Sports

Auto Racing: Solomito drives race worthy of an Anderson car

RIVERHEAD RACEWAY

When it was announced in late February that Timmy Solomito of Islip would drive five time Riverhead Raceway champion Wayne Anderson’s NASCAR Modified in 2013, Solomito was quick to say, “We are going to try and win some races and perhaps the track title.”

It took Solomito all of three races to attain one of those goals. He swept the Twin 30s for the NASCAR Modifieds Saturday night, earning his eighth career win.

“I can’t say enough about this team,” Solomito said after exiting the car and getting a bear hug from his car owner, Anderson.

Howie Brode of East Islip was the runner-up, with Shawn Solomito of Islip third. Eric Goodale of Riverhead drove from 14th to finish fourth with Tom Rogers Jr. of Patchogue credited with fifth after NASCAR officials deemed a late-race pass by Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., was too low on the track, moving Preece back a spot to sixth.

Shawn Solomito leads Brode in the division points, 110 to 108, with Preece third at 100.

Shawn Patrick of Brightwaters stole the show in the 25-lap Late Model main event, leading from wire to wire in a non-stop race to post his sixth career win. Roger Oxee of Peconic was second and Mike Bologna of Melville was third.

Jimmy White Jr. of Southampton notched his fourth career Blunderbust victory when he won a 20-lap feature event after taking the lead just prior to the halfway mark of the race. Jack Handley Jr. of Medford took second. Brandon Hubbard enjoyed a solid race, coming in third.

After an early race scare, Lou Maestri of Deer Park made it two wins in a row in Super Pro Truck action as he won a 30-lap main event for his 26th career triumph. Following Maestri, the all-time leading winner in the class, was second-place Erin Dumicich-Solomito of East Quogue and third-place Frank Dumicich Sr.

The Legend Race Car season is quickly starting to look like the 2012 campaign. Kyle Ellwood of Riverhead won his second straight race, a 20-lapper. Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches was second, with Kyle Soper of Manorville third. After the race it was disclosed that a sample of Ellwood’s tires was being sent to a facility for testing.

Starting dead last in the 28-car field didn’t deter Christian Conklin of Flanders from taking the win in the 60-lap 4/6-Cylinder Car Enduro. Jeff Dotzel of Kingwood, W. Va., was second. George Davis of Patchogue claimed third.

Matt Mulqueen of Levittown outlasted his two teammates, the father and son combination of Richard and Andrew Fowler of Wantagh, to take the win in a hard hitting 4-Cylinder Demolition Derby.