Riverhead Raceway action: June 9 recap

Welcome back race fans, its time for another round of race action from Riverhead Raceway. This evening is the Lewins Medical Supplies night. 

First race is the 11 car, 20 lap Chargers race, the feature event, sponsored by Lewins Medical Supply. It was quiet race, with the points leader C.J. Lehmann, in the 01 car pulling out of the race by lap 5 with engine problems, Ray Minieri in the 43 car caused a caution in lap 12 due to a flat tire. Chris Turbush, in the 81 car, moved from fourth position to first by lap 3, a sure piece of grand driving. Mr. Turbush went on to win the race, his fourth of the year.

Second race, a 20 lap Legends race, with 27 cars, and plenty of accidents. On lap 2, Chris Young in the 49 car, and Kevin Nowack in the 53 car came together and both hit the wall, sending Young airborne into a flip, landing on his roof. The race was red flagged, both drivers would be okay, with Young returning to finish 6th. The race would start with the 27 car driven by Tom Sherman quickly zooming out to first with Kyle Elwood 71 & Brandon Bock 33 a close second and third. By lap 8 Brandon Bock would pass Kyle Elwood and begin his assault on the first place Tom Sherman. By lap 15, Brandon Bock, in the 33 car would take the lead and through the last five laps, down to the white flag, these two would wage a classic side by side battle, but in the end, and by a nose, Brandon Bock in 33 would claim victory, his first of the year. His feat was witnessed by his dad, former Modified racer George Bock, who flew 13 hours from China to cheer in the victory.

Third race, a Late Models, 10 car, 25 lap event. In a quiet, uneventful race Chris LaSpisa in the 7 car started third, but by lap 2 managed to take over first from Dennis Krupski and held on to the lead. Roger Oxee in the 39 car moved from the 6th position to 2nd position with some veteran, nifty moves and occasionally give LaSpisa a run for his money. In the end, Chris LaSpisa in the 7 unsponsored car, would get his 6th all time victory.

Fourth race, a 35 lap NASCAR Modified feature, 23 car field. The race was also filled with accidents, many NASCAR official rulings, that would prove daunting for the drivers in this race. Within the first few laps, Shawn Solomito in the 66 car, hit the wall in turn 4, doing major damage to his car, but he was unhurt. His day would be over, but the race must go on. Caution flag in lap 10, with the 09 car driven by Brad Van Houten as the culprit. Ryan Preece in the 20 car and Ted Christopher in the 15 car would wage a small war for first place bragging rights throughout, until lap 15 when the NASCAR officials determined that there would by a need for single file restarts due to the amount of spinouts and accidents. A big time t-bone crash between Rob McCormick in the 19 car and Timmy Solomito in the 99 car would grind both to a halt, which would bring up the final caution of the race. In the end, Ryan Preece in the JAD Chevy Carpet Showcase car, would grab the checkered flag for the win. A great race, driven by great drivers.

Fifth Race, the Grand Enduro, 50 lap race was won by Greg Zaleski, in the Gallo Used Auto Parts car.

There was also a little go karting done by some very young, daring drivers, who showed as much intensity as their adult counterparts. My hat’s off to these little race drivers for showing some moxie in getting those karts up to 40-60 mph. The only time I went that fast at that age was when I told my parents I needed to use the bathroom and we were still 3 exits away from home. Be Safe guys…

As always, a pleasure reporting the races for you guys, my thumbs up to Brigandi Brothers once again, as well as the Track Services guys….Great job, Great Guys. I gotta check the head gasket, degunk the pistons, and fill’er up with ethel !!  Till next time, I’ll see you………..

AT THE RACES

Be Well,

George

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella
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