Brigati Essentially Clinches Riverhead Eagle Auto Mall Mod Crate Title With Labor Day Luau Triumph
“The Fancy Farmer” Dave Brigati of Calverton took a giant step towards the first ever Eagle Auto Mall Modified Crate championship when he won the 40-lap Labor Day Luau Sunday afternoon at Riverhead Raceway. With just one points paying race left in 2016 Brigati’s 25 point lead over Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills coupled with an average car count of 10 in the division essentially makes Brigati the champion. The only fly in the ointment for Dave would be a field of 13 or better for the points finale September 17th. Despite a gloomy weather forecast that predicted heavy wind & rain, bright sunny skies greeted some 140 plus race cars and enthusiastic race fans.
Right from qualifying the Eagle Auto Mall Modified Crate action was ultra competitive with Dillon Steuer of Bohemia barely edging out CJ Lehmann of Shirley for fast time by 1/1000th of a second, 12.733 to 12.734. Steuer then drew the #1 pill signifying a straight up start for the 40-lap main event. At the drop of the green Steuer moved out front with both Lehmann and Dave Brigati filling his mirror. With Steuer out front by a nose, Lehmann and Brigati tussled for second with Brigati eventually prevailing. A 6th lap restart would change the complexion of the race when Steuer in an effort to hold off Brigati to the outside got loose going into the first turn and spun drawing yet another quick yellow. The front row was nor Brigati and Lehmann and they had a brief fight for the lead for two lap with Lehmann out front by a nose when another caution flag waved on the 9th lap.
As the race got ready to go back to green Lehmann’s car balked on the restart with a drive line issue and he dropped to the infield allowing Dave Brigati to motor out front with Peter Bertuccio now second after starting the race from 10th. Bertuccio was able to stay with striking distance of Brigati at first but the championship leader did get away some. Meanwhile Steuer was on the march from the back of the pack and he made his way by Bertuccio with ten laps remaining in the race for second. The final portion of the race found Steuer draped all over the back bumper of Brigati and at times he looked to execute a crossover move while at other times he simply tried to drive to the outside and make a run for the lead the old fashioned way.
In the end however Dave Brigati in the Quest Machining & Fabricating Chevy would prevail for his 4th win of the season. “I got to tell you I had to work to hold off that 14-year driver (Steuer). He’s going places for sure”. As to his 2016 campaign Dave admitted, “we’re just having fun and it’s been a good year. We are always in post race tech in all three classes we run (Crates, Super Pro Trucks & NASCAR Modifieds) which means we were in the top three. I couldn’t do it without my guys, we have the best team I’ve ever had for sure”.
Dillon Steuer of Bohemia was runner-up in the Northeastern Office Equipment Chevy while Dennis Krupski of Calverton wheeled his Gadzinski Insurance entry to a fine third place tally.
Greg Zaleski of Jamesport scored the victory in the 50-lap Grand Enduro taking advantage of misfortune that struck early race leader Brandon Hubbard of Mastic Beach. From his pole starting berth Hubbard races his way to the early race lead with Glenn Simonin in tow. In search of his first career win Hubbard set a torrid pace early on not only opening up a big lead but also getting away from Simonin in the process. Just as the halfway signal was displayed Zaleski who started the race from the 9th position made his way by Simonin for second. Once there Greg now had to attempt to reel in race leader Hubbard. Then suddenly on lap 29 a lapped car lost a lower radiator hose right in front of Brandon Hubbard and the hopes of a career first win were dashed with a quick spin in the fluid. That moved the Peconic Sign Company Monte Carlo of Greg Zaleski out front for good as he led the remainder of the race. Brain McCormack of Holbrook was runner-up in the Big Mack’s Towing Chevy while Jimmy “The Kid” White Jr. of Southampton was third in the Busy Bee Pest Control machine.
