Long Island Riverhead Raceway 

Kyle Ellwood Wins Second Career Modified Race in Wild Fashion

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Kyle Ellwood didn’t expect to be winning races this year. However, while racing for Goodie Motorsports, Ellwood has turned the corner in dramatic fashion.

After winning his first career modified contest a mere three weeks ago, the 19-year-old Riverhead native has worked his way back to the winner’s circle. Ellwood drew the pole position during time trails earlier in the day after qualifying in the runner-up position to David Brigati. The two were battling for the lead right off the bat when Ellwood got into the rear of Brigati’s No. 41 car on lap two. Brigati’s evening was completed as his car received major damage to the left front of his racecar.

Once the wreck cleared, defending champion Howie Brode, took the lead. However, after Jeffrey Goodale hit the rear end of Ken Darch’s No. 03 car, there were three consecutive cautions within a lap. On the first restart, Darch got into the No. 06 car. Simultaneously, Ellwood was attempting to pass Brode on the low line entering the final corner. As he did so, Brode’s No. 96 car spun out – collecting the No. 3 car of Al Ermmarino in the process.

Ermmarino was able to walk away from his vehicle, but was seen holding his arm as he looked to be in severe pain. Track officials stated that Ermmarino was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation as he had sustained either a wrist or hand injury.

With five laps to go, Goodale hit the wall in Turn 1, but he was able to continue. On the final restart of the evening, Ellwood held off a hard charging Vinny Biondolillo for the win.

Brode continues to hold the points lead over Ryan Preece, who was absent once again due to racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday. Tom Rogers Jr. is third in points, and should be able to take the second position next week as Preece will not be present once again due to racing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Even with his win, Ellwood sits eighth in points.

“When the whole deal happened, it was really lame that it happened, but it is what it is. I kind of lost my edge for a little bit and my spotter kept me calm. He kept telling me that the car is still as good as it was, and keep driving it – you’re only 10 laps into the race. You can do it – there are only 10 cars here. I kept my head on and we just kept picking them off. As the race went on, I realized I had a really good racecar. It worked out in our favor,” Ellwood said.

“It was pretty wild to even get the first one to begin with. I never expected that with a new team. Every week, we are learning. To be able to get a win, we have been running for a couple of years, but this is my first real year racing the Modifieds. To be able to get the first one is wild, let alone a second one. “

Kulesa Scores First Win of 2014

In an eventful evening for the Late Models, Scott Kulesa was able to come out on top. Kulesa won his first race of the 2014 season as he was able to hold off Roger Oxee for the victory.

Chris La Spisa, who sat on the pole, finished in the 10th position after having mechanical issues as the beginning of the event. A large piece of debris flew out of his car as the green flag waved – forcing La Spisa to put a conclusion to his evening without even running a full lap. As this happened, Shawn Patrick and Kevin Metzger got together in Turn 1, which caused the second caution of the day.

Throughout the race, Kulesa was able to hold a slight lead over Oxee. On Lap 15, Metzger got into Patrick’s car, but no caution waved as the two racers ended up in the infield.

Mike Bologna continues to lead the points by 10 markers over Jeremy McDermott and 11 over Patrick.

Davidowitz Racks Up Fourth Victory of the Season

In another wild Legends race, Richard Davidowitz was able to hold off Vinny Delaney for his fourth win of the year. Davidowitz took over the lead from Delaney on Lap 16, and didn’t look back in his No. 25 car.

During the heat races preceding the main event, Kurt Krieger flipped entering the final corner – colliding with the No. 52 car of Allan Pedersen. Just moments after Krieger’s flip, Gregory Harris was sent flying over Ed Cheslak’s vehicle. Both drivers that flipped were not injured.

On Lap six, the caution flag waved for a spin by the No. 38 car coming out of Turn 2. Delaney held the lead for the majority of the race, but had pressure from the No. 51 car of Artie Pedersen III as well as Brad Van Houten in the No. 09. On Lap 18, Pedersen III spun out, setting up for an exciting finish.

As Delaney attempted to charge pass Davidowitz, his car just wasn’t strong enough. With his fourth win of 2014, Davidowitz now sits third in points. Kyle Soper continues to hold the points lead over Van Houten by six points. Davidowitz is 18 markers back with Brendon Bock and Delaney rounding out the top-five.

“It means a lot (to get the win). It didn’t even look like I was going to get the fourth win tonight. It was very hard to pass tonight,” Davidowitz said. “Last week, we had a bad week. We gained a good chunk of points back, so it is good momentum for us. Once I got by them, it wasn’t hard at all (to hold them off). I just tried hitting my marks and driving away.”

Roger Turbush Scores 19th Career SPT Victory

Recording his first win this year, Roger Turbush took his No. 88 truck to the winner’s circle for the 19th time in his career. Turbush was able to hold off Lou Maestri for the victory after avoiding the multiple wrecks that occurred on Saturday evening.

