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Riverhead, NY May 17th
By Bob Finan
When NASCAR released the official Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 entry list for the WMT event Saturday at Riverhead Raceway it totaled 30 race teams. Exactly one-third of the entrants are Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series teams who call demanding quarter mile bullring home on Saturday nights. The Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 will be the 71st start for the WMT since 1985 at Riverhead, local drivers have always pitted themselves against the touring drivers from race one.
2022 NASCAR Modified championship runner-up Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills has found recent success competing against the WMT regulars posting several top ten finishes over the past two seasons. Slepian and his Eastport Feeds team are hoping for more of the same, or better Saturday. John Beatty Jr. of Merrick and his MSM Elite Motorsports Team will forever be linked with one of the most memorable WMT finishes in 2019 when he and Justin Bonsignore bounced off each other coming to the checkers with Bonsignore taking the thrilling win.
While most of his racing exploits over the past decade have been with the WMT, over the past few seasons Timmy Solomito of Islip has raced closer to home with his family car. Solomito won the Riverhead opener two weeks ago in his Natural Design & Concepts Apparel Chevy with his car wrapped in tribute to Wayne Anderson. It as Timmy’s 21st career win at the track, 3 of which are WMT triumphs. Another driver sticking closer to home so far in 2023 is former champion and 28-time Riverhead winner JR Bertuccio of Centereach with his Gershow Recycling team.
Jack Handley Jr. of Medford won the most recent Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series event Saturday, he and his Hydro Action team come to the 200 on a roll. Always ready for a good battle is second generation driver Chris Young of Calverton who has entered his CPC Pharmacal LFR. Matt Brode of East Islip came within five laps of scoring his first NASCAR Modified win Saturday and the driver of the Freightliner of Long Island Chevy will make his 4th Riverhead WMT start in the 200.
Eddie Brunnhoelzl III of Levittown as he has over the past two seasons will team with WMT veteran Gary McDonald of Ronkonkoma to drive one of two Lakeland Landscape Supplies machines Saturday, while Gary drivers the other.
After having his LFR clipped by Ed Flemke Jr. Chris Turbush of Wading River is burning the midnight oil to get his Mike Smith backed mount out for the 200 where he will be joined by brother Roger of Riverhead in his Rheem Air Conditioning Chevy. Roger scored a career best WMT finish in the Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 in September of 2021 with a third.
Joining the Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 Saturday are the Blunderbusts, INEX Legend Race Cars, Street Stocks and Eddie Partridge Vintage All-Stars. Spectator gates open at 3:00 pm, WMT final practice runs 3:15-4:15 pm, qualifying is scheduled for 6:00 pm. The Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 is set for a 8:00 pm start and can be viewed on Flo Racing. Adult general admission is $40, kids 6-12 are $20 with 5 & under free. The complete race day itinerary is available at www.riverheadraceway.com.
