At the races: July 7

Hi All, and welcome to another edition of …… AT THE RACES…

It was hot and steamy, with the chance of rain on the horizon, a full evening of races would await those who paid admission, as well as a fireworks display on this, The Miller Lite Night at Riverhead Raceway.

The first race, a 23-car, 20-lap Blunderbust feature, that would mark the return of Jimmy “The Kid” White Jr., who almost four years ago, almost to the day, was burned in a demolition derby accident at this very same track. Jessica Cohan in the #8 car lead the field from the green for the first three laps, as Bryan Quilliam in the #84 car, and Rob Bader in the # 19 car challenging for the lead. By the 4th lap, Bader would have the lead. Cohan’s night came to an end when she hit the wall on turn 4. On the restart, White in the #32 car would move into second behind Bader, who was have car problems of his own. With another restart coming two laps later, White would suddenly be vaulted into first, with the ever hungry Tommy “WildChild” Walkowiak in the #00 car and Tom Pickerell in he #4 car a respective second and third on his tail. This trio ran the second half of the race in this order, with Pickerell trying to get second from Walkowiak, and the “WildChild” trying for first against White. Despite the constant threats by Walkowiak, Jimmy “The Kid” White Jr. in the Busy Bee Pest Control car would get his first victory, and complete a gallant comeback.

The second race, a 27-car, 20-Lap Legends race, would put the battle of driving skills between old and young. Paul Dondirico in the #55 car quickly grabbed the lead, with Brandon Bock in the #33 car a close second. Over the next 14 laps, it would be a high speed game of cat and mouse between Bock and Dondirico for the lead, with Bock looking to the outside, and Dondirico shutting the door on his every attempt, Bock would finally succeed in the 14th lap, as a single file restart would give Bock the go ahead opportunity. Bock would power his way past Dondorico and take first place for the remaining five laps, grabbing the checkered square, and his second win of the season.

The third race, a 12-car, 20-Lap Chargers race would prove to be battle from the get go. C.J. Lehmann in the #1 car, and Cory Midgett in the #14 car would exchange the lead several times, but by lap 6 with Midgett in the lead, Lehmann would make contact with Chris Turbush in the #81 car just under the starters stand, sending him crashing into the wall, in a shower of sparks in turn 2. On the restart, Midgett would now have a new challenger, Eric Zeh in the #34 car. On lap 14 , Zeh would make a inside pass on turn 4 and take the lead. Over the final five laps, Midgett stayed glued to Zeh’s bumper, but in the end, Eric Zeh, a second generation driver, would grab the checkered flag in his Finishline Container Chevy, his first career win.

The fourth race, a 10-car, 15-Lap Figure Eight race would once again prove to be an epic showdown. Arne Pedersen in the #34 car jumped out to an early lead with Ken Hyde Jr. in the #85 car a close second. A few laps later, the party got bigger as Roger Maynor in the #28 car and Mike Mujsce in the #13 joined in. Things got hotter after that as Mujsce and Hyde in a heated duel, Maynor slid under the two drivers, forcing Hyde into Mujsce and bringing out a yellow flag. On the restart, it was Maynor and Pedersen going toe to toe for the lead, with 2 laps remaining, Maynor would make his move, and propel his Barrasso and Sons Mason Supplies Ford to victory. It would be his 106th career victory.

The fifth race, a 25-car, 50-Lap Cromarty Cuo Race on Miller Lite race night. Earlier in the day, during time trials, Ron Silk in the #6 car broke a 12-year-old track qualifying record set by Chuck Steuer, as he tripped the clock at 11.529.
As the race went green, Justin Bonsignore in the #51 car, grabbed the lead, with Shawn Solomito in the #66 car second, and younger brother Timmy Solomito in the #99 car third. The race came to an abrupt slowdown when points leader Howie Brode in the #96 car hit the wall on turn 2, damaging his front end, and putting an early end to his day. While Bonsignore kept the lead, a tight battle for second and third between the Solomito brothers would ensue. But as the lighting struck and the thunder boomed, Bonsignore would take his M3 Technologies Chevy past the finish line, ahead of Shawn Solomito and Ryan Preece in the #20 car to grab the Cromarty Cup 50 NASCAR Modified victory Trophy.

The sixth race, a 4-Cylinder Enduro Demolition Derby, Andrew Fowler took the trophy in his Timmy’s Towing Machine car.

Well that about concludes Saturday evening’s events. A big “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to raceway owner Jim Cromarty on his 80th birthday. Hello to Wendy at the VIP window, another great job by the guys with Track Services… Thanks to Miss Polish Town Queen 2012 Marta Czaplak for gracing the track with her presence… to my wife JoAnn, her race notes are like reading the elder scrolls, but they are a big help. I’m going to cool off, wash the grime from my face, drain my ear protection, and call it a night. Be well race fans, make sure and “like” me on your Facebook pages, and I will see you next time………..

AT THE RACES !!!

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella.
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