It had been some three years since former 8-Cylinder Enduro standout Walter Stroud of Yaphank had raced an Enduro but that all changed Sunday when he strapped into a 4/6-Truck owned by his Uncle Gene Burbol. It would be Burbol to pace the race when it got underway with RJ Gage giving chase for the first two laps. Stroud who started the race from 7th made his way to second behind his Uncle who had already built up a fairly sized lead. Burbol would only continue to build that lead before disaster struck later in the race when he veered into the infield with mechanical woes. That put Walter Stroud out front for good in the Gene’s 112 Service Chevy with the only obstacle in Walter’s path to victory would be one he’d create. By his own admission Stroud noted he was “hot dogging it” in the final turn when he spun in turn four. Thankfully he had a big lead and the presence of mind to drop the truck into reverse to cross the transponder line backwards for the win! Don Nelson Jr. of Rocky Point was runner-up in the Abner Tree Experts Chevy while Kenny King of West Islip enjoyed a stellar performance with a third place finish in the United Exhaust Shop racer.
8-Cylinder Enduro talent Mike D’Orta of Deer Park enjoyed winning his first career race so much he decided he do it again in the Labor Day Luau 60. D’Orta in his Mustang Magic Chevy started the race from the ninth starting spot and by the time they hit the 15th lap Mike would take the lead from early pacesetter Kevin Coyle. Once out front D’Orta never looked back working the lapped traffic to perfection to score his second win of 2016. Kevin Coyle of East Meadow was runner-up in his self funded machine while Sean Fitzpatrick of West Babylon was third in the Lakewood Used Auto Parts Chevy.
Veteran Steve “The Pitbull” Trimboli of Freeport scored the win in the 60-lap 4/6-Cylinder Car Enduro after a spirited battle with longtime rival Joe Warren Jr. of Ridge. Warren would move by Scott Setek on the 2nd lap for the race lead while Trimboli made his way to 3rd on lap 3 after starting the race 11th. Biding his time and perhaps allowing Warren to use up his car Trimboli stated to make his moves and on the 40th lap put the Pit Bull Motors Mercedes Benz out front. Once the cagey driver was out front he never looked back in route to winning a Labor Day Luau trophy. Joe Warren Jr. was runner-up while Brandon Esposito of Farmingville crossed the line third after starting the race from 16th.
The 60-lap Gut & Go Enduro was a barn burner with Brandon Esposito taking the lead from his good friend Joe Warren Jr. with just over two laps remaining for the popular win. Warren steering a Blaze Fuel Oil car loaned to him by Tommy Walkowiak led nearly the entire race and seemed to be on his way to another win. However Esposito who started deep in the field from 29th just kept digging making his way towards the race leader. Warren rather that be conservative would be agressive with lapped traffic and that may have played a role in Esposito reeling him in. As the field came to the two to go signal Brandon caught Joe by surprise and drove by for the race lead and subsequent victory. Preston Prydatko of East Islip had a solid outing for third place money behind Esposito and Warren.
“Cheesebox” Michael Rommeney of Bohemia won the 20-lap Mini 8 Enduro. Rommeney and Brandon Esposito were dicing for the win when the challengers hood blew up on his windshield ending his race. Rommeney would go unchallenged from that point forward for the win. Cody Triola of Bay Shore was runner-up
Modified Crates: 1. Dave Brigati 2. Dillon Steuer 3. Dennis Krupski 4. Peter Bertuccio 5. Terry Stiles 6. Bobby Gardner 7. Jay Hansen 8. AJ DeSantis 9. Dylan Slepian 10. CJ Lehmann
Grand Enduro (top 5) 1. Greg Zaleski 2. Brian McCormack 3. Jimmy White Jr. 4. Dave Antos 5. Glenn Simonin
Truck Enduro (top 5) 1. Walter Stroud 2. Don Nelson Jr. 3. Kenny King 4. Pete Rabaglia 5. Gary Voight
8-Cylinder Enduro (top 5) 1. Mike D’Orta 2. Kevin Coyle 3. Sean Fitzpatrick 4. Dominic Ranieri 5. Danielle Centonze
4/6-Cylinder Car Enduro (top 5) 1. Steve Trimboli 2. Joe Warren Jr. 3. Brandon Esposito 4. Ed Fontana 5. Paul Pimpinella
Gut & Go Enduro (top 5) 1. Brandon Esposito 2. Joe warren Jr. 3. Perston Prydatko 4. Ryan Warren 5. Woot Lawrence
Mini 8 Enduro: Winner- Michael Rommeney
Source: Bob Finan/RR PR