RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – For the second straight NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race, Justin Bonsignore was celebrating in victory lane on Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway.
Competing at his home track in New York, Bonsignore dominated the early stages of the race after pacing practice and winning the Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole award in qualifying.
For the first time, infield pit stops were a factor at Riverhead, and pit strategy did play into the decision of who won the 256-lap special event, in honor of the late Ed Partridge, former owner of the track.
In the end, Bonsignore’s crew chief Ryan Stone called him to pit road when the caution flag flew at lap 182, then Bonsignore chased his way back to the front to get back to victory lane.
The win was the fourth of the season for Bonsignore, and it comes at the perfect time – as the three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion has closed the gap to just a few points in the championship standings with two races to go in the season. The victory was his 35th career, and his ninth at Riverhead – the most of all active drivers.
“It’s a shame we lost Eddie Partridge last year, but it’s unbelievable what Riverhead does each and every week to honor him,” Bonsignore said. “I’m so happy they keep the racing going for all of us. This is the best car we’ve had here, and I think we could have won it in 200 laps. Momentum is a thing and now I’ve knocked off two wins in a row.”
The Finish:
Feature (256 Laps): 1. Justin Bonsignore 2. Patrick Emerling 3. Ron Silk 4. Doug Coby 5. Eric Goodale 6. Austin Beers 7. Craig Lutz 8. Timmy Solomito 9. Kyle Soper 10. Jon McKennedy 11. Dave Sapienza 12. Tommy Catalano 13. Roger Turbush 14. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 15. Ken Heagy 16. John Beatty Jr. 17. Chris Turbush 18. Walter Sutcliffe Jr. 19. Matt Brode 20. Gary McDonald 21. Kyle Bonsignore 22. Melissa Fifield 23. JB Fortin 24. Dylan Speian 25. Donny Lia