At the races: June 1, a hot night

Here is the recap of last night’s races:

After a week off, due to Mother Nature sending us some more rain, the track was dry and ready to go for a full night of racing here in Riverhead.

First race: a 30-lap, Super Pro Truck race with 12 trucks. In lap 8, truck #19, driven by Bob Bader Jr. spins out and 37, driven by Mark Stewart, made friends with the wall. Lou Maestri, driving the #1 truck, started 2nd and took over the lead after lap 8, and made it his home. He fought off the brother and sister team of the Dumichich family, and held on for the victory. This was his 2nd win in 3 weeks, and his 26th of his career.

Second race: a 20-lap, 20-car Blunderbust race. This was a snoozer from the get-go, with all involved taking turns making a run for the roses. Brandon Hubbard, in the #58 car losing the lead in the 10th lap, to Jimmy “The Kid” White Jr., in the #32 car, grabs the lead and runs with it right into victory lane. This was his first win of 2013.

Third race: a 20-lap, 27-car Legends race. At the wink of the green, George Baker in the #96 car, hits the wall in the back stretch. In lap 4, car #17, driven by Vinny Delany, hits the wall, in turn 2, causing car #01, driven by Brian Kelly, to spin out to avoid the crash. There was a few accidents in the upcoming laps, with car #0, driven by Steve Smith, clipping the wall, causing him to lose a rear fender, and car #’s 52, 01, 11 to meet in turn 4 for a get together. Kyle Elwood, in the #71x car, who started in the 3rd position, vaulted to the front of the pack, and held on for the victory and the checkered square. This was his 2nd victory in a row, and his 2nd win of 2013.

Fourth race: a 25-lap, 12-car, Late Model race. This was the quickest of the races this evening, car #88, driven by Shawn Patrick, started out front form lap 1, and never looked back, or took his foot from the gas pedal. He quickly made his way out front, decided this was his race, and took it all the way to victory lane. Good Job!

Fifth race: a twin 30-lap, 22-car Modified race. The race started out smooth, but that didn’t last long, in this accident-filled twin bill. By lap 5, a six car pileup in turn 1 and 2 caused the field to slow down, with many cars heading to the pits for repairs. Through it all, Howie Brode, in the #96 car, maintained the lead. It was not until the restart, did car #15, driven by Tim Solomito, jump out into the lead. He maintains the lead to win the first 30 of this twin bill.

Second half of the twin 30-lap race proved to be a real barn burner, as tempers flared between drivers, battles for position erupted, and all-out racing took charge.

Tim Solomito, in car #15, took the lead, with Howie Brode, in the #96 hot on his heels. In lap 36, an accident involving John Fortin in the #84 car caused a caution, which slowed the race. By lap 48, John Fortin was again involved in an accident, this time with car #69, driven by Jason Agugliaro. They came together for a heck of a mash. Agugliaro was upset with Fortin, so he decided to try and drive his car over Fortin’s car. With tires smoking, and the full 600 HP screaming, he gave it his best shot. In the end, Agugliaro had to be restrained by track personel. Track services and Brigandi Brothers Towing cleaned up the mess. Oh yeah, back to the race. By the time lap 60 rolled around, Tim Solomito, driving the #15 car, once again grabbed the checkered square, for the sweep of the twin 30-lap race. Great job of racing on Mr. Solomito’s part.

Well, race fans, another great night of racing. Track services: another outstanding job. Brigandi Brothers towing: great job clearing the accidents. Wendy at the VIP window, always gracious. Track officials, sorted through the chaos and did a fantastic job. Turn one Cowboys, always entertaining, and a shout out to Kevin Bacik, Need for Speed Video, anyone looking for good race video, call Kevin.

Well motor heads, time to take a rinse, gap the plugs, and lube the crank case. Until next week, I will see you…

AT THE RACES !!

Be Well,
George

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RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella
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