Sports

Auto Racing: Riverhead teen races to victory

One of the youngest drivers at Riverhead Raceway emerged victorious Saturday night in the 35-lap Modified feature event. Kyle Ellwood, 18, of Riverhead completed a lifelong dream by winning the race in front of friends and family.

Ellwood and defending champion Howie Brode drew the front row for the start of the race and Ellwood wasted little time getting out in front. At the end of Lap 4, Jason Agugliaro slipped under Brode for second to challenge Ellwood for the lead. Ellwood maintained his lead to hold off his competitors and finish first.

“This is amazing,” Ellwood said after the race. “Ever since I was a really young kid I dreamed of standing here where the greats have stood before me.”

Agugliaro finished second and Brode took third. Todd Szegedy and Dave Sapienza completed the top five.
This weekend Ellwood will attempt to qualify for the Hoosier Tire 200 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event.

In the 30-lap Late Model feature, Jarrod Hayes of Calverton led wire-to-wire for the victory. Kevin Metzger of Massapequa was the runner-up and Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead was third.

The 20-lap Super Pro Truck feature came down to a photo finish. Brian McElearney of North Babylon emerged just ahead of Mark Stewart as the two raced toe to toe down the stretch. The race opened with McElearney and Roger Turbush side-by-side for 11 laps, never touching each other. Stewart, a two-time winner this year, made his late push by surging from 10th into second with two laps to go. Stewart made one last push on the outside to get in front, but McElearney held on for the victory. Stewart settled for second for a second straight week. Lou Maestri of Deer Park finished third.

In the Legends race, Brendon Bock of Franklin Square won the 20-lap feature event. The race boiled down to Bock and Richie Davidowitz, who took the lead after Lap 4. Bock eventually got the lead back. A lapped car created some havoc when Davidowitz made contact with the car and spun in the first turn, drawing a yellow flag. Kyle Soper moved into second and eventually finished that way as Bock was the winner. John Beatty Jr. of Merrick was third.

Jimmy White Jr. of Southampton won his second straight Grand Enduro, topping the 20-car field.