At the races: July 14

Hi Race Fans, and welcome to another edition of “AT THE RACES”. This Saturday evening brought us some hot races and some cool breezes, but as always, some great racing.

First Race, a 18-Car, 20 Lap Blunderbust event, brought out another first-time winner. The lights winked green on the field, as “Turbo” Tom Sullivan, in the #7 car, jumped out to lead the pack. He was trailed by Justin Wahl in the #61 car, followed by last weeks winner Jimmy “The Kid” White in the #32 car in third. It was a tight race with Wahl giving Sullivan a wake-up call on every turn. But by lap 16, Justin Wahl would make the move, and slide inside Sullivan for the lead. Tom Pickerell, in the #4 car would make some daring last minute moves to capture second place, as Justin Wahl, in the R&B Quality Electric car grabbed the checkered square for a first-time victory. Pickerell would become the points leader with his second place finish.

Second Race, a 26-Car, 20-Lap Legends Race, highlighted a long-awaited match-up of two young, talented drivers. As the lights flashed green, Kyle Elwood, in the #71X car, made a move on pole sitter Jimmy Sylvester, in the #2 car, and grabbed first while Chris Young in the #49 car, also overtook Sylvester, grabbed second, moving Sylvester to third.

From this point on it would be game on, as Young and Elwood battled throughout the race. The turns would provide a chance for Young to try and slip inside on Elwood, but to no avail as Elwood would close the door on his attempts. While this drama was in full swing, Brandon Bock, in the #33 car, quietly slipped from 11th place to 3rd, waiting for the chance to make his move to first, in case the two combatants should make contact. But in the end, Kyle Elwood, in the Riverhead Building Supply car, grabbed the checkers and gained his 4th victory of the season, as well as a comfortable points lead.

Third Race, a 12-Car, 25-Lap Late Model event, had more moves than a championship chess match. Dennis Krupski, in the #12 car held the lead for the first three laps, but on lap 4, Chris LaSpisa in the #7 car, made the inside pass on Krupski, and took the lead. Krupski had second for a lap, but was passed again by Kevin Metzger in the #23 car, who, over the next 11 laps, set his sights on catching race leader Chris LaSpisa. But that too would change. On lap 17, Peter “Buzzy” Ericksen in the #68 car, overtook Krupski, and then set his sights on race leader LaSpisa. The final three laps would have Ericksen using all his Jedi powers to try and make the last move on LaSpisa, but to no avail. In the end it was Chris LaSpisa in the McBetts Racing Engines Chevy who would claim his 5th career victory by holding off one of the all-time leading winners, Peter “Buzzy” Eriksen.

Fourth Race, a 14-Car, 35-Lap NASCAR Modified feature, would highlight the driving of this year’s top five on the points list, as well as veteran drivers looking to advance. At the throw of the green, Jason Agugliaro, in the #69 car took the lead, with Timmy Solomito in the #99 car, and Tom Rogers Jr. in the #0 car, both battling for second. There was contact between T. Solomito and Rogers, in lap 2, turns 3 & 4, which brought a double-file restart. Tom Rogers would use the outside position in the restart to overtake Agugliaro for the lead. A second restart would then shine some light on Ted Christopher, in the #15 car, enabling Christopher to move under Agugliaro and into second, once again, behind Rogers. This race would prove different for Christopher, as in previous weeks, he would never be able to catch the speedy Rogers. In the end, Tom Rogers Jr. in the Relay Communication Chevy would grab the checkered square. It was his 17th career victory, but more importantly, brought him within eight points of leader Howie Brode in the 2012 standings.

Fifth Race, a 50-Lap, 4/6 cylinder Enduro race. Let’s be frank, you know what they say about pit bulls…… Steve “Pit Bull” Trimboli dominated the race as he lapped the entire field on his way to victory in the Pit Bull Motors Mercedes Benz. Hmm… a tough dog with class.

Well race fans, that’s all she wrote for tonight. It was a grand evening of racing, a big hello to Wendy at the VIP Booth, another great job by Brigandi Brothers towing, great job by track services, hello to the race officials, and how-do-you-do the Turn One Cowboys… Gonna scrape the rubber from my shoes, fix the hat, splash on a little window-washer fluid, and call it a night. Be well, be safe, and keep our soldiers in your prayers. Hope you enjoy the story and the shots. Until next time, I will see you……….

AT THE RACES

Be Well,
George

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella.
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