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Riverhead, NY June 6th
By Bob Finan
Photo: Michael Jaworecki/Myracenews
Behind every successful driver and race team stands a dedicated crew chief who coordinates operations leading up to and through race day. Thursday afternoon Riverhead Raceway and HighMark Building Efficiency announced a $250 Crew Chief of the Race Award for both NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events scheduled at the historic bullring. The first award will honor Glenn Dixon June 14th, while the second on September 6th remembers Jason Shephard, two Long Island natives who left their footprint on WMT racing.
Rich Gerbe of HighMark Building Efficiency wanted to recognize and honor the memory of Glenn Dixon and Jason Shephard with these awards in their name, “crew chiefs are the unsung heroes of our sport, and these gentlemen are especially deserving of the recognition”. Aside from the $250 monetary award, the winning WMT crew chief for the June 14th Miller Lite Salute to Steve Park 200 and September’s Eddie Partridge 256 will be presented a commemorative plaque created by Timmy Solomito of Natural Design Co.
Glenn Dixon was a polarizing figure; his infectious laugh would light up any garage area he entered during his long and successful tenure in Modified racing. The teams and drivers “Glenno” worked with and mentored locally and on the WMT are numerous. From coming within one race of winning the 1992 NASCAR Modified title at Riverhead with Brian Miller, Dixon also worked his tire expertise with such talents as Mike Ewanitsko, Ted Christopher, Doug Coby and John Beatty Jr., the two-time defending Riverhead champ. At the time of his passing May 1st, 2024, Glenn was living his best life, residing in North Carolina and working with Tommy Baldwin Racing, helping shape the careers of Jack & Luke Baldwin while riding up & down the highway with Tommy Baldwin Jr.
When the Jason Shephard Crew Chief of the Race award is presented September 6th after the Eddie Partridge 256, it marks the second presentation of the $250 and plaque in “J-Shep’s” memory. Jason, unlike Dixon was aligned with just one WMT team during his career, that the team of Edgar & Eric Goodale. The Goodie Motorsports team was shaped and maintained by Jason Shephard and the tight knit team and the WMT family was sent reeling when Jason passed at just 39 last August. Phil Moran was bestowed with the 1st Jason Shephard Crew Chief of the Race by HighMark Building Efficiency when Ron Silk of Norwalk, CT won the 2024 edition of the Eddie Partridge 256.
Austin Beers of Northampton, Pa will lead the early season chase for the 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified championship to Riverhead Raceway June 14th. Coming to the Miller Lite Salutes Steve Park 200 a mere 6-point separates Beers and nearest rival Stephen Kopcik of West Boylston, Ma. Just one marker back of the surprising Kopcik sits defending WMT champion Justin Bonsignore of Holltsville, who hopes to take sole possession of all-time Riverhead WMT wins in the 200. Justin and Mike Ewanitsko are tied with 11 victories each.
Craig Lutz of Miller Place, winner of the North Wilkesboro WMT event comes to his home track just 9-point shy of Beers, with rising driving star Luke Baldwin of Mooresville, NC ranking 5th in the standings, 13 points back of Beers. Luke would like nothing more to score the WMT win at the track his grandfather, the late “Tiger” Tom Baldwin was an 11-time Riverhead Raceway winner, two of those triumphs came in WMT races. “Tiger” Tom won the Miller Lite 200 in 1986 as well the Miller Lite 200 of 1991.
The Miller Lite Salute 200 could prove to be a wildcard race in the hunt for the 2025 WMT title and drivers ranked sixth through tenth are hoping to gain ground on the top five. Trevor Catalano of Ontario, NY, Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, NY, Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa., Tommy Catalano of Ontario, NY and Tyler Barry of Griswold, Ct. complete the WMT top ten.
The WMT will take part in two practice sessions leading up to qualifying for the Miller Lite Salutes Steve Park 200. The first session runs 3:30-3:55 pm, while final practice goes from 4:05 pm through 4:35 pm. Qualifying for the WMT stars is set for 6:15 pm, the 200 will unfold starting at 8:00 pm. Those unable to attend in person can view not just the WMT event, but the entire race day line up ion Flo Racing.
The Riverhead Raceway Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series also in action June 14th includes the Super Pro Trucks, Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars Street Stock and Mini Stocks.
The entire 2025 schedule can be found at http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com, the phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
