumpf (27)

18. Mike Van Houten (17)

19. John Harley (21)

20. Michael Rutkoski (23)

21. Allan Pedersen (11)

22. Shawn Wanat (26)

23. Ed Cheslak (24)

24. Kurt Krieger (23)

25. Steve Smith (20)

26. Anthony Marsh (7)

27. John Beatty Jr. (22)

 

Source: Rob Blount/LongIslandJam.com