RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Entering the 2022 NASCAR Modified race season at Riverhead Raceway, Jason Agugliaro was working to put together his own race car, but knew he’d get a very late start to his season.
Enter car owner Joe Ambrose, who had a seat available in his potent machine and Saturday night the new pairing found victory lane, winning the 50-lap feature event. It was Agugliaro’s first win since 2016, having stepped away from driving to focus on a sober lifestyle.
Chris Turbush and Agugliaro made up the front row of the 17-car grid with Agugliaro leading the first two laps while Turbush rode the outside trying to build momentum for a pass.
A minor incident on lap 9 drew a yellow flag and set up a double file restart. When the field was being called to order Turbush chose the outside groove for the restart feeling that’s where he got the lead and that would be where he’d keep it. As the field hit the go zone Turbush didn’t fire off well and Agugliaro on the inside reclaimed his earlier advantage.
As the race progressed Turbush stayed right in the tire tracks of Agugliaro hoping he’s get another restart opportunity. On lap 33 his wish came to be as Jack Handley drew a caution with a single car spin and Chris was now licking his chops.
As the field lined up for the restart with 17 laps to go Aguglairo chose the top moving Turbush to the inside, a move some questioned at the time. However Agugliaro knew exactly where he wanted to restart and when the race resumed Jason nailed another perfect restart to remain out front and drive to his 4th career win.Â
“First off I have to thank God for another day of sobriety” Jason said upon exiting his Cesspool Pros Chevy, “I was a mess for awhile and it could have gone either way”. As for the opportunity to with Joe Ambrose Jason offered, “Joe has won a lot of races here with Tommy (Rogers), he chose me to drive his car, believed in me not just as a driver but as a person, I can’t thank him enough”. The happy winner concluded, “my wife Theresa and daughter GiGi have stood by me with all this racing stuff, between me and Gigi’s Bandolero, I know there are probably times my wife would rather be somewhere else, she is my rock”.
Runner-up Chris Turbush Looked back on his race in the Mike Smith backed machine two ways.
“Just finishing is like a win tonight and to come home second is great” Turbush admitted, “but I gotta work on my restarts” .
Michael Rutkoski drove from a 8th starting berth to come home third in the Stakey’s Pumpkin Farm Chevy
“We got this car going good now, just in time for Kyle (Ellwood) to drive it next week in the Bubba 150, I have a wedding commitment” Rutkoski sheepishly admitted.Â
Allan Pedersen won the figure eight race, with Mike Benton winning the legends event.
Dave Antos earned the street stock event, while the mini stocks went to Chris Olivari.Â
Joey Palmeri Jr. outlasted all comers to win the 4/6-Cylinder Demolition Derby is his Kidder Glass machine.