Highmark-Building Efficiency Teaming With Joey Braun to Chase 2024 Riverhead Raceway INEX Legend Race Car Championship
New York, NY Mar. 22nd — Rich Gerbe, co-founder of Highmark-Building Efficiency announced Friday morning that Highmark would team with Joey Braun of Manorville to chase the 2024 INEX Legend Race Car championship at Riverhead Raceway. Gerbe, the 1999 Legend Race Car champion at Riverhead also disclosed the new pairing would enter the $25,000 to win Carolina Family Pool & Patio INEX Legend Race Car event in December at Southern National Motorsports Park of North Carolina.
During his announcement, Gerbe was asked what drew him to Joey Braun, “for me, it was when he won the Highmark-Building Efficiency 40 Legend Race Car feature prior to the Islip 300 in November. I had a bird’s eye view of his talent running that race myself, albeit further back in the pack, I was impressed. He’s just a normal kid who is a talented race car driver” Gerbe recalled. Rich revealed the duo had a preliminary conversation post-race in the Riverhead pit area, but it was a conversation in February the two had at New Smyrna Speedway in February that sealed the deal. “We caught up again in Florida, my dad was with me when Joey and I spoke, and he turned to me and said this was the young driver to get involved with”.
Indeed, known as a hard-charging, take-no-prisoners driver Joey Braun has been impressive scoring five wins during the 2023 Riverhead Raceway campaign. Since his freshman season in 2019, Joey has won 15 INEX Legend Race Car events good for 5th on the all-time track win list and he’s quick to point out, “And we’ve never run a full season”. As for teaming with Highmark-Building Efficiency in an effort to secure his first track championship,” Braun commented. “I am both honored and excited to team with Rich and Highmark, hopefully we’ll reach our goal of winning races and the championship”. No matter the results locally, both Gerbe and Braun have already circled December 5th through 7th on their racing calendars for the trip to Southern National Motorsports Park. “$25,000 can buy plenty of holiday gifts” Braun quipped.
While pumped up about his new title marketing partner for 2024, Joey Braun was excited to announce many of his longtime backers will return for his various racing endeavors. Papa Carmine’s Hot Peppers, Miller & Caggiano Attorney at Law, JG Candle Co, Jason Galka Real Estate, Dun Rite Pools, Drifters Kitchen and Cut Above All Hair Salon are all remaining with Braun. Additionally, over the past few seasons, Braun has dipped his toes in Late Model racing down south and he is hopeful to make announcements in the near future on those efforts.
In addition to steering the Highmark-Building Efficiency Legend Race Car, Joey Braun confirmed he would return to the cockpit of the John Kirk-owned Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modified at Riverhead Raceway for 2024. “The goal for the Crate is to win our first feature and go from there,” Braun said. In a twist of racing irony, there will be nights that Braun and his Legend Race Car sponsor Rich Gerbe will compete against each other. Rich pointed out Friday that he’ll run his Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modified at Riverhead as his business and family life permit.
The chase for the 2024 INEX Legend Race Car championship starts Saturday night May 4th during the Pack the Track NASCAR opening night at Riverhead Raceway. Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches will begin his Legends title defense during a 20-lap feature event. NASCAR Tour Type Modifieds, Late Models, Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds, Figure Eights, and Super Pro Trucks.
The complete 2024 schedule of events can be viewed at http://www.
Sources: Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR