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Patchogue, NY Feb. 24th
By Bob Finan
SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION OF FIGURE EIGHT RACING TO HONOR SCOTT PEDERSEN FOR 2024 CHAMPIONSHIP, INDUCT NEW HALL OF FAME CLASS MARCH 29TH
Patchogue, NY Feb. 24th
By Bob Finan
Long touted as “the best party in racing”, Saturday evening March 29th, 2025, the tradition continues as the Suffolk Association of Figure Eight racing hosts their 2024 Championship Awards Dinner at the Moose Lodge of Mount Sinai. The evening will culminate when 2024 S.A.F.E.R. driving champion Scott Pedersen of Shirley is presented the Tom Kraft Memorial S.A.F.E.R. Cup presented by Northeastern Office Equipment.
To state Scott Pedersen dominated the TK Figure Eight racing at Riverhead Raceway in 2024 would be an enormous understatement, as the soft spoken four-time champion won six of the nine events contested. Prior to his dominating season Scott teamed up with car owner Bob Dalke of Bobby’s One Stop Custom Exhaust & Auto with Pedersen’s longtime sponsor Land, Air & Water Environmental on board for the amazing season. One won’t blame Scott if he gets emotional when presented the Tom Kraft Memorial S.A.F.E.R. Cup presented by Northeastern Office Equipment knowing his 2022 championship came driving for Tom & Kathy Kraft, securing the title just a month after Tom’s untimely passing.
Finishing second through fifth in the 2024 S.A.F.E.R. championship chase was Gary Fritz Jr. of Mastic Beach, Bryan Quilliam of Manorville, Ryan Warren of Ridge and Kim Hyde of Riverhead. Fritz and Warren each took home a victory in 2024, while Pedersen’s nephew Allan Pedersen of Center Moriches split the Two for TK Twin 9 features on July 27th. Allan was unable to run for the championship in 2024 due to work commitments.
Aside from trophies for their efforts, the top five drivers also take-home checks from the 2024 S.A.F.A.E.R. championship point fund. Plenty of special awards will be bestowed upon deserving recipients during the ceremony.
Recently club officials announced the Class of 2024 to be enshrined into the Ernie Maynor S.A.F.E.R. Hall of Fame. Popular couple Mike & Pat Cappiello, the longest tenured NASCAR Officials at Riverhead Raceway will be inducted into the hall. Both have been longtime friends and supporters of S.A.F.E.R., Mike through his role as a track steward and competitor liaison with Pat through her role at registration for the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.
One of the driving stars who transcended both Islip Speedway and Riverhead Raceway, Clay Walston will take his rightful place in the Ernie Maynor S.A.F.E.R. Hall of Fame. While driving his #624 Figure Eight at Islip, Clay broke into the winner’s circle once before shifting to Riverhead for a shirt time. Off track Clay served as Sergeant-At-Arms for the club back in the day when the monthly meetings held at Connor’s Pub on the third Tuesday of every month. Clay will be making the trip up from his South Carolina home to accept the honor.
Charles Corwin may never have driven a Figure Eight car, but his impact on the division and S.A.F.E.R. was far reaching. Charles was a major player of Mike Mujsce’s race team, not only serving as a crew member, but also working the public relations side letting track announcers what sponsors to mention, many times securing those sponsors. Together Mike and Charles won the 2012 TK Figure Eights & S.A.F.E.R. title at Riverhead Raceway. After Mike took time away from racing Corwin could still be found selling the S.A.F.A.E.R. 50/50 raffles that drive at the annual championship point fund.
If Riverhead Raceway boasts a “super fan” there is no doubt race enthusiast Gayle Riccobono is that fan. However, there is much more to Gayle’s involvement than occupying her weekly perch on the bottom row of the front stretch grandstands to the turn one side of the Eddie Partridge Race Control Tower. Her involvement with Figure Eight racing and S.A.F.E.R. also dates back to Islip Speedway. On Gayle’s property at her home on the south shore of Long Island sits a two-bay garage that became a race shop for many teams she has helped out over the years, dating as far back as Don Gerle and his #33 machines. While not always limited to Figure Eight teams, more often than not S.A.F.E.R. teams have relied on Gayle’s shop, including championship runner up Gary Fritz Jr. and his current team.
The 2024 S.A.F.E.R. Championship Awards Dinner will be the first staged at this new venue, the Moose Lodge of Mount Sinai, 37 Crystal Brook Hollow Road. Tickets are $90 per for an open bar that runs for the entire length of the affair, 6:00-10:00 pm with a buffet style dinner available for attendees.
Tickets are only available via Venmo, Thomas-Ferrara-11x or Kimhyde-race85, positively no tickets will be sold at the door.
The 2025 TK Figure Eight & S.A.F.E.R. season will open Saturday May 3rd as part of the Pack the Track opener at Riverhead Raceway.
