Sports

Auto Racing: Bonsignore roars to victory in Cromarty Cup 50

COURTESY PHOTO | Justin Bonsignore of West Islip outraced a friend to finish first in the Cromarty Cup 50 at Riverhead Raceway.

RIVERHEAD RACEWAY

The reigning Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified champion, Justin Bonsignore of West Islip, made a triumphant return to his old stomping grounds on Saturday when he grabbed first place in the Cromarty Cup 50, holding off his friend, Shawn Solomito, in the process. As the checkered flag waved, accompanied by a few drops of rain, Bonsignore collected his seventh career victory.

Solomito of Islip might not have won his second straight Cromarty Cup, but his runner-up finish could nonetheless be deemed a success. He is now tied with Howie Brode for the division points lead with 290 each. Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., wound up third, with Timmy Solomito of Islip fourth and Ron Silk of Norwalk, Conn., fifth.

In other races:

The 15-lap Figure Eight feature came down to another battle between Roger Maynor of Bay Shore and defending champion Arne Pedersen of Mastic Beach, with Maynor prevailing for his 106th career win. “Somebody was losing some water or oil,” Maynor said. “My car seemed just a bit better than Arne’s in the fluid and here we are.” Pedersen ended up second. Ken Hyde Jr. of Medford rallied for a third-place finish.

One week after coming close to his first career Charger win, Eric Zeh of Selden was able to grab a victory in a 20-lap main event. A rookie, Cory Midgett of East Hampton, came in second. Ray Minieri of Bay Shore placed third.

Almost four years to the day since he suffered burns in a Demolition Derby at Riverhead Raceway, Jimmy White Jr. of Southampton was flown over the track in a medevac helicopter. On Saturday he completed his amazing comeback with a hard-fought victory in a Blunderbust 20-lapper. It was his first career win. Tommy Walkowiak of Ridge was second. Ed Mistretta of New Hyde Park made a few late-race moves to claim third.

The 20-lap Legend Race Car feature was a battle of old school versus new school and, in the end, youth was served as Brendon Bock of Franklin Square notched his second win of the season over Paul Dodorico of Miller Place, who had to settle for second. Defending champion Chris Young of Calverton finished third.

Andrew Fowler of Wantagh turned in a winning performance in a Four-Cylinder Demolition Derby. The event, which ran in part during a quick shower, saw Jason Savoy of Lake Panamoka turn on his side but recover from that to challenge Fowler.

The evening ended with a fireworks show that was preceded by nature’s own fireworks in the form of a huge lightning display off in the distance.