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Riverhead, NY May 29th
By Bob Finan
Photo Michael Jaworecki/Myracenews
Dennis Freese of Oval Speed Unlimited announced Tuesday a bonus money program for the 5th annual Bubba 150 June 8th at Riverhead Raceway that is nearing $15,000. The NASCAR Tour Type Modified event is held annually in memory of Bob “Bubba” Patanjo, longtime team member for four-time NASCAR Modified champion Bill Park who passed suddenly in the fall of 2019. The family of Bob “Bubba” Patanjo have announced a $5,000 bonus for the race winner.
Since 2020 Dennis Freese, in concert with the Patanjo family have spearheaded the effort behind the Bubba 150, the race growing in stature year after year. The popularity of the race among sponsors and race teams should come as no surprise to anyone who knew Bubba, a fun-loving spirit who was popular within the entire pit area. After Bill Park retired from racing, Patanjo took his lawn chair and held court at the back of the Oval Speed Unlimited parts truck, his ever-present cigar in hand. If you were fortunate enough, you were issued a nickname from the man himself. Former Riverhead champ Dan Jivanelli was dubbed “Hoss” by Patanjo.
“Really happy the race continues to grow to the level it has” Dennis Freese said while making the first Bubba 150 bonus money announcement. “it all starts with the commitment from the Patanjo family from day one. Now they are offering a $5,000 to the race winner, looking back when Tom Rogers Jr. won the inaugural race in 2020, he won just north of $5,000 total, a testament of how the 150 has evolved” the popular parts supplier added.
Returning for the 2024 Bubba 150 is the HighMark Building Efficiency Challenge, a bonus program that works on a sliding scale. If the pole winner from qualifying accepts the challenge and drops to the rear of the Bubba 150 starting grid and wins, an extra $5,000 will be awarded by Rich Gerbe of HighMark Building Efficiency. If the pole sitter declines the option, it becomes available to the second quickest in time, if they were to win the bonus becomes $2,500. If the top two from qualifying decline, the option is available to third fastest in Q, if that driver wins the bonus is $1,500. If the pole sitter accepts the HighMark Building Efficiency Challenge and finishes either second or third, $1,500 in bonus money will be awarded. A $500 bonus is available to the second or third quickest in time if they accept the challenge and finish on the podium.
Additionally, HighMark Building Efficiency has announced the Furthest Traveled Award of $500 for the team logging the most miles to compete in the Bubba 150.
Adam Wheeler of Righteous Window Cleaning will award the $200 Pole Sitter award while Timmy Solomito of Natural Designs Co. is posting a $250 Laps Led bonus. Ryan Preece Racing is offering multiple bonuses, $200 to the Halfway Leader and $200 for the Fastest Lap. Preece has also added $50 for the leader of laps 40 & 41. Steve Park has announced a $200 Hard Charger bonus for the race, Steve and Bubba loved to share a good cigar along the way. Former INEX Legend Race Car and Charger competitor Ralph Beaver is adding a $200 Hard Luck award, Beaver remains active in racing as the truck driver for the WMT team of Russell Goodale and driver Craig Lutz.
Freese also indicated he has secured $3,000 in lap money for the Bubba 150 from a multitude of sponsors.
Timmy Solomito of Islip is the defending race winner of the Bubba 150, pocketing $6,326 for the triumph. Chris Young of Calverton finished runner-up, this after accepting the 2023 HighMark Building Efficiency Challenge and dropping to the rear. Young wowed the crowd with his charge, impressing Gerbe of HighMark so much he raised the bonus for second from $500 to $1,500. Kyle Ellwood of Riverhead was third.
Previous winners of the Bubba 150 aside from Solomito are Tom Rogers Jr., 2020, Kyle Soper, 2021 and Chris Turbush, 2022.
Complimenting the Oval Speed Unlimited Bubba 150 June 8th at Riverhead Raceway are the Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds, Blunderbusts, INEX Legend Race Cars and Eddie Partridge Vintage All-Stars. Opening ceremonies will commence at 6:00 pm proceeded by qualifying.
A race day itinerary and other track information can be viewed at http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails can be forwarded to office@riverheadraceway.com, the phone number remains 631-842-RACE
