RGeeProductions
05-24-2011, 11:49 PM
TIMMY SOLOMITO HOLDS OFF JUSTIN BONSIGNORE IN RIVERHEAD RACEWAY NASCAR HALL OF FAME 100 CLASSIC
Two of the brightest young NASCAR Modified stars in the game waged a classic battle Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway in the NASCAR Hall of Fame 100 with "The Natural" Timmy Solomito of Islip holding off a hard charging Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville in a battle that race fans will be talking about for years to come. The victory, Solomito's second in three races in 2011, was worth $3,550 which included a $1,000 winner's bonus as well as a $500 first Riverhead Raceway driver across the line from ardent race fan, Jim Schaefer.
Justin Bonsignore set fast time among the 32-cars to take to the clock with a lap of 11.832 earning $100 from Brigandi Brothers Automotive of Nesconset. In the redraw, among the top six Bonsignore, as he feared drew 6th, while Ronnie Silk and Timmy Solomito who were second and third in time drew the front row. Silk raced his way into the early race lead with Solomito and Tom Rogers Jr. in tow and the field ran green for the first 12 laps before a series of caution flags would slow the race. The cautions periods did set-up some great double file restarts that saw Solomito try and rim ride the outside lane around Silk, but with Rogers looming in third Timmy would have to tuck into line behind the defending race winner.
After several attempts at passing Silk on the outside during those intense restarts, Solomito finally hit pay dirt on lap 27 when he was able to stay to Silk's outside racing through the first and second corner. Then with some great forward momentum going into turn three Timmy became the new race leader on lap 27 with Silk now second and a fast closing Justin Bonsignore third. Just two laps after Solomito took the race lead, another of many yellow flags waved for a hard hit by Ryan Preece off turn four. It was at that time that NASCAR Officials had seen enough of the yellow in the period in and around the quarter race mark and the call was made to go to single file restarts.
The move didn't hamper the excitement of the race and, in fact, may have added to the drama as a nice long green flag period ensued with Solomito showing the way while Ronnie Silk and Justin Bonsignore got after each other for second. Right at the halfway mark Bonsignore dove under Silk to move to second and set his sights on the race leader. What transpired over the final 50-laps of the race was purely high speed art as Bonsignore caught and started to test Solomito for the lead in every turn of the event. At time late in the race Timmy would get loose exiting the corners as Bonsignore applied the pressure, but each and every time Justin backed off the throttle rather than drive through the leader to take the win, all the while the crowd on hand were on their collective feet cheering them on.
At the checker it was Timmy Solomito wheeling the 2B Brothers Inc Chevy to victory, his sixth career win. After receiving the NASCAR Hall of Fame 100 Cup and jacket from Barbara & Jim Cromarty Timmy paused and looked back on the fierce battle with Justin Bonsignore, "first I have to thank Justin for running me really hard and super clean" Timmy reflected. "Early on the double file restarts with Ronnie, our Steve Mehner Engine pulled us out front finally and even though our car might not have been the best tonight we were able score what to date is the biggest win of my career".
Justin Bonsignore, who tweaked his wrist on lap 10 of the century grind toughed it out for a stellar runner-up finish earning the $1,000 bonus for the first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regular across the line in his M3 Technology Chevy. Zane Zeiner of Bath, Pa., who never laid eyes on the demanding Riverhead oval, did a masterful job of bringing the JDL Environmental Chevy of Dave & Cindy Brigati home third, turning many heads in the process. Howie Brode of E. Islip and John Fortin of Holtsville completed the top five.
Mike Bologna of Melville enjoyed the best season of his Late Model career in 2010 and picked-up where he left off with a wire to wire win in the 25-lap Late Model main event. Mike wasted no time roaring into the race lead from his outside pole starting berth, out racing Artie Pedersen to turn one. After Pedersen chased Bologna for the first lap, Shawn Patrick had the chore from laps two through eight before Roger Oxee and Scott Kulesa moved to second and third on lap 9. The lead Bologna had built up early on was being erased by the combination of Oxee and Kulesa when suddenly Oxee spun off on the 18th circuit leaving Kulesa to take up the chase. He too however would later be met with his own spin off turn two on lap 21 and that chain of events led to Peter Eriksen now sitting second behind Mike Bologna. It mattered not to Mike in his Schlaugies Fuel Oil Chevy who was running second as he drove off to his 6th career LM triumph at Riverhead Raceway. Peter "Buzzy" Eriksen of Baldwin was runner-up in the Harley Davidson of Nassau Chevy, while opening night winner Chris LaSpisa of Shirley placed third in his McBetts racing Engines Chevy.
