Justin Bonsignore Scores Special Win in Ed Partridge 256 at Riverhead Raceway

Photo: Tom Morris

By Souza Media

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – For the second straight NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race, Justin Bonsignore was celebrating in Victory Lane on Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway. Competing at his home track in New York, Bonsignore dominated the early stages of the race after pacing practice and winning the Mayhew Tools Dominator Pole award in qualifying.

 For the first time, infield pit stops were a factor at Riverhead, and pit strategy did play into the decision of who won the 256-lap special event, in honor of the late Ed Partridge, former owner of the track. In the end, Bonsignore’s crew chief Ryan Stone called him to pit road when the caution flag flew at lap 182, then Bonsignore chased his way back to the front to get back to Victory Lane.

The win was the fourth of the season for Bonsignore, and it comes at the perfect time – as the three-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion has closed the gap to just a few points in the championship standings with two races to go in the season. The victory was his 35th career, and his ninth at Riverhead – the most of all active drivers.

“It’s a shame we lost Eddie Partridge last year, but it’s unbelievable what Riverhead does each and every week to honor him,” Bonsignore said. “I’m so happy they keep the racing going for all of us. This is the best car we’ve had here, and I think we could have won it in 200 laps. Momentum is a thing and now I’ve knocked off two wins in a row.”

Bonsignore will return to the track at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park as part of the 60th Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing on Sunday, October 9. Following Thompson, only the championship finale at Martinsville Speedway on October 27 remains in the season.

For more information on Justin Bonsignore, visit JustinBonsignore.com and follow him on his Athlete page on Facebook for the latest updates.