Sports

Auto Racing: Brode’s late move wins 77-lap race

RIVERHEAD RACEWAY ROUNDUP

Howie Brode of East Islip make a late-race pass with 10 laps remaining to win the annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 NASCAR Modified race on Saturday at Riverhead Raceway.It was his third Whelen All-American Series feature win of the season.

After taking a victory lap, Brode choked back tears as he rolled into victory lane. “Even though we dropped back to third for a bit, this car was good and I just kept digging,” he said.

Afterward, Brode was presented with a trophy with a photo of all three drivers the race is named after. With his voice cracking, Brode said, “I think all three of these greats were riding with me tonight.”

Ron Silk of Norwalk, Conn., was the runner-up. Timmy Solomito of Islip scored a solid third-place finish. Dave Sapienza of Riverhead came in fourth, with teammate Dave Brigati of Calverton completing the top five.

In other races:

Scott Pedersen survived the sultry heat top triumph in a Figure Eight event that ran 13 of a scheduled 15 laps. Pedersen, the 2010 track champion, was named the race winner with the race checkered do to a time limit. Roger Maynor of Bay Shore moved up from ninth place to finish second. The defending champion, Mike Mujsce of Quogue, took third.

Ray Minieri of Bay Shore claimed victory in a 20-lap Charger race. Chris Turbush of Wading River may have been would motor off to his 35th career win but had other ideas. The two tested tough veterans put on a great side-by-side race for the lead over the final six laps. With two laps to go, Minieri made an inside pass of Turbush and stayed in front to score his second win of the year and 17th of his career.

“Chris and I ran hard but clean for the win,” Minieri said. “I hope the fans enjoyed it.”

Turbush, who had to settle for second, said, “I can’t recall being passed for the race lead but it was a good race.”

John Baker of Brookhaven was the third to cross the finish line.

With his AARP card tucked in his wallet, Ron Langdon of Wantagh celebrated his recent 50th birthday by winning a 20-lap Blunderbust feature event.

Tom Pickerell of Huntington dove under Langdon for the lead and was the first under the checker flag. However NASCAR officials determined that Pickerell’s last-turn pass found him under the yellow line, a decision that Pickerell agreed with in a sportsmanlike manner. That decision put Pickerell back one spot into second place, and Langdon, who began his driving career at Freeport Stadium, was declared the winner. Langdon’s car owner, Tommy Walkowiak of Ridge, finished third.

Soon to be high school senior Kyle Soper of Manorville scored his second career win in a Legend Race Cars 20-lap feature. His winning move took place when the race started. Armed with an outside pole starting spot, Soper was able to beat the pole sitter, Justin Strumpf, to the lead. Vinny Delaney of Holtsville was second, and Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches placed third.