Track: Riverhead Raceway (NY)
Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
Winners: Reid Halpin (Bandolero Bandits); Ben Morabito (Bandolero Outlaws); Chase Van Houten (Legends)
News Nuggets: This was Chase’s first Legends win of 2023 at Riverhead, which was the second annual Sara Sylvester INEX Legend Race Car National Qualifier 50. It was Reid’s fourth Bandits win of 2023, and Ben’s fifth Outlaws 2023 victory.
Photo credit: track provided
Story and Results as provided by the track.
The 2nd annual Sara Sylvester INEX Legend Race Car National Qualifier 50 would provide many twists and turns during the event. When all was said and done rising talent Chase Van Houten of Wading River took home the victory, his first of 2023 and second career triumph. Championship rivals Jeff Farruggia Jr. and Richie Davidowitz ran at the front of the field early, with Farruggia leading until lap 13 before being overtaken by Davidowitz. Richie would then lead the contest until lap 22 when he was passed by Joey Braun for the top spot, as Joey was seeking his fourth win of the year. However, with less than ten laps to go things heated up at the front. A restart was needed after a lap 42 angle off turn two. When the race resumed Bruan led Van Houten for a lap before Chase took the lead with a textbook pass exiting the second turn. One lap later Braun’s night went south when he and Brad Van Houten got together entering the first turn. When the race resumed to start the 44th lap Chase Van Houten had pressure from Jason Castaldo who ran to the outside in close quarters. Those close quarters got too close as Castaldo caught the wall up the backstretch ending his run for the win. One final restart was in the making for leader Chase Van Houten who now had Riely O’Keefe, who drove from 25th into contention, spun and had to come from the back a second time still had a chance to take the win. However, Van Houten fired off a perfect restart and drove to victory in his Terra Vite Vineyards entry after a wild final 10-laps. O’Keefe of Manorville turned in the drive of the night for second in the Get Clear Window Cleaning racer while early leader Jeff Farruggia Jr. of Riverhead was third in the Chris Mohr Landscaping machine.
For the fourth time in 2023 Reid Halpin of Wading River came home the winner of the 15-lap Bock Auto INEX Bandolero Bandit feature. Aria Ligon broke to the early race lead and would turn in her best performance since starting her career. Aria led the first 7 laps of the tilt before Reid Halpin, who started 6th dove under her entering the third turn taking over the lead as they started the 8th lap. Once out front Halpin, the championship leader in the class hit his marks and drove the Baldwin Automotive entry to victory. Aria Ligon of Riverhead was an impressive runner-up in the Spider Web Racing machine with Mason Goodale of Riverhead third in the Riverhead Building Supply entry.
Ben Morabito of Miller Place continued his winning ways taking the 15-lap Bock Auto INEX Bandolero Outlaw feature for his fifth win of the year. Starting in the last row did not bother Morabito one bit as he quickly ducked to the inside at the drop of the green racing his way immediately to second behind early leader Phillip Alaimo. Alaimo did all he could to try and keep Morabito at bay, but Ben would put his 860 Northeast Outlaw out front on lap 3 with an outside pass. Once out front Morabito has no less than three challengers before taking the checker as Cillian Tennant, Gavin Romano and Will Sipala swapped second before the race concluded. At the conclusion Ben Morabito scored his 8th career win, tying him with Chevy Rommeney for second all-time. Sipala of Manorville was second in his JD Posillico Contracting mount with Phillip Alaimo of Miller Place third in the Alaimo Construction entry.
Legend Race Cars: 1. Chase Van Houten 2. Riely O’Keefe 3. Jeff Farruggia 4. Timmy Solomito 5. Richie Davidowitz 6. Nick Morabito 7. Christopher Coleman 8. Joey Braun 9. Ryan Lutz 10. Rodney Dowless Jr. 11. Charles Hodge 12. Ray Stulz 13. Mike Van Houten Jr. 14. Donald Doran 15. Michael Metcalf 16. Kendall Van Houten 17. Jason Castaldo 18. Brad Van Houten 19. George Tomko Jr. 20. Jim Sylvester 21. Steven Harding 22. Kim Daniel 23. Chris Sinatro 24. Robert Henninger III 25. Eric Hersey 26. Pat Moore 27. Marc Godnick
Bandolero Bandits: 1. Reid Halpin 2. Aria Ligon 3. Mason Goodale 4. Emmett Grattan 5. Christian Ryan 6. Brooke Meyer 7. Layla Quilliam 8. Blake Grattan 9. Antonio D’Alonzo 10. Jordan Ryan
Bandolero Outlaws: 1. Ben Morabito 2. Will Sipala 3. Phillip Alaimo 4. Gavin Romano 5. Cillian Tennant 6. Nick Hodge 7. Madison Tomazewski 8. Giavanna Agugliaro 9. Jayden Owens-Bader
