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Auto Racing: Young driver triumphs on Old Timers Night

Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway was a night to celebrate the rich history of Long Island stock car racing at Riverhead Raceway as well as to look toward to the future. 

In a nonstop 35-lap NASCAR Modified feature event, Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., considered by many one of the brightest young talents in the game, won his fourth feature of the year. The Old Timers night drew 15 Vintage race cars along with many racing personalities from Islip Speedway and Freeport Stadium as well as Riverhead Raceway.

Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead was second and Kyle Soper of Manorville third in a race in which the top three cars were separated by a few car lengths late in the contest. In an impressive run, John Fortin Jr. of Holtsville was fourth, staying in front of his father, John Sr., who completed the top five.

In other races:

A couple of weeks ago John Baker of Brookhaven won his first career Late Model feature quite comfortably. His second career win on Saturday was anything but easy. At the conclusion of 30 laps, with his right front fender flapping in the breeze, Baker was the first to cross the finish line. Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead was second and Mike Bologna of Melville had to settle for third.

Tommy Walkowiak of Ridge scored a Blunderbust hat trick Saturday when he won his third race in a row in a 30-lap affair. It was career win No. 57 for Walkowiak. Jack Handley Jr. of Medford took the runner-up spot, with Jim Laird Jr. of Islip Terrace third.

Dan Turbush of Riverhead continued his Super Pro Truck hot streak as he won a 30-lap main event, earning him his fifth victory of the season. Turbush drove to his 79th career win at the historic oval. Lou Maestri of Deer Park came in second. Bobby Gardner of Westbury drove from 12th to finish third in his return to racing.

Anthony Pizzo of Lake Ronkonkoma took the lead of the 75-lap, 8-Cylinder Enduro from Mike D’Orta on the 29th lap to win his second consecutive race. Mike D’Orta of Deer Park grabbed second and Sean Fitzpatrick of West Babylon drove from a 36th starting place to finish third.