“Big Money” Richie Davidowitz Scores $1,500 Victory in East West Marine ‘Lil Jay Trinca Memorial

While Matt Hirschmann is know as “Big Money” in Modified racing circles Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches has also been dubbed “Big Money” for his timely wins in the Legend Race Car and Go Kart racing ranks and this past Saturday afternoon he scored his biggest payday ever when he won the East West Marine ‘Lil Jay Trinca Memorial at Riverhead Raceway and the $1,500 top prize.

The race presented by the Eastern Long Island Racing Go Kart organization on a spectacular fall day saw some 37 Senior Champ karts come out to try and make the field. Donald “Woot” Lawrence set fast time in qualifying but was DQ’D in tech as was James Hayden who clocked in second quickest. That turn of events moved Richie Davidowitz to fastest in qualifying and netted him the $100 fast time award. Richie was wheeling a kart owned by Wall Stadium racer Justin Gumley who was also competing in a Tony Power Kart Supply machine. Davidowitz tuned up for the big race in honor of ‘Lil Jay Trinca by winning a 30-lap Legend Race Car feature at Wall Stadium on October 18th.

The race was run in three segments with the first two going a distance of 15 laps each with the final run consisting of 18 laps for a total of 48 the number raced by ‘Lil Jay Trinca in honor of his racing hero Jimmie Johnson. Those on hand watched as the Senior Champ karts drafted and swapped positions all race long before Richie Davidowitz scored the big victory. Prior to this $1,500 victory Richie had also won $1,000 in a Legend Race Car triumph in a 30-lapper at Riverhead Raceway in June of 2013 and has had a penchant of winning races that pay more than the normal weekly purse hence the nickname “Big Money”

“I can’t thank Justin Gumley enough for giving me the ride in his kart” the happy winner boasted, “he along with Rich Byrne and of course my father Wally who is marking his 55th Birthday this is just so great”. Richie, a UPS employee added, “it’s an honor to win this race and I hope we made Jay and his mom Keri proud today with the show we all put on in their memory”. Prior to moving up to the Legend Race Cars at Riverhead Raceway Davidowitz like some many drivers racing today at the quarter mile got his start in the ELIR karting events.

Connecticut racer Billy Sullivan, the 2013 Trinca Memorial race winner was runner-up with NASCAR Modified/Figure Eight driver Vinny Biondolillo of Farmingville placed third. Kyle Ellwood of Riverhead a 2 time NASCAR Modified winner in 2014 was fourth while 2014 Charger champion Eric Zeh of Selden completed the top five.

Linda Solomito, John Ellwood and George Tomko Sr. would like to thank all of those who turned out for the 4th annual race in honor of ‘Lil Jay Trinca and his Mom Keri and look forward to hosting the race again in 2015.