Justin Bonsignore Looks to Start New Winning Streak at Riverhead Raceway
HOLTSVILLE, N.Y. — After finishing third the last time the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour visited his home track, Justin Bonsignore will look to begin a new winning streak at Riverhead Raceway this Saturday, June 19. Set for competition in the Buzz Chew Chevrolet Cadillac 200, Bonsignore will drive the No. 51 Phoenix Communications for Kenneth Massa Motorsports in search of his ninth career win at the New York oval.
Bonsignore had won four straight tour races at the bullring leading into the May 15 event — but six-time tour champion Doug Coby broke his own dry spell and won the Miller Lite 200, while Bonsignore led 175 laps and finished third. Since that race, Bonsignore picked up a victory at Jennerstown Speedway and a fourth-place finish at Oswego Speedway — and sits second — just three points back — in the Whelen Modified Tour championship battle.
Bonsignore has plenty of confidence that the team will come up with the setup it will take to start a new streak. The 200-lap feature will be the sixth of 14 races on the tour schedule — and the second of three at Riverhead.
“I’m excited that Riverhead has an additional race this year, we always love racing at home in front of friends and family,” Bonsignore said. “We came up short there last month, but I’m really hungry to improve on the final segment of the race and make sure we have the car to last the distance and get the win. We learned what was wrong the last time, but so did everyone else in the field. Going back for the second time, it gets harder. We’re building a notebook just like everyone else — and I’m sure it will be a challenge — but we will improve.”
Bonsignore’s eight career Riverhead wins in 19 starts include 951 laps led and an average finish of 4.8.
Saturday’s race day includes one practice session from 3-4 p.m., with Mayhew Tools pole qualifying set to roll at 6 p.m. The Buzz Chew Chevrolet Cadillac 200 is scheduled to take the green flag at 8 p.m., and will air live on NBC Sports Gold.
For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow his athlete page on Facebook.
Sources: Souza Media/Kyle Souza
Noah Watts/MyRaceNews photo