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Riverhead, NY Sept. 10th
By Bob Finan
Due to an extremely wet August on Long Island, the Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modifieds return to action for the first time in well over a month at Riverhead Raceway Saturday for the Cecil Palm Tree 66. The race honoring track owner Eddie Partridge who used the Cecil Palm Tree moniker in a brief driving career will serve as the penultimate race in the chase for the 2026 NASCAR Modified championship.
After Chris Rogers of Patchogue won the last 2026 NASCAR Modified event on July 31st, the annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 fell victim to weather three times since August 7th when a heavy storm wiped out the race after qualifying. Owen Grennan of Glen Cove led the way in HighMark Building Efficiency time trials prior to the rain with a lap of 11.654, Justin Brown of Manorville, Chase Grennan of Glen Cove, Kyle Ellwood of Riverhead and Jack Handley Jr. of Medford completed the top five. Saturday’s Cecil Palm Tree 66 will utilize the qualifying from August 7th teams were notified via email by track GM John Ellwood and must also start the race on the tires they qualified with. Fifteen teams took time on August 7th; any add on entrants Saturday will have to drop to rear of the field.
Heading into the Cecil Palm Tree 66 six points separate championship leader Owen Grennan and Mark Stewart of Riverhead for the 2026 title. Stewart currently holds the tiebreaker with one regular season win in the Flying Dutchman Tribute 76 on July 3rd, while Owen has yet to break into victory lane. Chris Young of Calverton sits third 24 back of Grennan, while Chase Grennan of Glen Cove, -28 and Matt Brode of East Islip, -34 complete the top five. Chase Grennan is the defending race winner of the 66.
The Late Models will run a 25-lap feature Saturday with the race their second to last of the wet season. Veteran Dave Brigati of Calverton holds a six-point edge over former multi-time champion Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead, and a 16-point bulge over third place Allan Pedersen of Center Moriches. The Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modified championship chase is a tight one with two races left including Saturday’s 25-lap event. AJ DeSantis of Yaphank holds and eight-point advantage over both Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches and Michael Berner of Patchogue who are knotted for second. DeSantis and Berner have each won twice, with Davidowitz once to date.
Like the Modifieds, the Blunderbusts have not races since July 31st when championship leader Jim Laird Jr. of Islip Terrace notched his third win of 2026. However, hot on Laird’s heel going into Saturday’s 20-lap main event is Matt Triola of Bay Shore, a two-time winner this season. With Triola finishing second for Laird’s three wins, and Jim second to Matt for his two wins, Laird enjoys a two -point margin. Popular Tom Sullivan of Massapequa is 62-points back of Laird in third. Brother and sister Frank Dumicich Jr. and Erin Solomito, both from East Quogue ranks 1-2 in the Super Pro Truck title chase with Frank currently 4-points up on his younger sibling, with both earning one win in 2026. Lurking just six points out of the championship lead and very much in the mix is Mark Stewart, who also has made one trip to the winner’s circle.
Another sibling rivalry has surfaced for the 2026 Mini Stock championship with Ryan Zukowski of Riverhead, winner of four out of six races contested so far having a comfortable 30-point edge over older brother CJ Zukowski of Riverhead. Eoughan Hayward of Westhampton has impressed with his effort this season leaving him third in the rankings with two races remaining.
Veteran talent Anthony Pizzo of Lake Ronkonkoma holds a slim 2-point lead over Woot Lawrence of Southampton heading into the 8-Cylinder Enduro Saturday, defending champion Kevin Feeney of East Quogue sits ten points back of Pizzo in third. Also seeing action Saturday are the Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars and a the JuiceBox Racers.
Heat race qualifying is set for 4:45 PM with opening ceremonies set for 5:50 PM. General admission gates open at 4:15 PM, adults are $30, kids 6-12 $20 with 5 & under free.
A complete rundown of all 2026 championship races can be found at www.riverehadraceway.com, emails reach the track at office@riverheadraceway.com while the phone number is 631-842-RACE.