Three time and defending Charger champion Chris Turbush of Riverhead took full advantage of a rare third starting position to score the win in the 20-lap feature event. Impressive sophomore driver Eric Zeh raced out front at the drop of the green and proceeded to lead the first 5 circuits of the contest before Chris Turbush who was chasing Eric was able to slip by on lap 6. Zeh soon found himself under attack from third place CJ Lehmann and fourth place Jeremy McDermott when misfortune struck Zeh just 2 laps from the conclusion of the race. Suddenly his car slowed and came to a stop in the infield drawing a late race caution and subsequent restart that lined up Lehmann and McDermott right on the back bumper of leader Chris Turbush. The green, white and checker was on the horizon but that didn't bother Chris Turbush in the Sapienza Racing Chevy as he drove to his 26th career win, breaking a tie with his uncle Rusty for third on the all-time win list. CJ Lehmann of Mastic Beach was runner-up in the Moriches Bay Diner entry, while the JDP Mechanical Chevy of Jeremy McDermott of E. Stroudsburg, Pa placed third.
Scott Maliszewski of Deer Park scored an emotional win in the 20-lap Blunderbust feature event, just over a month after his mother Patricia passed away. Michael "Cheesebox" Rommeney led the first dozen laps of the race with Jack Handley Jr., Gary Caldwell and finally Scott Maliszewski all giving chase at one point. It was Maliszewski, Michael's friend off the track, who really tested him hard and on lap 12 Scott was able to slide under Rommeney for the race lead. Rommeney quickly found himself racing Tom Pickerell for second, which Tom wrestled away on lap 13 and over the final six laps it was Pickerell chasing Maliszewski for the lead and race win. At the finish however it was Scott Maliszewski in the Thomas J. Stock Attorney At Law Chevy scoring the victory on the day he put his mother's picture inside his racecar for inspiration. It was Scott's 14th career win which moves him into a tie for fourth on the all-time BB win list with Ron Harrison. Tom Pickerell of Huntington was second in the Premier Utility Chevy, with Michael Rommeney of Maspeth retaining third in his un-sponsored entry.
NASCAR Hall of Fame 100: 1. Timmy Solomito 2. Justin Bonsignore 3. Zane Zeiner 4. Howie Brode 5. John Fortin 6. John Beatty Jr. 7. Richie Pallai Jr. 8. Eric Goodale 9. George Brunnhoelzl III 10. Glenn Tyler 11. Jerry Solomito Jr. 12. Bill Park 13. Wayne Anderson 14. Ronnie Silk 15. Brad Van Houten 16. Chris Young 17. Dave Brigati 18. Kevin Goodale 19. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 20. Shawn Solomito 21. John Fortin Jr. 22. Tom Rogers Jr. 23. Ryan Preece 24. Jason Agugliaro DNQ- Kevin Orlando, Ken Darch, Jeremy McDermott, Don Howe, Sean McDonald, Terry Stiles
Late Models 25-laps: 1. Mike Bologna 2. Peter Eriksen 3. Chris LaSpisa 4. Kevin Metzger 5. Rob McCormick 6. Tony Anello 7. Shawn Patrick 8. Artie Pedersen 9. Jarrod Hayes 10. Dennis Krupski 11. Scott Kulesa 12. Roger Oxee 13. Darryl Baker 14. Daryn Miller
Chargers 20-laps: 1. Chris Turbush 2. CJ Lehmann 3. Jeremy McDermott 4. Chris McGuire 5. Daryn Miller 6. Frank Dumicich Jr. 7. Erin Dumicich 8. Brian Doyle 9. Derek Stachecki 10. John Baker 11. Tom Sullivan 12. Ray Minieri 13. Allen Reeves 14. Frank Scimeca Jr. 15. Eric Zeh
Blunderbusts 20-laps: 1. Scott Maliszewski 2. Tom Pickerell 3. Michael Rommeney 4. Gary Caldwell 5. Tim Mulqueen 6. Jack Handley Jr. 7. Ed Mistretta 8. Paul Parisi 9. Brandon Hubbard 10. Tom Sullivan 11. Thomas Puccia 12. Bill Wegmann 13. Rob Bader 14. Tommy Walkowiak 15. Scott Sepe DNS-Jimmy White Jr., Lexey Sweeney
Bob Finan
Two of the brightest young NASCAR Modified stars in the game waged a classic battle Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway in the NASCAR Hall of Fame 100 with "The Natural" Timmy Solomito of Islip holding off a hard charging Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville in a battle that race fans will be talking about for years to come. The victory, Solomito's second in three races in 2011, was worth $3,550 which included a $1,000 winner's bonus as well as a $500 first Riverhead Raceway driver across the line from ardent race fan, Jim Schaefer.
