At the races: May 19, 2012

A fine how do you do to all the racing fans that made it to Riverhead Raceway this past Saturday night, a clear, crisp night for racing. There were five races on tap for the evening, including the Richie Evans NASCAR Hall of Fame 100. So let’s see how it all went down…..

First race was a 20 lap Blunderbust feature with 22 cars on the track. It was a quick and quiet race that had Joe Seeger in the #33 car out front for the first 5 laps before being overtaken by Rob Bader in the #19 car. Bader’s #19 dominated the race, but in lap 8 had some competition from Bill Wegmann Sr. in the #79 car. This was the way it stood until NASCAR officials determined that Bader’s #19 car passed under the the yellow line, causing him to lose the lead and be moved back 2 spots. In the end, “The Racing Grandfather” Bill Wegmann Sr. was declared the winner in the #79 Cracker Jack car.

Second Race was the 20 lap Legends race, with 27 cars on the track in the main event. In a semi-accident filled race, Tom McCormick in the #27 car hit the wall in turn 1. Chris Rogers in the #00 car held an early lead over Chris Young in the #49 car. In the back stretch, a spin out by Chris Young #49, after being hit by Dylan Selpian #63 enabled Kevin Nowack to gain second, all this with not a yellow flag in sight. In the end, the defending champion Chris Young in the #49 “Ray the Plumber” car was victorious.

In the third race, a 20 lap, 12 car Figure Eight event. An early accident involving Tim Mulqueen in the #77 car and George Brown in the #43 car in turn #4 caused a restart. In the #58 car, Ken Hyde Jr. vaulted to the lead, with Tom Ferrara in the #14 car giving chase throughout. In the end, Ken Hyde Jr. in the #58 car would be the undisputed winner, and first member of his family to win the 2012 Cromarty Cup. 

In the fourth race, it was the “Richie Evans NASCAR Hall of Fame 100” modified, 26 car race. In the #66 car, Shawn Solomito broke out to an early lead, with John Fortin Jr. in the #48 car in second. It was a caution free race until lap 28, when Fortin in the #48 car got caught up in lap traffic, enabling Ron Silk in the #6 car to catch him to take over second place. On lap 30, Silk in #6 would make an outside move and pass Solomito in the #66 car for the lead. In turn 2, Chris McGuire in the #89X blew a front tire sending a shower of sparks, and drawing a yellow caution. With Ron Silk in the #6 now in the lead, Solomito in the #66 second, there was a spin out in lap 87, turn 4 causing Jerry Solomito Jr. in the #59 car to skid to the infield. In lap 92, John Beatty Jr. in the #14 car was bumped by car #15, sending him to the infield, spraying grass and dirt everywhere. But as the Checkered flag was waved, Ron Silk in the #6 would be the winner of the “Richie Evans NASCAR Hall of Fame 100”, his second win.

In the finale, the 75 lap, 8 cylinder Enduros event, Dege Russell of Rocky Point finished first with Dominic Ranieri of E. Northport second, and Anthony Pizzo of Lake Ronkonkoma third.

Well folks, I hope you enjoy the story and the photo’s from this week’s event here at Riverhead Raceway. I’m gonna clean the rubber from my shoes, the dust from my teeth, and put some high test in the tank.

Support RiverheadLocal.com, a big thanks to Riverhead Raceway, great venue, good folks. A shout out to the Track Services guys, always a great job cleaning up everyone else’s mess, like the babysitter you always loved, but never had. Till we meet again…..I will see you…

AT THE RACES !!

Be Well,

George

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella. 

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