RGeeProductions
07-25-2011, 07:15 PM
RONNIE SILK HOLDS OFF LATE RACE CHALLENGE BY TODD SZEGEDY TO WIN RIVERHEAD'S BALDWIN, EVANS & JARZOMBEK 77 MEMORIAL
Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, Ct had to withstand a late race challenge from fellow NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regular and current point leader Todd Szegedy Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway before he could lay claim to the victory in the annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 by Repo Joe. The $1,600 triumph was especially sweet for Silk's Calverton, L.I. based car owners Ed & Connie Partridge who were very close to "Charging" Charlie Jarzomebk throughout his racing career.
"The Fancy Farmer" Dave Brigati set the fast time with a lap of 11.754 earning $100 from Brigandi Brothers Automotive but when Dave was the first to pull from the hat in the redraw among the top six from time, he drew sixth while Ronnie Silk and Tom Rogers Jr. drew the front row for the 28-car field. On the initial start Silk powered his TS Haulers Chevy into the early race lead while Rogers tried to make a run on the outside for the lead. The duo renewed acquaintances from their fantastic battle in the 2010 NASCAR HoF 100 at Riverhead and several early race caution flags set-up double file restarts. During those restarts Tom would try and power his way by Ronnie for the lead but would have to tuck in behind the leader eventually. With 13 laps in the books another restart was on the horizon and this time Howie Brode, the defending race winner of the 77, slipped under Rogers for second and he quickly set his sights on Silk for the lead. An extended green flag run allowed Silk a chance to pull away slightly over Brode and Rogers who were both under attack from Todd Szegedy who soon passed Rogers for third.
On lap 44 disaster struck second place Howie Brode when he was clipped suddenly by a car he was lapping sending him into a spin off turn four and drawing a yellow flag and resetting the top three with Ronnie Silk remaining the race leader while Todd Szegedy and Tom Rogers ran second and third. When the race resumed the two WMT regulars would indeed be the class of the field as they darted away from Rogers and fourth place Dave Brigati allowing them to settle the race lead and victory among themselves. Just moments after receiving the two to go signal, Szegedy who shadowed Silk, once he came to second made an attempt on the outside of the race leader exiting the second turn, hoping his move would stick on the outside entering turn three, but Silk was having none of it and warded off the challenge.
At the finish it was Ronnie Silk scoring his second career Riverhead Raceway win backing up his 2010 NASCAR HoF victory and more importantly will go into this Saturday night's Lighthouse Mission 200 by Baldwin Automotive 200 on a roll. "I have to thank Ed & Connie Partridge for the opportunity to drive their car, I know this race was a special one for them being close with Charlie" Silk noted in victory lane as he was flanked by NASCAR's Jerry Cook and Barbara & Jim Cromarty. When asked if his team could learn anything for the 200 this week even though the track tire and WMT are different, Silk admitted, "not too much, but my crew chief Tommy Grasso and this team I'm sure took some notes that will get us back here in seven days".
Todd Szegedy of Ridgefield, Ct was runner-up in his Wisk Laundry Detergent Ford, while Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue rolled across the line third in his Jessup Landscaping Chevy. Dave Brigati of Calverton placed fourth in the 77 while the drive of the race could very well have been Howie Brode of East Islip who in the final 33-laps of the race charged his way back to a fifth place finish.
Arne Pedersen of Mastic Beach notched his third Figure Eight win of 2011 when he topped the Repo Joe 20. Roger Maynor took advantage of a rare front row starting berth to race out to the early race lead with Pedersen making a bold move to come from third to second. As the field started the third lap another rare occurrence for Roger Maynor unfolded when his car lost third gear in the right hand turn forcing him high for a moment and that was all Arne Pedersen needed to take the race lead in his Seatuck Fish Dodge. With Pedersen out front, Roger Maynor was able to make a quick recovery dropping his car down into second gear chasing the eventual race winner to the checkered flag. For Arne Pedersen it was his 7th career victory and for Roger Maynor of Bay Shore in the Barrasso & Sons Mason Supplies Toyota his runner-up finish means his winless streak that dates back to August 22nd, 2009 remains intact. Third place money went to the returning Ken Hyde Jr. of Medford who raced his way from an 11th place starting spot to finish third in the Maples Bar of Manorville entry.
20-year old Charger talent CJ Lehmann of Mastic Beach came into his own in the Repo Joe 20 as he rode the outside lane to reclaim the lead he had lost to Frank Dumicich Jr. three laps prior to score his second career win. After Frank Dumicich Jr. led the first lap CJ Lehmann was able to slip by on the second circuit to take control of the race which had an extended green flag run early, allowing Lehmann to pull away even further. However a 14th lap yellow would bunch the field up and on the ensuing restart Dumicich raced his way under a stunned Lehmann entering the first turn to take the race lead. Lehmann didn't let this get in his way however as he pulled up his work boots and drove to the outside of Dumicich to reclaim the race lead as the field got the two to go signal. Over the final two laps CJ Lehmann in the TJ Halpin's Restaurant Chevy would drive off to a hard earned victory. Second year driver Eric Zeh of Selden made a late race move to claim runner-up money in the ILS Landscaping entry, while "Radiant" Ray Minieri with some late race moves of his own placed third in the Mr Beery's Pub Pontiac.
