Jam Profile: Mike Cappiello

For more than sixteen years, Mike Cappiello has been a big part of the Riverhead Raceway family. From holding a job as a NASCAR official, to helping competitors gain some needed sponsorship for their teams. He has dedicated his life to racing here on Long Island.

On May 22, 2010, Cappiello’s life almost crossed the finish line. It was a Saturday night and Cappiello was crossing the infield of the track when a racecar lost control and collided with Cappiello tossing him midair. The collision left him with two broken legs, seven broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder and a bruised spine. Luckily after only a few weeks in the hospital and a few months in rehab, Cappiello was able to return to Riverhead. Though he wasn’t able to come back full time, he was determined to be present at Riverhead as many Saturday nights as he could until he was fully recovered. Cappiello wanted to be around the people and the racing community that he loved.

Through all his struggles, Cappiello is back to full health and loves where he is in life. He is still an official at Riverhead, however he is no longer in his former Chief Stewart position. Cappiello is still a big part of what goes on in promoting events and gaining sponsorships for various events throughout the season. He has no plans on packing it in and walking away from Riverhead anytime soon. “There is nowhere I would rather be on the weekend than Riverhead Raceway,” said Cappiello.

Source: Bob Mack/LongIslandJam.com