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Riverhead, NY July 18th
By Bob Finan
The 2nd annual Two for TK Twin 9 Figure Eight features Saturday July 27th at Riverhead Raceway will boast $3,138 in lap and bonus awards it was announced Thursday. The event honors the memory and celebrates Long Island Figure Eight icon “TK” Tom Kraft who passed away July 29th, 2023. The Two for TK Twin 9’s are part of a busy NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series program that includes the return of the Tour Type Modifieds, and the Dennis Krupski 112 for the Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds.
The history books will recall Tom Kraft as a three-time Riverhead Raceway track champion who earned 29 feature wins in the process, fifth all-time at Riverhead. TK’s imprint on Figure Eight racing went well beyond those on-track accomplishments, “Dare I say nobody, I mean nobody did more for Figure Eight racing during its 61-year history than Tommy” retired Riverhead announcer Bob Finan recalled, “from being on the board of the Suffolk Association of Figure Eight Racing (SAFER) since the early 1980’s, TK lived and breathed his beloved Figure Eights”. After his driving days were behind him, Kraft joined the Riverhead Raceway staff as a NASCAR official, continuing advocating for the class up until the day of his passing. Tom also put his money where his heart was, owning multiple cars in the class with wife Kathy. He would and did anything to save the division.
One of the several new drivers that Kraft mentored most recently Kim Hyde spearheaded the $1,440 bonus program, with four complete sets of laps sponsored for the Two for TK Twin 9’s. Hyde, in conjunction with Tom’s niece Erin Delaney have also announced and coordinated an additional $1,698 in special award bonuses for the Twin 9’s.
An anonymous donor has posted a $250 Race Winner bonus for both Twin 9’s, Goodfellas Auto Repair is adding a $99 bonus for each winner. Tommy Baldwin Racing generously came on board with a $250 Best Average Finish award and honors his father “Tiger” Tom with a $125 bonus for the 7th place finisher of both races. Joseph Larsen Real Estate of Jacksonville, Florida sponsors the $100 Most Laps Led Award, with RP Fabricating adding a $100 Fastest Lap bonus. Natural Design Co. adds $100 for the Hard Charger, while former Figure Eight driver AJ Van Ness will award $100 to the Hard Luck Driver. Roger & Stephanie Turbush will award a $40 Runner-up Bonus for both features.
Dennis Krupski will be fondly remembered July 27th as the Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds go 112-laps. Krupski, a staple in the Crate class since inception lost a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer in late June. Lap and bonus money is currently being arranged by Erin Delaney for the 112, interested sponsors should contact Erin for further details. After their annual mid-season break, the NASCAR Modifieds return for a 50-lap contest with the Late Models, INEX Legend Race Cars, Bock Auto INEX Bandoleros and Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars completing a busy night of racing.
Opening ceremonies are planned for 6:30 pm, proceeded by qualifying. The July 27th race day itinerary, remaining 2024 events and other info can be obtained by visiting http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com. The phone number is 631-842-RACE.