Rob Bader of Holtsville came to the Repo Joe 20 Blunderbust feature event hoping to end what he claimed to be an eight race slump he was mired in and when the race concluded Bader ended the skid with his first victory of 2011. Brandon Hubbard raced his way into the early race lead and over the first half of the race it appeared the second generation driver would make his first career trip to victory lane. Bill Wegmann Jr. chased Hubbard over the first nine laps of the contest but as the race hit the halfway mark its complexion would change in a hurry. Hubbard and Wegmann drove into some thick lapped traffic down the back stretch and into the third and fourth corner which was made worse by a car slowing up high with a flat tire. As he sat third in the running order Rob Bader in his MoMo's Sports Bar Chevy seized the moment and in one clean sweeping move raced his way from third to the race lead passed a surprised Hubbard and Wegmann. Over the final half of the race Rob Bader raced away to victory, his first since September 11th of last year and he now hopes to start a winning streak to replace his self proclaimed slump. Brandon Hubbard of Mastic was runner-up in the Hubbard's Repair Shop Buick, while Tom Pickerell of Huntington drove from 11th to finish third in his Premier Utility Services Chevy.
Chris Turbush of Riverhead made it two in a row in the Super Pro Trucks when he topped the Repo Joe 20 for his track -leading fourth win of the season. Defending champion Roger Turbush, who has been snake bitten in his title defense season of 2011, jumped out front from the pole when the race took the green flag with Frank Dumicich Sr. giving chase for the first lap before Dave Koenig made a pass for the position. Koenig, who came to the race as the point leader was all over Roger for the race lead and on lap 10 entering the first turn he dove low but when he did his truck got sideways and eventually spun drawing a yellow flag. That turn of events put Chris Turbush, who had just passed Mike Albasini for third, up to second and it would be the two brothers who slugged it out for the win. As the duo took the white flag it appeared as though Roger would end his string of horrid luck but then suddenly exiting the second turn his truck lost power, brother Chris with nowhere to go got into the idle machine and drove to the race lead and eventual win in the Bill Lyons Equipment Sales Chevy. Mike Albasini of Flushing who was all over the Turbush brothers in the closing laps was runner-up in the Hollis Court Collision Chevy, while Frank Dumicich Jr. of E. Quogue drove his Teddy Bear Graphics Chevy to a third place finish and with that became the new point leader.
(continued)
Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, Ct had to withstand a late race challenge from fellow NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regular and current point leader Todd Szegedy Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway before he could lay claim to the victory in the annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 by Repo Joe. The $1,600 triumph was especially sweet for Silk's Calverton, L.I. based car owners Ed & Connie Partridge who were very close to "Charging" Charlie Jarzomebk throughout his racing career.
"The Fancy Farmer" Dave Brigati set the fast time with a lap of 11.754 earning $100 from Brigandi Brothers Automotive but when Dave was the first to pull from the hat in the redraw among the top six from time, he drew sixth while Ronnie Silk and Tom Rogers Jr. drew the front row for the 28-car field. On the initial start Silk powered his TS Haulers Chevy into the early race lead while Rogers tried to make a run on the outside for the lead. The duo renewed acquaintances from their fantastic battle in the 2010 NASCAR HoF 100 at Riverhead and several early race caution flags set-up double file restarts. During those restarts Tom would try and power his way by Ronnie for the lead but would have to tuck in behind the leader eventually. With 13 laps in the books another restart was on the horizon and this time Howie Brode, the defending race winner of the 77, slipped under Rogers for second and he quickly set his sights on Silk for the lead. An extended green flag run allowed Silk a chance to pull away slightly over Brode and Rogers who were both under attack from Todd Szegedy who soon passed Rogers for third.
On lap 44 disaster struck second place Howie Brode when he was clipped suddenly by a car he was lapping sending him into a spin off turn four and drawing a yellow flag and resetting the top three with Ronnie Silk remaining the race leader while Todd Szegedy and Tom Rogers ran second and third. When the race resumed the two WMT regulars would indeed be the class of the field as they darted away from Rogers and fourth place Dave Brigati allowing them to settle the race lead and victory among themselves. Just moments after receiving the two to go signal, Szegedy who shadowed Silk, once he came to second made an attempt on the outside of the race leader exiting the second turn, hoping his move would stick on the outside entering turn three, but Silk was having none of it and warded off the challenge.
At the finish it was Ronnie Silk scoring his second career Riverhead Raceway win backing up his 2010 NASCAR HoF victory and more importantly will go into this Saturday night's Lighthouse Mission 200 by Baldwin Automotive 200 on a roll. "I have to thank Ed & Connie Partridge for the opportunity to drive their car, I know this race was a special one for them being close with Charlie" Silk noted in victory lane as he was flanked by NASCAR's Jerry Cook and Barbara & Jim Cromarty. When asked if his team could learn anything for the 200 this week even though the track tire and WMT are different, Silk admitted, "not too much, but my crew chief Tommy Grasso and this team I'm sure took some notes that will get us back here in seven days".