Justin Bonsignore set fast time among the 32-cars to take to the clock with a lap of 11.832 earning $100 from Brigandi Brothers Automotive of Nesconset. In the redraw, among the top six Bonsignore, as he feared drew 6th, while Ronnie Silk and Timmy Solomito who were second and third in time drew the front row. Silk raced his way into the early race lead with Solomito and Tom Rogers Jr. in tow and the field ran green for the first 12 laps before a series of caution flags would slow the race. The cautions periods did set-up some great double file restarts that saw Solomito try and rim ride the outside lane around Silk, but with Rogers looming in third Timmy would have to tuck into line behind the defending race winner.
After several attempts at passing Silk on the outside during those intense restarts, Solomito finally hit pay dirt on lap 27 when he was able to stay to Silk's outside racing through the first and second corner. Then with some great forward momentum going into turn three Timmy became the new race leader on lap 27 with Silk now second and a fast closing Justin Bonsignore third. Just two laps after Solomito took the race lead, another of many yellow flags waved for a hard hit by Ryan Preece off turn four. It was at that time that NASCAR Officials had seen enough of the yellow in the period in and around the quarter race mark and the call was made to go to single file restarts.
The move didn't hamper the excitement of the race and, in fact, may have added to the drama as a nice long green flag period ensued with Solomito showing the way while Ronnie Silk and Justin Bonsignore got after each other for second. Right at the halfway mark Bonsignore dove under Silk to move to second and set his sights on the race leader. What transpired over the final 50-laps of the race was purely high speed art as Bonsignore caught and started to test Solomito for the lead in every turn of the event. At time late in the race Timmy would get loose exiting the corners as Bonsignore applied the pressure, but each and every time Justin backed off the throttle rather than drive through the leader to take the win, all the while the crowd on hand were on their collective feet cheering them on.
At the checker it was Timmy Solomito wheeling the 2B Brothers Inc Chevy to victory, his sixth career win. After receiving the NASCAR Hall of Fame 100 Cup and jacket from Barbara & Jim Cromarty Timmy paused and looked back on the fierce battle with Justin Bonsignore, "first I have to thank Justin for running me really hard and super clean" Timmy reflected. "Early on the double file restarts with Ronnie, our Steve Mehner Engine pulled us out front finally and even though our car might not have been the best tonight we were able score what to date is the biggest win of my career".
Justin Bonsignore, who tweaked his wrist on lap 10 of the century grind toughed it out for a stellar runner-up finish earning the $1,000 bonus for the first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regular across the line in his M3 Technology Chevy. Zane Zeiner of Bath, Pa., who never laid eyes on the demanding Riverhead oval, did a masterful job of bringing the JDL Environmental Chevy of Dave & Cindy Brigati home third, turning many heads in the process. Howie Brode of E. Islip and John Fortin of Holtsville completed the top five.
Mike Bologna of Melville enjoyed the best season of his Late Model career in 2010 and picked-up where he left off with a wire to wire win in the 25-lap Late Model main event. Mike wasted no time roaring into the race lead from his outside pole starting berth, out racing Artie Pedersen to turn one. After Pedersen chased Bologna for the first lap, Shawn Patrick had the chore from laps two through eight before Roger Oxee and Scott Kulesa moved to second and third on lap 9. The lead Bologna had built up early on was being erased by the combination of Oxee and Kulesa when suddenly Oxee spun off on the 18th circuit leaving Kulesa to take up the chase. He too however would later be met with his own spin off turn two on lap 21 and that chain of events led to Peter Eriksen now sitting second behind Mike Bologna. It mattered not to Mike in his Schlaugies Fuel Oil Chevy who was running second as he drove off to his 6th career LM triumph at Riverhead Raceway. Peter "Buzzy" Eriksen of Baldwin was runner-up in the Harley Davidson of Nassau Chevy, while opening night winner Chris LaSpisa of Shirley placed third in his McBetts racing Engines Chevy.
