Bandoleros were in action on Saturday, June 22, at Riverhead Raceway in New York. Winning features were Leighton Van Houten (Beginner Bandoleros), Emmett Grattan (Bandolero Bandits), and Ben Morabito (Bandolero Outlaws). Read the race recaps below by Bob Finan for Riverhead Raceway, as well as results.
In her first ever start at Riverhead Raceway, 8-year-old, third generation racer Leighton Van Houten of Wading River won the 10-lap Bock Auto Beginner Bandolero feature. Opening night winner Daxx Halpin, celebrating his 8th birthday broke to the early race lead but was soon under attack from his cousin Leighton. As the family feud exited the fourth turn to start the 4th lap. Van Houten threw her Riverhead Building Supply Bando to the outside passing Halpin for the lead and eventual victory. Halpin of Wading River was second in the Mike Van Houten Trucking mount with Leighton’s other cousin, Wyatt Goodale of Riverhead third in the GAF Roofing Bando.
No question Emmett Grattan of Southold has come into his own this season, with the driver of the Southold IGA Bando scoring his second straight Bock Auto Bandolero Bandit 15-lap victory. Aria Ligon, winner of the final two races of 2023 broke out front early but Emmett Grattan made a successful pass for the top spot entering the first turn on lap 3. Once out front, Grattan hit his marks to remain perfect this season having won both races to date. Brooke Meyer of Riverhead, another vastly improved driver came home second in the WES Trailer Sales & Service Bandit, with defending champion Reid Halpin of Wading River rallying from an early race spin to finish third in the Mike Van Houten Trucking entry.
Defending Bock Auto Bandolero Outlaw champion Ben Morabito of Miller Place by earning 10th career win Saturday became the all-time leading Bandolero winner at Riverhead Raceway, breaking a tie with former champion Darren Krantz Jr. of Huntington. After Will Sipala paced Giavanna Agugliaro over the first two cycles, Morabito made his way to second on the third lap sneaking under Agugliaro in the first corner. A Jordan Ryan spin drew a yellow flag on lap 3, with the ensuing restart all Ben Morabito needed to put the MC-11 prepared Benimax Trucking entry out front. for good. Ben is also two-for-two in ’24. Will Sipala of Manorville was second at the finish in the Riteway Automotive Center machine, while Giavanna Agugliaro of Islip scored her best Outlaw finish with third in the Cesspool Pros entry.
Bandolero Beginner: 1. Leighton Van Houten 2. Daxx Halpin 3. Wyatt Goodale 4. Mackenzie Ulmet DNS- Emily Gatz
Bandolero Bandits: 1. Emmett Grattan 2. Brooke Meyer 3. Reid Halpin 4. Mason Goodale 5. Aria Ligon 6. Antonio D’Alonzo 7. Layla Quilliam 8. John Alaimo 9. Blake Grattan 10. Christian Ryan DNS-Tyler Oxee
Bandolero Outlaws: 1. Ben Morabito 2. Will Sipala 3. Giavanna Agugliaro 4. Thomas Grattan 5. Kix Bock 6. Tucker Bock 7. Madison Tomaszewski 8. Madison White 9. Ayden Alvarado 10. Michael Berry 11. Jordan Ryan 12. Grace Cheslak
Photo credits: track video screencaps