Todd Szegedy of Ridgefield, Ct was runner-up in his Wisk Laundry Detergent Ford, while Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue rolled across the line third in his Jessup Landscaping Chevy. Dave Brigati of Calverton placed fourth in the 77 while the drive of the race could very well have been Howie Brode of East Islip who in the final 33-laps of the race charged his way back to a fifth place finish.
Arne Pedersen of Mastic Beach notched his third Figure Eight win of 2011 when he topped the Repo Joe 20. Roger Maynor took advantage of a rare front row starting berth to race out to the early race lead with Pedersen making a bold move to come from third to second. As the field started the third lap another rare occurrence for Roger Maynor unfolded when his car lost third gear in the right hand turn forcing him high for a moment and that was all Arne Pedersen needed to take the race lead in his Seatuck Fish Dodge. With Pedersen out front, Roger Maynor was able to make a quick recovery dropping his car down into second gear chasing the eventual race winner to the checkered flag. For Arne Pedersen it was his 7th career victory and for Roger Maynor of Bay Shore in the Barrasso & Sons Mason Supplies Toyota his runner-up finish means his winless streak that dates back to August 22nd, 2009 remains intact. Third place money went to the returning Ken Hyde Jr. of Medford who raced his way from an 11th place starting spot to finish third in the Maples Bar of Manorville entry.
20-year old Charger talent CJ Lehmann of Mastic Beach came into his own in the Repo Joe 20 as he rode the outside lane to reclaim the lead he had lost to Frank Dumicich Jr. three laps prior to score his second career win. After Frank Dumicich Jr. led the first lap CJ Lehmann was able to slip by on the second circuit to take control of the race which had an extended green flag run early, allowing Lehmann to pull away even further. However a 14th lap yellow would bunch the field up and on the ensuing restart Dumicich raced his way under a stunned Lehmann entering the first turn to take the race lead. Lehmann didn't let this get in his way however as he pulled up his work boots and drove to the outside of Dumicich to reclaim the race lead as the field got the two to go signal. Over the final two laps CJ Lehmann in the TJ Halpin's Restaurant Chevy would drive off to a hard earned victory. Second year driver Eric Zeh of Selden made a late race move to claim runner-up money in the ILS Landscaping entry, while "Radiant" Ray Minieri with some late race moves of his own placed third in the Mr Beery's Pub Pontiac.
Rob Bader of Holtsville came to the Repo Joe 20 Blunderbust feature event hoping to end what he claimed to be an eight race slump he was mired in and when the race concluded Bader ended the skid with his first victory of 2011. Brandon Hubbard raced his way into the early race lead and over the first half of the race it appeared the second generation driver would make his first career trip to victory lane. Bill Wegmann Jr. chased Hubbard over the first nine laps of the contest but as the race hit the halfway mark its complexion would change in a hurry. Hubbard and Wegmann drove into some thick lapped traffic down the back stretch and into the third and fourth corner which was made worse by a car slowing up high with a flat tire. As he sat third in the running order Rob Bader in his MoMo's Sports Bar Chevy seized the moment and in one clean sweeping move raced his way from third to the race lead passed a surprised Hubbard and Wegmann. Over the final half of the race Rob Bader raced away to victory, his first since September 11th of last year and he now hopes to start a winning streak to replace his self proclaimed slump. Brandon Hubbard of Mastic was runner-up in the Hubbard's Repair Shop Buick, while Tom Pickerell of Huntington drove from 11th to finish third in his Premier Utility Services Chevy.
Chris Turbush of Riverhead made it two in a row in the Super Pro Trucks when he topped the Repo Joe 20 for his track -leading fourth win of the season. Defending champion Roger Turbush, who has been snake bitten in his title defense season of 2011, jumped out front from the pole when the race took the green flag with Frank Dumicich Sr. giving chase for the first lap before Dave Koenig made a pass for the position. Koenig, who came to the race as the point leader was all over Roger for the race lead and on lap 10 entering the first turn he dove low but when he did his truck got sideways and eventually spun drawing a yellow flag. That turn of events put Chris Turbush, who had just passed Mike Albasini for third, up to second and it would be the two brothers who slugged it out for the win. As the duo took the white flag it appeared as though Roger would end his string of horrid luck but then suddenly exiting the second turn his truck lost power, brother Chris with nowhere to go got into the idle machine and drove to the race lead and eventual win in the Bill Lyons Equipment Sales Chevy. Mike Albasini of Flushing who was all over the Turbush brothers in the closing laps was runner-up in the Hollis Court Collision Chevy, while Frank Dumicich Jr. of E. Quogue drove his Teddy Bear Graphics Chevy to a third place finish and with that became the new point leader.
(continued)