Early move pays dividends for Park

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Bill Park of Manorville used an outside pole starting position and a first lap caution flag to his advantage Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway on his way to his first win of 2009 in the 35-lap NASCAR Modified feature. Three of the seven main events on the program were not determined until the final lap on a very exciting evening of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action.

On the front row for the NASCAR Modified feature, Wayne Anderson and Bill Park, who share nine track crowns between them, brought the field to Mike Boken’s green flag. As the duo completed the first lap, Park had a nose up on Anderson and that would indeed be a key moment, as a quick yellow waved while the field was in the second lap of the race. Park would be the new race leader and on the ensuing restart, Justin Bonsignore was able to slide under Anderson for second, with Chuck Steuer soon to come to third.

The top three would remain in that order for the balance of the race with Bonsignore making some moves when he could on Park, but all the while Justin had to be mindful of Chuck Steuer right behind him. On the final lap of the race, Bonsignore made his boldest challenge moving to the outside of Park entering turn three, but the defending NASCAR Modified champion was equal to the threat.

At the conclusion of the event, it was the Smithtown Nissan Chevy’s Bill Park enjoying his 28th career victory at Riverhead Raceway, to which he noted, “We had a good car tonight, better than last week for sure.” Bill admitted he was not really sure he edged out Anderson on the first lap of the race, “I guess I got him ever so slightly on that first lap.”

Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, in his second race for new sponsor, Freightliner of Long Island, was runner-up, while Chuck Steuer of Bohemia in the Northeastern Office Equipment Chevy crossed the line third. Wayne Anderson of Yaphank and John Fortin of Holtsville rounded out the top five.

The 25-lap Late Model feature event was not decided until the white flag lap when Kevin Metzger of Massapequa made an inside pass of leader Scott Kulesa to score the thrilling win. After Chris LaSpisa paced the race for the first three circuits. Scott Kulesa moved out front with an inside pass in turn three. Two laps later, Metzger also used the inside lane to pass LaSpisa for second in turn two and the chase was on. Just when it appeared Scott Kulesa would post his second win of the season. Kevin Metzger not only reeled the leader in, but also as they raced off turn four for the white flag Metzger emerged with the race lead. Over the final lap. Kevin, steering the Axel Anderson Inc. entry, was able to race to his 11th career victory. Scott Kulesa of Georgetown, Massachusetts, was able to hold on for runner-up money in the Ranco Sand & Stone Pontiac, with Peter “Buzzy” Eriksen of Baldwin third in the Aces Landscaping machine.

Ninety-six and counting for Roger Maynor of Bay Shore in Figure Eight competition where he is now three-for-three in 2009. Early in the race, Ken Hyde Sr. and Mike Mujsce battled for the race and, indeed, battled was the operative word. Once again, the two, who have a history, made contact with Hyde spinning and Mujsce sent to the rear of the field. That moved Arne Pedersen to the lead on lap four, but just one lap later Roger Maynor moved by for the race in the Edward Horton Builders Ford. With many races still remaining in 2009, the chances of Roger eclipsing the century mark in wins before the end of the season is starting to look realistic. Arne Pedersen of Moriches settled for second in the Ralph’s Italian Ices entry, while Ralph Tasso of Bohemia placed third in the Royal Star Landscaping Chevy.

Defending Charger champion Chris Turbush of Riverhead is officially on a roll once again with a clean sweep in the 30-lap Charger contest. In time trials, Chris was quickest with a lap of 13.393 and in the redraw would pick the pole. Needless to say, at the throw of the green flag, Chris moved right into the lead in the Carpet Express Pontiac and the story of the race, as the laps clicked off would be for second place as an intense battle between Dan Turbush and Chris McGuire developed. For nearly the entire race McGuire put the pressure on “Dynamite” Dan, testing him high and low lap after lap and finally on lap 26 McGuire made the pass, but it would be too late and Chris Turbush drove to his second consecutive win. Chris McGuire of Shirley would finish second in the Gershow Recycling Ford with Tom Anderson of Medford making a late race charge for third in the Cliff Rendezvous Restaurant racer.

Hands down, the best lap of the evening belonged to the Blunderbust division as the final lap saw three changes for the lead with Rob Bader of Holtsville coming home the winner in a thriller. The 20-lap tilt was a non-stop affair with Matt Pepitone taking the lead from Scott Sepe on the second lap. Matt, seeking his first career win, would surrender the lead to Tom Pickerell on lap 7 when Tom made an inside pass exiting turn four.