10 to Go with Shawn Solomito

This week 10 to go is with new father and driver of the No. 15 Eastport Feeds modified, Shawn Solomito.

How did you start racing?

Shawn Solomito: My dad used to race back in the day. He used to run Mini Modifieds and full blown Modifieds here [at Riverhead]. I think I went to the race track when I was two weeks old, so from there I guess you could say I was hooked. I started racing go-karts when I was 9 or 10; I ran Medford on Fridays, Riverhead on Sundays and Westhampton on Saturdays.

What did you race after go-karts?

Solomito: We stuck with the go-karts for a long time I think I was 16 or 17 years old when I got into the Charger car. I think I ran half a year here at Riverhead Raceway and then from there I went into the Modifieds and been there ever since.

Besides Riverhead Raceway, what tracks have you raced at?

Solomito: I’ve been to I think three or four tracks. Stafford [CT], Waterford [CT], and Thompson [CT].

What track is your favorite?

Solomito: Thompson by far, it’s just real fast and you can drive the car as hard as you want. Usually the harder and more comfortable you are the faster your car is going to be.

What do you like about running on the Whelen Modified Tour?

Solomito: The tour is definitely the most competitive series out there for sure, the driver talent is unbelievable and the teams that are put together are well oiled machines and everyone comes here 110%, if you’re off a little bit it shows. That’s the greatest thing about this series it’s so competitive.

Do you have a favorite moment in your career?

Solomito: I won the championship a couple of years ago, New York State [points] deal and had gotten to go to Charlotte for that; that was pretty cool.

Now that you are a new dad, have you had difficulty racing and being a father?

Solomito: So far it’s only my second week being a dad and I took off work so I can stay home and hang out with my son. It’s been easy so far because I’ve been staying home hanging out with my son during the day and doing the racecars at night but it will get difficult shortly when I go back to work.

Do you want to see your son get into racing?

Solomito: Yes and no, yes because it’s what made me and my family so close. My parents and my brothers we’re all so close because of racing so for that aspect yes I do want him to race. No, for the money side of it because it’s so expensive and without really good sponsors and backing it’s nearly impossible now.

Do you have any superstitions or anything you do before each race?

Solomito: I wear usually the same T-shirt if we raced the week before or I’ll wear the same pair of boxers but, other than that it’s just another day.

Where do you want to see your racing career in the future?

Solomito: I would like to stay on the Whelen Modified Tour, I mean I’m 26 I’m not going anywhere without big money. Doesn’t really matter if you have talent now but, I wouldn’t mind being on the tour full time and running at Riverhead on Saturday nights but, as long as I am still [racing] there will be a smile on my face.

Source: Brenden Madonia/LongIslandJam.com