RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — Defending NASCAR Modified champion Kyle Soper scored a milestone 25th career victory at Riverhead Raceway to open the season on Saturday night.
Early on in the 50-lap event, 2021 rookie of the year Jack Handley Jr. led the first two circuits of the race before John Baker came calling for the lead on lap three.
On lap seven, a strong-running Eddie Brunnhoelzl III made his way by Handley for second and quickly set his sights on race leader Baker.
The complexion of the race would change dramatically on lap 14 during a double file restart. Kyle Soper, who started the race 7th, had made his way to third. When the green flag reappeared he got two for the price of one when he passed both Baker and Brunnhoelzl to take over the race lead.
Once out front in the Eastport Feeds Chevy, Soper would find three drivers give chase until the race concluded as Baker, Brunnhoelzl and later Dave Brigati all took turns at trying to reel in the race leader.
Brigati advanced to second with 20 laps left in the race after Brunnhoelzl and Baker got together in a minor tangle off turn four with Brunnhoelzl going for a spin while Baker continued.
Over the closing laps Brigati kept pace with Soper, but never was able to pull up to the eventual race winner to mount a challenge.
“We moved our shop over the winter and being superstitious we didn’t know what that would do for our luck” Soper said, “I just can’t thank my team enough for all the work they put in on this car and this past off season for all the extra work moving”.
Dave Brigati finished runner-up, with John Baker, Justin Brown and J.R. Bertuccio rounding out the top five.
In the late model division, Dave Brigati prevailed for his 7th career win.Â
Owen Grennan scored the crate modified victory, after winning three races last year.Â
Ken Hyde Jr. won the figure eight event after setting a new track record in qualifying.
Brandon Hubbard led from start to finish to win the 20-lap blunderbust main event.
The super pro trucks saw Sean Glennon scoring the victory in the 30-lap feature.
Jason Castaldo rebounded from an opening night crash to win the 20-lap legend car event.Â
Tony Ferrante Jr. scored the 15-lap win for the Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars.Â
The Finish:
Feature (50 Laps): 1. Kyle Soper 2. Dave Brigati 3. John Baker 4. Justin Brown 5. JR Bertuccio 6. Kyle Ellwood 7. Artie Pedersen III 8. John Beatty Jr. 9. Joey Braun 10. Dylan Slepian 11. Tom Rogers Jr. 12. Eddie Brunnhoelzl III 13. Chris Turbush 14. Chris Young 15. Chris Rogers 16. Wes Glibert 17. Jack Handley Jr. 18. Jason Agugliaro 19. Cory Midgett 20. Owen Grennan 21. Allan Pedersen 22. Brian Brown