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Riverhead, NY Sept. 29th
By Bob Finan
The 2021 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship trophy had barely found it’s place in the trophy case at Ken Massa Motorsports on Sunday when the team indicated they’d like to add another piece of hardware to the display. The Islip 300 winners trophy and the $7,000 that goes along with it. Team owner Ken Massa in a Sunday phone conversation with Tom Gatz of Riverhead Raceway confirmed 2021 NASCAR WMT champion Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville will compete in the Islip 300 Saturday November 13th.
The 2021 NASCAR WMT title, the second consecutive for the Phoenix Communications team earned them their third WMT title over the past four seasons. Making that accomplishment even sweeter for their 33-year old driver Justin Bonsignore came when he finally pulled into victory lane at Stafford Motor Speedway. Entering the NAPA Auto Parts 150 at the famed half mile, Justin was saddled with an 0 for 40 streak entering the WMT finale, one he gladly snapped in championship clinching fashion Saturday evening.
Fast forward to the 2021 Islip 300 November 13th where Justin Bonsignore and his Ryan Stone led team hope to improve upon their third place showing last fall in the $32,500 Tour Type Modified extravaganza. Aside from the business end of a 300 victory, there would be an emotional side as well for Justin. Ever since Eddie & Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz took over Riverhead Raceway, Bonsignore and Eddie Partridge always had friendly side bet. If Eddie’s WMT team outdid Justin’s then he’d buy the post race ice cream or visa versa. Bonsignore would love nothing more then to buy some post 300 ice cream for the Partridge owned team who will compete in the Islip 300 with defending race winner Ryan Preece.
Justin Bonsignore is beyond a proven winner at Riverhead, the track where it all began for him as a youth in the Eastern Kart Racing Association. Among his 31 career WMT wins, eight have been produced at the demanding quarter mile, including an impressive four race win streak from July 2018 through September 2019. Throw in Justin’s seven Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series triumphs and 2011 NASCAR Modified championship you can see clearly why Bonsignore will be ranked among the favorites for the win in the Islip 300.
Joining the Islip 300 November 13th are the Eagle Auto Mall Crate Modifieds (50-laps) and INEX Legend Race Cars (40-laps). The 2021 Riverhead Raceway Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series track champions will be honored during opening ceremonies prior to the 300.
A event day schedule and further details will be released in the weeks to come at www.riverheadraceway.com, e-mails reach us at riverheadraceway1@gmail.com.
