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Riverhead, NY Nov. 8th
By Bob Finan
The final race for the 2021 Crown Jewel Series at Riverhead Raceway will unfold Saturday afternoon during the 5th annual Islip 300 Tour Type Modified extravaganza. After the race winner basks in post race ceremonies, attention will turn to presenting the 2021 Crown Jewel Series Modified champion with the Ted Christopher Cup. The 2021 Crown Jewel Series was to be a four race series, however the first scheduled even a 71-lap event was rained out July 3rd and not rescheduled.
Heading into Saturday’s Islip 300 Kyle Soper of Manorville is a perfect two for two in the Crown Jewel Series having won the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 on August 7th as well The Bubba 100 four weeks later on August 28th coming from dead last for the victory. By virtue of his two wins plus with Kyle being quick qualifier for both events, Soper has earned the optimum amount of 110 points heading into the Islip 300 Saturday. Recently track management announced the 300 would carry double Crown Jewel Series points making up for the loss of the July 3rd 71-lapper. Qualifying points will also be doubled with fast time worth 10-points, eight for second, six for third, four for fourth with the remainder receiving two points.. The track concluded their Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series championship September 25th with Kyle Soper earning his third title in four years.
NASCAR WMT talent JB Fortin of Holtsville sits 26-point behind Soper in the Crown Jewel Series entering the Islip 300. Fortin, who peddled his way to a June 5th Riverhead Raceway victory was 9th in the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 before finishing second to Kyle in The Bubba 100. To wrestle the Ted Christopher Cup away from Kyle Soper and the Wayne Anderson owned team would indeed be a feather in JB Fortin’s cap. Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead who is third in the Crown Jewel Series ranking, 27 back of Soper is not eligible to compete to to suspension stemming from the final event of 2021 in September.
Like Fortin, another rising young tour Type Modified talent and second generation driver Chris Young of Calverton is in the mix for the Ted Christopher Cup at the Islip 300. Young is just 28 markers back of Soper heading into Saturday. Three time 2021 winner John Baker of Brookhaven hopes to continue what has been a career year by coming from 31 points back to win the Crown Jewel Series during the Islip 300 Saturday.
No matter which driver comes out on top, the prestigious Ted Christopher Cup awaits the 2021 Crown Jewel Series champion. With Michael Christopher Jr. on hand racing the TBR Racing entry he along with his father Mike if available will be invited to present the Ted Christopher Cup to the 2021 champion.
Crown Jewel Series standings after 2 of 3 races: 1. Kyle Soper 2. JB Fortin (-26) 3. Tom Rogers Jr. (-27) 4. Chris Young (-28) 5. John Baker (-31) 6. Shawn Solomito (-36) 7. Kyle Ellwood (-39) 8. Dylan Slepian (-40) 9. CJ Lehmann (-52) 10. Roger Turbush (-54) 11. Michael Rutkoski (-58) 12. Chris Turbush (-60) 13. Jon McKennedy (-61) 14. John Fortin (-65) 15. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III, Artie Pedersen III & Eric Zeh (-66) 18.Craig Lutz (-69) 19. John Beatty Jr. (-70) 20. JR Bertuccio (-71) 21. Matt Brode (-72) 22. Jack Handley Jr. (-93) 23. Dave Brigati (-95) 24. Jarrod Hayes (-97)
Joining the Islip 300 Saturday are the Eagle Auto Mall Crate Modifieds who’ll race a 50-lap event with a 40-lap INEX Legend Race Car event also on the card. pits will open at 8:00 am, half hour practices will be run for the INEX Legend Race Cars, 10:00 am-10:30 am and the Crate Mods, 10:30 am-11:00 am. Spectator gates open at 11:00 am when a one hour Tour Type Modified practice will hit the track simultaneously.
Adult admission is $35, kids 6-12 are $15 with 5 & under free. In the event of inclement weather Saturday the Islip 300 program would be presented Sunday November 14th. If the entire weekend is lost the Islip 300 then moves to Saturday November 20th.
Further details including race procedure and rules, race day agenda and Islip 300 entry list are available at www.riverheadraceway.com. E-mails reach us at riverheadraceway1@gmail.com, our phone number is 631-842-RACE.