Three time and defending Charger champion Chris Turbush of Riverhead took full advantage of a rare third starting position to score the win in the 20-lap feature event. Impressive sophomore driver Eric Zeh raced out front at the drop of the green and proceeded to lead the first 5 circuits of the contest before Chris Turbush who was chasing Eric was able to slip by on lap 6. Zeh soon found himself under attack from third place CJ Lehmann and fourth place Jeremy McDermott when misfortune struck Zeh just 2 laps from the conclusion of the race. Suddenly his car slowed and came to a stop in the infield drawing a late race caution and subsequent restart that lined up Lehmann and McDermott right on the back bumper of leader Chris Turbush. The green, white and checker was on the horizon but that didn't bother Chris Turbush in the Sapienza Racing Chevy as he drove to his 26th career win, breaking a tie with his uncle Rusty for third on the all-time win list. CJ Lehmann of Mastic Beach was runner-up in the Moriches Bay Diner entry, while the JDP Mechanical Chevy of Jeremy McDermott of E. Stroudsburg, Pa placed third.
Scott Maliszewski of Deer Park scored an emotional win in the 20-lap Blunderbust feature event, just over a month after his mother Patricia passed away. Michael "Cheesebox" Rommeney led the first dozen laps of the race with Jack Handley Jr., Gary Caldwell and finally Scott Maliszewski all giving chase at one point. It was Maliszewski, Michael's friend off the track, who really tested him hard and on lap 12 Scott was able to slide under Rommeney for the race lead. Rommeney quickly found himself racing Tom Pickerell for second, which Tom wrestled away on lap 13 and over the final six laps it was Pickerell chasing Maliszewski for the lead and race win. At the finish however it was Scott Maliszewski in the Thomas J. Stock Attorney At Law Chevy scoring the victory on the day he put his mother's picture inside his racecar for inspiration. It was Scott's 14th career win which moves him into a tie for fourth on the all-time BB win list with Ron Harrison. Tom Pickerell of Huntington was second in the Premier Utility Chevy, with Michael Rommeney of Maspeth retaining third in his un-sponsored entry.
NASCAR Hall of Fame 100: 1. Timmy Solomito 2. Justin Bonsignore 3. Zane Zeiner 4. Howie Brode 5. John Fortin 6. John Beatty Jr. 7. Richie Pallai Jr. 8. Eric Goodale 9. George Brunnhoelzl III 10. Glenn Tyler 11. Jerry Solomito Jr. 12. Bill Park 13. Wayne Anderson 14. Ronnie Silk 15. Brad Van Houten 16. Chris Young 17. Dave Brigati 18. Kevin Goodale 19. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 20. Shawn Solomito 21. John Fortin Jr. 22. Tom Rogers Jr. 23. Ryan Preece 24. Jason Agugliaro DNQ- Kevin Orlando, Ken Darch, Jeremy McDermott, Don Howe, Sean McDonald, Terry Stiles
Late Models 25-laps: 1. Mike Bologna 2. Peter Eriksen 3. Chris LaSpisa 4. Kevin Metzger 5. Rob McCormick 6. Tony Anello 7. Shawn Patrick 8. Artie Pedersen 9. Jarrod Hayes 10. Dennis Krupski 11. Scott Kulesa 12. Roger Oxee 13. Darryl Baker 14. Daryn Miller
Chargers 20-laps: 1. Chris Turbush 2. CJ Lehmann 3. Jeremy McDermott 4. Chris McGuire 5. Daryn Miller 6. Frank Dumicich Jr. 7. Erin Dumicich 8. Brian Doyle 9. Derek Stachecki 10. John Baker 11. Tom Sullivan 12. Ray Minieri 13. Allen Reeves 14. Frank Scimeca Jr. 15. Eric Zeh
Blunderbusts 20-laps: 1. Scott Maliszewski 2. Tom Pickerell 3. Michael Rommeney 4. Gary Caldwell 5. Tim Mulqueen 6. Jack Handley Jr. 7. Ed Mistretta 8. Paul Parisi 9. Brandon Hubbard 10. Tom Sullivan 11. Thomas Puccia 12. Bill Wegmann 13. Rob Bader 14. Tommy Walkowiak 15. Scott Sepe DNS-Jimmy White Jr., Lexey Sweeney
Bob Finan