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RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — The intense, year-long NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship battle between Ron Silk and Justin Bonsignore encountered a major twist in Saturday’s Eddie Partridge 256 at Riverhead Raceway.
While fighting side-by-side for the lead during the closing laps, the two Modified heavyweights made contact on the backstretch, resulting in significant damage to Bonsignore’s left-front suspension. Silk drove away for his fourth victory of 2024, all while Bonsignore was left with a points deficit.
RELATED: Complete results from the Eddie Partridge 256
Silk described the racing with Bonsignore as aggressive from the moment the green flag waved. He was not worried about the circumstances that led to Bonsignore’s damage; he instead was thrilled to prevail in a race that honored his former car owner Eddie Partridge.
“There was a lot of contact most of the race between both of us,” Silk said. “I got under him, and we made contact just like the lap before when I was on the outside of him. I drove for Eddie Partridge for a number of years, so it means a lot to me to win his race here.
“It was a good night.”
The duel Silk and Bonsignore shared Saturday evening closely resembled their heated battle for the win during last year’s Eddie Partridge 256.
Spectators at Riverhead that evening were treated to a thrilling finish that saw Bonsignore and Silk exchange bump-and-runs throughout the last 10 laps. Bonsignore emerged victorious that evening, and Silk ended up settling for third after losing track position.
Not ready to surrender another Riverhead victory or any more ground in the Modified Tour standings to Bonsignore, Silk matched his rival nearly blow-for-blow Saturday evening. Bonsignore spent more time out front Saturday, but the 11-time Riverhead winner never managed to shake Silk from his rearview mirror.
As the laps dwindled, Silk gradually applied more pressure to Bonsignore’s back bumper. He made his move on Bonsignore with 15 laps remaining, diving on him in Turn 1 and colliding with Bonsignore’s left-front suspension, which ultimately brought Bonsignore’s stellar night to an abrupt end.
Had Bonsignore managed to hold off Silk, he would have made Modified Tour history on multiple fronts. A 12th victory for Bonsignore at Riverhead moves him past Mike Ewanitsko for most series wins at the track, while another Modified Tour triumph in general gives Bonsignore sole possession of third on the all-time wins list.
Instead, Bonsignore suddenly finds himself down 10 points to Silk in the standings after entering the Eddie Partridge 256 with a five-point advantage. He has four races remaining to undo the damage from Riverhead, but he will have to minimize any mistakes to undo the momentum Silk obtained from Saturday’s triumph.
For Silk, sweeping the season at Riverhead carries plenty of significance. He had never visited Riverhead’s Victory Lane on the Modified Tour until last year, and he felt honored to secure another checkered flag for a car owner who helped mold him into the driver he is today.
The path to another Riverhead victory for Silk came at the expense of Bonsignore, yet the impact of the moment was not lost on Silk as he celebrated with his crew and the staff at Riverhead.
“They’re all special, but to win this one in Eddie’s honor at his race track is pretty cool,” Silk said. “He did a lot of great things for me over the years, and it’s cool to win his race.”
Craig Lutz followed Silk across the finish line in second, with Tyler Rypkema, Patrick Emerling and Austin Beers rounding out the top five. The rest of the top 10 consisted of Timmy Solomito, Kyle Bonsignore, J.R. Bertuccio, Eric Goodale and Tommy Catalano.
Bonsignore ended his night in the 15th position following his broken suspension.
Next up for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is the Winchester Fair presented by USNE at Monadnock Speedway on Saturday, the final leg of the Whelen Granite State Short Track Cup. The green flag will wave at 6 p.m. ET, with FloRacing providing live flag-to-flag coverage.
