Rogers secures his second modified title

With a fifth-place finish at Riverhead Raceway on Saturday night, Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue sewed up the NASCAR modified championship, giving him two titles in the class, his first coming in 2004. Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, the leading rookie driver on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, won the 35-lap modified feature race.

Rogers praised his team for its efforts. “My guys, most of whom have been with me for my figure eights and late model championships, stepped it up this year,” he said. “After last year I had something to prove and I think we did that with this championship.”

Bonsignore crossed the line first for his third career victory. John Fortin of Holtsville was the runner-up, and although he didn’t win the Riverhead title, he still leads the New York State rankings for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Bill Park of Manorville was third,

Just minutes after celebrating his modified title, Rogers jumped into a Chevy and drove to his second figure eight win of the season, a 15-lap contest. In doing so, he posted his 16th career win in the class. Scott Pedersen of Shirley moved past his brother, Arne, for the points lead with a second-place finish, giving him a four-point lead going into Saturday’s double-point race. Ken Hyde Jr. of Medford was third.

Shawn Patrick of Brightwaters was a late-model winner for the first time since 2004, winning a 25-lap affair.