Sports

Riverhead Raceway: With large crowd watching, Schneider drives to first win

With a near capacity crowd on hand Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway, David Schneider of Northport took the lead on Lap 5 of the 40-lap NASCAR Modified feature and drove off for his first career Whelen All American Series victory. Among the interested onlookers was NASCAR chief executive officer Brian France.

Undaunted by the presence of the hard-charging Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead, a 45-time career winner, on his rear spoiler, Schneider held on for the triumph.

“This is just so awesome to win my first NASCAR Modified race here tonight in front of all these fans and to beat Tommy makes it even more special,” said Schneider.

Rogers was second, Dave Brigati of Calverton crossed the line third, championship leader John Fortin Sr. of Holtsville finished fourth and Kyle Soper of Manorville took fifth.

Jarrod Hayes of Calverton doesn’t make frequent starts with the Late Models, but when he does he is capable of dominating a race. That is just what he did in Saturday’s 50-lapper. He led from start to finish for his 14th career Late Model win, moving him into sole possession of eighth on the all-time win list. Defending champion Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead finished second. The championship leader, Soper, was third.

There may be no hotter driver at Riverhead Raceway these days than Dave Brigati of Calverton. The defending Modified Crate champion won his fifth race in eight starts in the class. It was his eighth career win. Dennis Krupski and Jack Orlando, both of Calverton, were the next two finishers. Orlando raced his way from a 12th starting spot.

Rogers picked up a milestone 30th career Figure Eight win. Altogether, he has won 78 times at Riverhead Raceway. Tom Ferrara of Patchogue claimed second before Gary Fritz Jr. of Mastic Beach drove in third.

Brigati finished on top in a 20-lap Super Pro Truck feature event, earning his second win of 2017 and the 11th of his career in the class. Championship leader Owen Grennan of Glen Cove made his way to second. Jack Handley Jr. of Medford was third.

Former 4/6-Cylinder Enduro champion Paul Wojcik of Centereach gained his first win of the year in a 30-lap Mini Stock race. Mike Mujsce Jr. of Hampton Bays raced in second. Championship leader Bryan Kelly of Aquebogue crossed the line third.

Dominick Ranieri of East Northport scored an 8-Cylinder Enduro win as he jumped from the outside pole to lead all 40 laps. Justin Ferreri of Hicksville and Kevin Coyle of East Meadow were second and third, respectively.

Kevin Rommeney of Maspeth topped his brother, Michael Rommeney of Bohemia, to win a hard-hitting School Bus Demolition Derby.