Legends and Bandoleros raced on Saturday, July 27, at Riverhead Raceway (NY). Feature winners were Kevin Nowak (Legends), Will Sipala (Bandolero Outlaws), John Alaimo (Bandolero Bandits), and Leighton Van Houten (Beginner Bandoleros).
Story by Bob Finan and results from the track below.
Kevin Nowak of Medford notched his second INEX Legend Race Car win of the year when he topped a 20-lap feature event. Nowak, a former two-time track champion made his winning move on lap 2 when he passed George Tomko Jr, for the lead. Tomko not only lost the lead to Nowak on that lap, but also second to Joey Braun who followed in Nowak’s tire tracks. Nothing was going to stop the NoMo Motorsports machine of Kevin Nowak on this night as he drove to a 23rd career victory, tying him with Kyle Ellwood for second all-time. Joey Braun of Manorville was runner-up in the HighMark Building Efficiency mount while veteran Ray Fitzgerald of Manorville completed the podium in the EP Milling & Sweeping coupe.
Will Sipala of Manorville came into Saturday’s Bock Auto INEX Bandolero Outlaw event with the attitude he was not going to be beat. He was right, he wasn’t. Sipala put the Riteway Automotive Center Outlaw out front at the throw of the green and never looked back. Tucker Bock, Kix Bock and finally Chevy Rommeney all ran second to eventual winner Sipala who earned his third career win, first of 2024. Rommeney of Bohemia was runner-up in the Benimax Trucking entry with KIx Bock of East Hampton third in the Bock Auto Outlaw.
John Alaimo of Miler Place scored his first career Bock Auto INEX Bandolero Bandit win in a 15-lap affair Saturday. Early in the contest, Antonio D’Alonzo broke to the lead over Mason Goodale. John Alaimo burst on the scene passing Goodale for second and one lap later D’Alonzo for the lead. On lap 8 Reid Halpin riding the outside line passed them all, taking the lead on lap 8, but shortly after a spinning lapped car threw Halpin into his own spin. Goodale with no place to go clipped Halpin, both continued with damage. When the race resumed Alaimo regained the lead and over the final 7 laps hit his marks to earn a well-deserved first career win in the Phillip Alaimo Construction Bandit. Emmett Grattan of Southold was runner-up in the Southold IGA entry, early leader Antonio D’Alonzo of Carle Place was third in his sponsor wanted Bandit, his best showing to date.
Leighton Van Houten of Wading River is now two-for-two at Riverhead Raceway winning her second straight Bock Auto Bandolero Beginner 10-lap event. Leighton, who missed the opener has made up for lost time with her second win in a row in the Riverhead Building Supply racer. Leighton’s two cousins chased her to the finish with Wyatt Goodale of Riverhead second in his Riverhead Building Supply entry, opening day winner Daxx Halpin of Wading River was third in the Tommy Baldwin Racing entry.
Legend Race Cars: 1. Kevin Nowak 2. Joey Braun 3. Ray Fitzgerald 4. Anthony Marsh 5. Riely O’Keefe 6. Geirge Tomko Jr. 7. Chase Van Houten 8. Rodney Dowless 9. Jim Sylvester 10. Ryan Barbieri 11. Colin Hoeffner 12. Jayden Glennerster 13. Chris Sinatro 14. Mike Van Houten Jr. 15. Ryan Lutz 16. Chevy Rommeney 17. Charles Hodge 18. Alex Halinar 19. Jeff Farruggia Jr. 20. Phillip Alaimo 21. Michael Metcalf 22. Will Sipala 23. Ed Stadtlander 24. Steve Harding 25. Kyle Ellwood 26. Rich Braun
Bandolero Outlaws: 1. Will Sipala 2. Chevy Rommeney 3. Kix Bock 4. Tucker Bock 5. Thomas Grattan 6. Michael Barry 7. Madison White 8. Madison Tomaszewski 9. Grace Cheslak 10. Jordan Ryan
Bandolero Bandits: 1. John Alaimo 2. Emmett Grattan 3. Antonio D’Alonzo 4. Reid Halpin 5. Tyler Oxee 6. Mason Goodale 7. Brooke Meyer 8. Blake Grattan 9. Christian Ryan 10. Kayla Quilliam 1. Aria Ligon
Bandolero Beginner: 1. Leighton Van Houten 2. Wyatt Goodale 3. Daxx Halpin 4. Emily Gatz 5. Mackenzie Ulmet DNS Alexis Gatz
Photo credits: FloRacing screencaps
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