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Riverhead, NY July 24th
By Bob Finan
The 6th annual Bubba 150 for the NASCAR Modifieds will usher in the month of August at Riverhead Raceway, today Dennis Freese who organizes the race through his Oval Speed Unlimited firm announced $14,450 in bonus award for the event. The race celebrates the life of longtime Bill Park team member Bob “Bubba” Patanjo, a revered member of the Riverhead racing family who passed away suddenly in October 0f 2019.
“I am excited to announce a $14,450 bonus money awards program is in place for Bubba’s race” Dennis Freese said Wednesday afternoon, he also quickly pointed out, “that sum doesn’t include lap money that I and Erin Delaney are currently selling at $20 per lap”. Lap money will be paid over the top three positions per lap in the Bubba 150. After Bill Park retired as a car owner after a hall of fame driving career, Bob Patanjo remained a presence at the track setting up camp of Freese’s parts truck with his ever-present cigar. If “Bubba” really liked somebody, he tag them with a nickname.
The Patanjo family, who have stood behind the Bubba 150 since its inception, do so again in 2025 offering a $5,000 bonus. “This year the race winner receives $3,500 from the Patanjo’s, who wanted to spread the bonus among the podium finishers” Freese explained. “Second will pay $1,000 and third $500” The 2024 Bubba 150 race winner John Beatty Jr. of Merrick earned $9,500 for his triumph, Beatty looks to repeat the fete August 2nd.
The HighMark Building Efficiency Challenge returns to the Bubba 150 offering intriguing possibilities. The 2025 challenge will be available to the pole winner in qualifying, if the quickest driver agrees to start last in the field and wins the race, they earn $7,500, with $3,750 in cash with the $3,750 balance in the form of a Oval Speed gift card. Should the pole winner accept the challenge and not win but still finish in the top five, a $1,000 Oval Speed gift card will be awarded to the top five finishers. If the pole winner finishes outside the top five or they refuse the challenge outright, the top five will be presented a $500 Oval Speed gift card from Rich Gerbe of HighMark Building Efficiency.
A plethora of special awards are also on the line next Saturday as announced by Freese. The $200 Righteous Window Cleaning Pole Award will be up for grabs in qualifying while a $200 Hard Charger Award has been posted by Steve Park. The Natural Design Co. $250 Most Laps Led Award will be on the line and joined by the $200 Ryan Preece Racing Halfway Leader and $200 Ryan Preece Racing Fastest Lap of the Race bonuses. The $200 Ralph Beaver Hard Luck Driver of the Race, $200 Planet Earth Recycling Last Lead Lap Car while Dave Brigati presents the $300 Furthest Distance Traveled Award (from race shop to track) new for 2025. Additionally, the Bubba 150 winner will draw a pill in victory lane, the driver who finished in that position earns the $200 Top Notch Performance Pill Draw Award.
Complementing the Bubba 150 are the TK Figure Eights, Super Pro Trucks, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Truck Enduro and 8-Cylinder Enduro. Opening ceremonies are 6:15 PM, proceeded by qualifying. Adults $30, kids 6-12 $20, 5 & under free.
To keep up with the 2025 schedule, championship chases and other news please visit http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com, our phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
