Opening Night Winners From 2014 Hope For Repeat Performance In 2015 Riverhead Opener May 2nd

There are a half dozen drivers hoping for the same performance on opening night at Riverhead Raceway this coming Saturday night May 2nd that they achieved last season. Seven divisions of NASCAR Whelen All American Series will usher in the 65th anniversary season of racing at Barbara & Jim Cromarty’s historic race facility.

Shawn Solomito of Islip swept the 2014 opening night NASCAR Modified Twin 30’s last spring and is hoping to do the same this year in his new ride, the famed #15 of Wayne Anderson. Out to steal Shawn’s thunder this year will be among others his two brothers Timmy and Jerry Jr. as well as the Brunnhoelzl cousins Eddie Brunnhoelzl III and four time NWSMT champion George Brunnhoelzl III. George has struck a one race deal to wheel the Bill Park entry for opening night. Other top flight drivers to watch include defending champion Howie Brode John Fortin Sr., Dave Brigati, Tom Rogers Jr., Vinny Biondolillo, Kyle Ellwood, Jeffrey Goodale and Ken Darch. Time trial qualifying will set the field with the exception of the redraw among top qualifiers.

Chris LaSpisa of Shirley is hopeful of getting his Late Model season off on the same foot he did last year with a win but defending champion Mike Bologna has other ideas as he begins his quest for a fourth LM title in the past five seasons. Jeremy McDermott, Kevin Metzger, Roger Oxee, Peter “Buzzy” Eriksen, Shawn Patrick, Scott Kulesa and Chris Lescenski all bear watching in the 25-lap lid lifter.

Former four time Charger champion Chris Turbush of Wading River took the 20-lap Charger opener last season and this year he will debut new colors as he races for Crohn’s Disease while trying to repeat his winning performance from last year. Eric Zeh will be seeking his third consecutive Charger crown in ’15 with other top flight drivers out to challenge him and Turbush including, “Radiant” Ray Minieri, CJ Lehmann, Cory Midgett, John Baker, Greg Immerman, Scott Pedersen and Owen Grennan.

Jack Handley Jr. of Medford topped the 2014 opening Blunderbust field and as much as he’d like to repeat in this year’s 20 lapper Handley is hoping for a better result in the championship chase in 2015. Jack saw a huge point lead vanish in the final race when he suffered a drive line issue handing the crown over to Tom Pickerell. Aside from Handley and Pickerell seeking victory Saturday evening, Bill Wegmann Sr., Brian Brown, Terry Stiles, Tom Sullivan, Joe Warren, Tom Puccia, Tim Mulqueen and Tommy Walkowiak all have their collective sights on victory lane.

Roger Turbush of Riverhead was the Super Pro Truck winner last May and he has already scored his first win of the new season back in early April when he won the New England Truck Series event at the Thompson Motorsports Park. Defending and four time SPT champion Lou Maestri, Erin Solomito, Mark Stewart, Mike Albasini, Jimmy Rennick as well as Frank Dumicich Sr. & Jr. are also threats for opening night victory.

Legend Race Car veteran and past champion Kevin Nowak of Medford won the 2014 opening night 20-lap main event and is hopeful of doing the same this weekend. Out to ruin Kevin’s plans are Brad Van Houten, Richie Davidowitz, Artie & Allan Pedersen, Vinny Delaney, Dylan Slepian, Bryan Kelly, Eric Hersey, Greg Harris, Chris Rogers and John Beatty Jr. are just a handful of drivers out for what they hope to be a winning drive.

Last season the opening night Figure Eight feature was won by Johnny Vullo of Farmingville but he will not return to that class in 2015 as he seeks Late Model action. However all eyes will be on Roger Maynor of Bay Shore as he starts his chase for an unprecedented 10th championship May 2nd. Tom RogersJr., Ken “Hollywood” Hyde Jr., Mike Mujsce, Scott Pedersen, CJ Lehmann, Gary Frtiz Jr. and Bryan Quilliam will all be back to test Maynor.

Feature event racing will commence at 5:30 pm for opening night preceded by Legend Race Car and NASCAR Modified time trials.