Bandoleros raced on Wednesday, July 31, at Riverhead Raceway in New York. Feature winners were Daxx Halpin (Beginner Bandoleros), Reid Halpin (Bandits), and Will Sipala (Outlaws). Story and results below, as provided by the track.
For the second time in four days, Will Sipala of Manorville won the 15-lap Bock Auto Bandolero Outlaw feature. Sipala broke to the lead at the throw of the green, Thomas Grattan gave chase over the first two laps. Tucker Buck made his way by Grattan on lap 3 but that would be as close as he’d get to eventual race winner Sipala in the JD Posillico Contracting Outlaw. Bock of East Hampton in the Bock Auto entry was runner-up with Michael Cherry of Patchogue third.
Defending Bock Auto Bandolero Bandit champion Reid Halpin of Wading River knew he had to get to the lead as early as he could if he was going to avoid any additional racing misfortune this season. After an all-night trip home from Charlotte, NC, Halpin drove from fifth to the race lead on the first lap of the contest executing his plan. Aria Ligon chased Halpin over the first 5 laps before she was passed by most recent winner John Alaimo. As the race drew closer to conclusion Alaimo glued himself to the back bumper of Halpin with Reid in the Florida Connection Bandit taking his first win of 2024, 5th of his career. Alaimo of Miller Place brought the Turf King entry home second, while Tyler Oxee of Pelham turned in a stellar performance for a third-place tally in the North Fork Sanitation racer.
Another driver making things exciting with a final lap pass for a victory was Daxx Halpin of Wading River in the 10-lap Bick Auto Bandolero Beginner event. Newcomer Mackenzie Ulmet lead the first 9-laps of the contest after starting at the front. Halpin winner on opening day once to second had the task of erasing a comfortable lead Ulmet had built. Halpin was within striking distance just after taking the white flag. As the leaders exited the second corner a lapped car awaited, Ulmet went to the outside, Halpin to the inside. In the end Daxx Halpin made the winning choice in his Tommy Baldwin Racing machine. Ulmet of Riverhead was runner-up in the Mark Davis Builders entry, Emily Gatz of Riverhead scored a career best third in the TS Haulers entry.
Bandolero Outlaws: 1. Will Sipala 2. Tucker Bock 3. Michael Barry 4. Thomas Grattan 5. Madison Tomaszewski 6. Giavanna Agugliaro 7. Kix Bock 8. Madison White 9. Grace Cheslak
Bandolero Bandits: 1. Reid Halpin 2. John Alaimo 3. Tyler Oxee 4. Mason Goodale 5. Emmett Grattan 6. Antonio D’Alonzo 7. Aria Ligon 8. Brooke Meyer 9. Layla Quilliam 10. Blake Grattan
Bandolero Beginners: 1. Daxx Halpin 2. Mackenzie Ulmet 3. Emily Gatz 4. Alexis Gatz 5. Wyatt Goodale
Photos: Halpin brothers (team photos)
