RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — Second-generation driver Chris Young snapped a two-plus-year winless spell Saturday night when he powered his way to victory in the Riverhead Raceway 50-lap NASCAR Modified feature event.
It was the third career win for Young, who last won on October 31, 2020.Â
High school senior Matt Brode jumped to the early lead with Owen Grennan and Dave Brigati it tow for the first lap, one lap later Grennan and Brigati swapped positions.
With the race embarking on a long green flag run, Matt Brode was able to get away from Brigati in second while Chris Young moved by Grennan for third on lap 14. While Brode was clicking off laps up front and hoping for a caution free race, Young was busy reeling in Brigati for second. On lap 35 Young rolling the outside was able to work his way around Brigati for second. Just two laps later the scenario Brode did not want to see unfold did when the caution waved on lap 37 for a rare Dylan Slepian spin. The first attempt at restarting the race after the Slepian spin quickly went south as Chris Turbush pounded the wall in the first turn after contact.
Once the track was clear the double file restart with Brode to the inside and Young to the outside unfolded. Brode held serve for the first lap but on lap 39 Young rolled the top of the track to race his way into the lead. Once back to second Brode had a quick side by side battle with Tom Rogers Jr. for second. That duel ended quickly on lap 41 when Tom Rogers car suddenly dropped fluid in turns three and four with the entire field behind Tom piling in. Luckily all those caught up remained in the race, some after pit stops during an extensive clean up. The final restart of the race would again pit Young and Brode side by side, when the green flag reappeared for the final nine circuits Chris Young was able to remain out front to secure the long-awaited return to victory lane.Â
“Between not winning since 2020, and all that speedy dry I feel like I’ve been to the desert” Young quipped afterwards, “this feels amazing, can’t thank Sendlewski Architects and Bobby Mason of Ace’s Landscaping enough for sticking by me”.Â
Matt Brode was runner-up in the Freightliner of Long Island Chevy while Dylan Slepian Hills rebounded nicely from his lap 37 spin for third in the Eastport Feeds Chevy. Michael Rutkoski and Jack Handley Jr. were fourth and fifth.
Defending Eagle Auto Mall Crate Modified champion Owen Grennan scored his second win of the season when he topped the 40-lap Miller Lite Triple Crown Series opener for the class.
Also kicking off their Miller Lite Triple Crown Series for 2023 were the Blunderbusts who went to post in a 30-lap contest with defending champion Cody Triola scoring a milestone 10th career win.
All-time leading Super Pro Truck winner Lou Maetsri notched his 38th career win Saturday in a 20-lap affair.
The hottest driver on Long Island right now is “Big Money” Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches as he won his fourth INEX Legend Race Car feature in a row Saturday.