At the races: July 27

On a warm breezy night in Riverhead, with the stands filled to capacity, the crowd was here to see some good races as well as two demolition derby’s. The anxiety was growing among the kids, so Dad, order more fries, and lets get to the races………

First Race, 50 Lap, 19 Car 8 cylinder Grand Enduro Race – In a clean race with nearly no flags, James Charrier, in the #36 car, continued his dominance this season, and grabbed the checkers for the victory. Nice job James !

Second Race, 20 Lap, 17 Car Blunderbust Race – In a gritty, hard fought race, Bill Wegmann Jr., in the #76 car, started on the pole, he lead the race for 11 laps until a questionable accident going into turn 1, lap 12 between Wegmann Jr. and James White Jr., in the #32 car, caused Wegmann to hit the wall, and end his race day. There were a few cautions, as well as accident between Bill Wegmann Sr., in the #79 car and Tommy “WildChild” Walkowiak in the #00 car, in turn 4. The NASCAR officials then let the drivers know that one more caution would be the end of the race. As quick as you could say “The hot dog is how much” the race was called due to time limits. The winner would be James White Jr., in the #32 car, who would receive his trophy to a resounding chorus of boo’s from the crowd. This would be his second win of 2013.

Third Race, 20 Lap, 28 Car Legends Race – This was the Jos. M. Troffa & Sons Landscape and Mason Supply Legends race. Vinny Delaney, in the #17 car, started on the pole, would leap out front at the throw of the green. In hot pursuit was Paul Dodorico, in the #55 car, a close second, and Kevin Nowak, in the #53 car in third. By lap 3, Nowak would go under Dodorico, and grab second, and an ever so smooth Timmy “The Natural” Solomito, in the #48 car would grab third. By Lap 16, Solomito would pass Nowak for second, and be in hot pursuit of Delaney. Lap 18 would prove to be a mess, as Nowak hits the wall in turn 2, causing a jam of cars trying to get out of each others way. In the scrum, Kyle Elwood, in the #71x car would collide with his team mate Jeffery Goodale, in the #46 car, sending Goodale into the wall hard, and bringing out the red flag. A single file restart would have the officials throw the Green – White – Checker flags out to end the race. The winner was Vinny Delaney, who would record his first ever win in the Legends division. Congrats Vinny !!

Fourth Race, 20 Lap, 11 Car Chargers Race – In the Talmadge Farm – Agway night, this race would be a battle from the get go. Starting out on the pole, Jim Baker, in the #07 car would hold the lead for the first half of the race, followed by Cory Midgett, in the #14 car, and Eric Zeh, in the #34 car who snuck up from 7th position. By lap 11, Midgett would grab first place, with Zeh a tight second. On a slick move in lap 13, Zeh would duck under Midgett, and grab the lead for good, followed by a determined Chad Churilla, in the #20 car, a close second. Zeh would grab the checkers, and the points lead in the Charger division. It would also be his third victory this season. Great Job Eric !!

Fifth Race, 35 Lap, 11 Car Modified Race – In a uneventful outing, this race would prove to end well for the “Fancy Farmer” Dave Brigati, in the #36 car. He would vault out to the lead at the throw of the green, with John Beatty Jr., in the #11 car second. By lap 13, Timmy “The Natural” Solomito, in the #15 car would grab second from Beatty. With ten lap remaining, Dave “Sap” Sapienza, in the #5 car, passes Solomito for second. Brigati would hold off the hard charging Sapienza for the victory. This was his first victory of 2013. In a side note, Brigati was asked by Sapienza earlier in the day if he would like to drive his old car, Brigati answered yes, due to the fact his car was in pieces, and in no shape to run. Good move Dave, and nice racing!!

8 Cylinder Demolition Derby – The small field of 6 cars would put on a great show, as they crashed and smashed each other to oblivion to the delight of the many children and adults on hand. In the end, the National Demolition Derby Champion, Jason Savoy, in the “Misery Machine” would lay claim to the victory. Nice Job Jason!

School Bus Demolition Derby – Now that the crowd was completely amped up from the prior demo derby, the kids were even hungrier for the school buses. You could feel the anticipation as they made their way onto the track. The kids were screaming for blood (felt like I was watching Gladiator) as the buses did not disappoint. The trashed and smashed each other, with the fan favorite “Cheesebox” sputtering all the way to victory. The driver of “Cheesebox”, Michael Rommeney would grab the victory in this hard fought battle. Nice job Mike !!

Well folks, that about wraps it up for another night of racing here at Riverhead Raceway. I’m gonna go home and tear up my bus pass, rinse off the smell of Prestone from my hair, and pick the rubber from my teeth.

Big hello to Wendy at the VIP booth, Joseph M. Troffa Landscape and Mason supply, Talmadge Farms @ Agway. Cub Scout and Boy Scout Packs, 80 & 220 from Holtsville, love the baconater ninja patch !! Track services, always busy doing a great job, Brigandi Brothers, all our service Men & Woman who keep this great country safe. God Bless. Until our paths cross, I will see you next time…

“AT THE RACES”

Be Well,
George

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella
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To order prints, please contact the photographer directly. Click here to send him an email. faella59@gmail.com

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