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Photo Michael Jaworecki/Myracenews
Summer officially kicks off Saturday night June 25th at Riverhead Raceway as the stars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour roll to Riverhead Raceway for the Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200, the second of three WMT events at the demanding quarter mile facility. Doug Coby of Milford, Ct. won the first event back on May 14th, kicking off a hot streak for Tommy Baldwin Racing that was just broken by Justin Bonsignore at Monadnock Speedway.
While the entry list for the Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 will not be available until early in the week, Tommy Baldwin Racing confirmed Saturday morning they will field two cars for the 200 as they did at Monadnock Speedway. Doug Coby will be in the famed 7NY while “Showtime” Jimmy Blewett of Howell, NJ steers the #1. Having to wait until his 20th career start at Riverhead before he could capture his first victory Coby has pretty much dominated recently on Long Island winning three of the last four 200-lappers. Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, NY won the Miller Lite 200 last September in a race that was a DNF for Coby after a crash.
Heading into Monadnock, Ron Silk of Norwalk, Ct had a slim three-point lead over Tommy Catalano of Ontario, NY, four points over third place Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, Ma. and five better over fourth place Eric Goodale of Riverhead. Silk, who has won twice in the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series at Riverhead, is still seeking his first WMT victory with the Buzz Chew Chevrolet to be his 21st start. Goodale authored his first career WMT win in his hometown back in June of 2014 while Catalano and McKennedy will be after their first win Saturday.
Defending NASCAR WMT champion Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville will be gunning for his first win at his old stomping grounds since 2019. Austin Beers of Northampton, Pa, Kyle Bonsignore of Bay Shore, Craig Lutz of Miller Place, Dave Sapienza of Riverhead and JB Fortin of Holtsville sat among the top 10 in the championship chase heading to Monadnock and will all pose a threat in the Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200. Timmy Solomito of Islip won the Mayhew Tools Pole Award back in May and is also expected to enter the event in search of his 21st career win at Riverhead.
A new generation of talented local racers had great runs in May led by 4th place Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills who’d love to be the first Riverhead regular since Eddie Brunnhoelzl Jr. (6/24/95) to win a WMT event. John Baker of Brookhaven finished an impressive 6th followed by defending track champion Kyle Soper of Manorville in 7th and John Beatty Jr. of Merrick was 8th. Chris Young of Calverton was just outside the top ten with an 11th. John Fortin Sr., Roger Turbush of Riverhead, JR Bertuccio of Centereach, Chris Turbush of Wading River and Matt Brode all ran the Miller Lite 200 in May and are expected to enter Saturday.
Complementing the Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 Saturday are the Crate Modifieds, Blunderbusts, INEX Legend Race Cars and Street Stocks. WMT final practice will run from 3:00-4:00 pm, WMT qualifying set for 6:00 pm with the 200 set to start at 8:00 pm with the race available on the Flo Racing platform. Spectator gates open at 3:00 pm.
Campers are welcome free of charge at Riverhead Raceway with no hook-ups. The camping area is limited to the back parking lot, picking up where the fence for the pit area is located. For further information please visit www.riverheadraceway.com, e-mails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com and the phone number is 631-842-RACE.
