Sports

Auto Racing: Rogers is back, and he’s in victory lane, too

RIVERHEAD RACEWAY ROUNDUP

Tom Rogers Jr. returned to the race track, and he returned in a big way.

In his first start since serving a five week suspension, the Patchogue driver made a triumphant return to the NASCAR Modified ranks at Riverhead Raceway on Saturday, winning a 35-lap Whelen All-American Series feature event. It was Rogers’ third victory of the season, ninth in the past two seasons and 23rd overall for his career.

Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., was second in the race a standing room only crowd. Jason Agugliaro of Islip placed third. The division’s points leader, Howie Brode of East Islip, was fourth and Dave Brigati of Calverton claimed fifth.

“We were really good early on, but then I abused the right rear a bit and the car fell off but I guess so did Ryan’s,” Rogers said. “We had a good battle early. He’s fun to race with.”

With three Riverhead Raceway point-paying races left in the season, Brode holds a comfortable 86-point cushion over Timmy Solomito of Islip, 382 to 296. Preece is third with 287 points.

In other races:

Ken Hyde Jr. of Medford posted his first Figure Eight win of the year in a 15-lap feature event. Arne Pedersen of Mastic Beach was second, and his brother, Scott Pedersen of Shirley, was third.

Chris Turbush of Riverhead scored his 35th career win in a 20-lap Charger main event. It was his third win of the season. Eric Zeh of Selden, who is locked in a tight battle with Turbush for the championship, made some late-race moves to finish second in the race. Chad Churilla of Hauppauge was third.

It had taken Legend Race Car talent Vinny Delaney a few years to win his first career main event. Now the Holtsville resident can lay claim to two feature event wins in one month. He took the lead on the first turn and never relinquished it during the 20-lap event, securing his second win of the year. Brendon Bock of Franklin Square was second, in front of third-place Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches.

Michael Rommeney of Maspeth took the win over his father-in-law, Dennis Scott of Bay Shore, in a hard-hitting School Bus Demolition Derby.

A fireworks display pleased the crowd as part of an “I Love America Night” celebration that included patriotic music and a candle-lighting ceremony.