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Riverhead, NY June 12th
By Bob Finan
Photo: Michael Jaworecki/Myracenews
Since the inaugural NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event presented at Riverhead Raceway on July 10th, 1985, the WMT starting grid has been complemented with Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series teams who call the bullring home, out to upset the touring series regulars. Fast forward to the 76th WMT event at Riverhead Raceway Saturday where five weekly Riverhead teams have entered the Miller Lite Salutes Steve Park 200 with hopes of scoring their first career WMT triumph.
Second generation driver and 2025 opening night winner at Riverhead on May 4th, Chris Young of Calverton will be making his 9th career WMT start in the 200 Saturday. Young comes to the event with his modest Martin Sendlewski Architects in hopes of improving on his career best 11th place WMT finish. Young has actually finished 11th two times, both tallies coming in the first WMT Riverhead events of the season in 2022 & 2024.
Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills and his Rib Pelis owned, Eastport Feeds group are readying for their 12th WMT overall start in the Miller Lite Salutes Steve Park 200. Slepian’s best Riverhead efforts came in the first two WMT races at his home track with a 4th May 14th and a 5th a month later on June 25th. Dylan, who had an off season during the 2024 weekly campaign at Riverhead has shown a return to form over the first three races of 2025.
The third and fourth generation of the Turbush racing family have both enjoyed WMT podium finishes and are primed for more of the same or better Saturday. Roger Turbush of Calverton will go to post for the 19th time in his career since 2019, his shining moment coming in the 2021 Miller Lite 200 finishing third behind race winner Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park and runner up Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville. Roger, steering the Rheem Chevy will be joined by nephew Mark Stewart of Riverhead a recent first career winner of weekly racing on May 18th. Saturday will be the 7th career WMT start for Mark in the Cromer’s Market Chevy. “Markie” turned heads with his stellar runner-up finish to Justin Bonsignore in the 2023 Eddie Partridge 256.
Matt Brode of East Islip, son of three-time Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified champion Howie Brode has filed an entry for Saturday. Matt, 20 with his Petro Motorsports team. Matt hopes to improve on a career best 13th place effort he earned in 2022 at just 18-years old. There would be no better feeling for Matt or his father, a 20-time winner at the famed quarter mile to come away with an upset win, the likes of which have not been seen at Riverhead since Dillon Steuer’s Islip 300 improbable win.
All five of the talented Riverhead Raceway regulars hope to repeat what Kyle Soper of Manorville did in 2022, score one for the home team. Prior to Soper’s 2022 victory, only Dan Jivanelli of Hampton Bays (2x), Don Howe of Water Mill and Ed Brunnhoelzl Jr. of Levittown have won WMT events while track regulars.
Current WMT championship leader Austin Beers of Northampton, Pa. will lead rivals Stephen Kopcik of West Boylston Ma., defending WMT champion Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, Craig Lutz of Miller Place and Luke Baldwin of Mooresville, NC into battle in the Miller Lite Salutes Steve Park 200.
The Super Pro Trucks, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars join the NAS AR Whelen Modified Tour Saturday. Two WMT practice sessions take to the track from 3.30 PM through 3:55 Pm and again from 4:05 PM until 4:35 PM. Qualifying for the 200 is set for 6:15 PM, the 200-lap WMT affair is set for 8:00 PM.
General admission gates open at 3:00 PM. Adults are $40, kids-6-12 $20, 5 & under free, Camping is free in the camper section of the track behind the pit area of the track only. There are no hook-ups.
For additional information please visit http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach the track at office@riverheadraceway.com, out phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