On Lap two, points leader Erin Solomito and Frank Dumicich Jr., got together – making slight contact. Dumicich Jr.’s No. 42 truck received left front fender damage, but he was able to continue. A few laps later, Brian McElearney’s No. 99 truck went into the wall coming out of Turn 2 after running in the second position. McElearney was hit in the rear end by Mike Albasini, who had a strong run coming out of the corner. After the wreck, McElearney threw his steering wheel at Albasini’s No. 66 truck – showcasing his frustration.

On Lap 8, Dave Koenig and Jimmy Rennick Jr. were racing side-by-side when Mark Stewart shoved his way in between them on the frontstretch. Entering Turn 1, Koenig’s No. 97 truck got into Stewart’s No. 4, forcing all three of them to slam into the wall. Stewart and Rennick ended up finishing ninth and 10th, respectively. Five laps later, Koenig tapped the fence, but kept going as he was battling Frank Dumicich Sr. for position. On Lap 16, Amanda Andersen spun out by herself – forcing the final caution flag of the evening to fly.

Turbush had an intense battle with Maestri and Albasini, but he was able to hold them off to take the checkered flag. Erin Solomito continues to lead the standings by two markers over Maestri. Stewart sits third in points with Koenig Jr. and Albasini rounding out the top-five.

Walkowiak Walks Away with Blunderbusts Victory

At the end of the night, Tommy Walkowiak won the Blunderbusts race. The victory marks Walkowiak’s second win of 2014 as he was able to hold off Terry Stiles, who was looking for his third win this year. Jack Handley Jr. continues to lead the standings by 16 markers over Tom Pickerell, who finished fifth on Saturday evening. Jimmy White Jr., William A. Wegmann and Brian Brown round out the top-five in points.

Pedersen Puts the Pedal to the Metal to Win the Figure Eights Race:

Scott Pedersen held off a hard charging Roger Maynor for the victory in the Figure Eights spectacle. Pedersen recorded his first win this year in the nine-car field. Maynor took the points lead over from Tom Rogers, who has two triumphs this season. As those two drivers continue to dominate the division, Mike Mujsce Sr. and Gary Fritz Jr. are looking to gain ground on them as they are over 30 markers behind the championship lead.

Photos available at: http://www.racerhub.com/photos/index.php?cat=2287

Modified Results:

  1. Kyle Ellwood (1)
  2. Vinny Biondolilo (4)
  3. Jason Agugliaro (5)
  4. Howie Brode (3)
  5. Jeffrey Goodale (8)
  6. Russell Savoy (9)
  7. Jack Handley Jr. (10)
  8. Ken Darch (6)
  9. Al Ermmarino (7)
  10. David Brigati (2)

Late Model Results:

  1. Scott Kulesa (2)
  2. Roger Oxee (3)
  3. Buzzy Eriksen (6)
  4. Mike Bologna (7)
  5. Kevin Metzger (8)
  6. Jeremy McDermott (4)
  7. Chris Lescenski (5)
  8. Shawn Patrick (9)
  9. Artie Pedersen III (10)
  10. Chris La Spisa (1)

Legends Results:

  1. Richard Davidowitz
  2. Vinny Delaney
  3. Brad Van Houten
  4. Brendon Bock
  5. Dylan Slepian
  6. Kyle Soper
  7. Eric Hersey
  8. Bryan Kelly
  9. Vincent Colletti
  10. Allan Pedersen
  11. Ray Fitzgerald
  12. Jim Sylvester
  13. Mike Van Houten
  14. Gregory Harris
  15. Kevin Chew
  16. George Tomko Jr.
  17. Tom Marsh
  18. John Harley
  19. Artie Pedersen III
  20. Joe Oliver
  21. Ed Cheslak
  22. Eric Henschel
  23. Wally Davidowitz
  24. Steve Hersey

SPT Results:

  1. Roger Turbush
  2. Lou Maestri
  3. Michael Albasini
  4. Erin Solomito
  5. Frank Dumicich Jr.
  6. Frank N. Dumicich
  7. David Koenig Jr.
  8. Amanda Lee Andersen
  9. Mark Stewart
  10. Jimmy Rennick Jr.
  11. Brian McElearney

Bunderbusts Results:

  1. Tommy Walkowiak
  2. Terry Stiles
  3. Jack Handley Jr.
  4. Jimmy White Jr.
  5. Tom Pickerell
  6. William A. Wegmann
  7. Brian Brown
  8. Tom Sullivan
  9. William Jr. Wegmann
  10. Joe Warren
  11. Bryan Sescila
  12. Thomas Puccia
  13. Tim Mulqueen
  14. Ray Shannon
  15. Edward Mistretta
  16. Charlie Zukowski
  17. Devin Maliszewski
  18. Jessica Cohen
  19. Brian Quilliam
  20. Rich Hubbar

Figure 8 Results:

  1. Scott Pedersen
  2. Roger Maynor
  3. Tom Rogers
  4. Kenneth Hyde Jr.
  5. Mike Mujsce Sr.
  6. Cj Lehmann
  7. Gary Fritz Jr.
  8. Brian Quilliam
  9. Chris Elixson

    Source: Joseph Wolkin/LongIslandJam.com