JOHN BEATTY JR. HONORED FOR THIRD STRAIGHT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY MODIFIED TITLE FRIDAY AT SOLD-OUT AWARDS CEREMONY
Riverhead Raceway race teams, staff and their family members filled the banquet room at Giorgio's of Baiting Hollow to honor the 2025 Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Weekly Series and INEX champions Friday evening. The affair hosted by track owners Connie Partridge, Tom Gatz and GM John Ellwood honored the twelve drivers who earned 2025 championships at the popular quarter mile facility, along with the top five from each division and the 2025 Rookie of the Year winners were feted.
Honored for his third consecutive NASCAR Modified driving championship Friday, John Beatty Jr. of Merrick and car owner Mark S, Mina, stepped into rarified air as only one of three driver/owner combinations to win three consecutive titles in the 75-year history of the track. Only "Charging" Charlie Jarzombek, 1976-78 and Don Howe, 1993-95 had won three straight championships. Beatty was also bestowed with another Championship ring courtesy of Partridge and Gatz a tradition started by the late Eddie Partridge in 2016 for all track champions. Beatty also proudly won the Eddie Partridge Drivers Cup with his third straight title.
The 2025 Crown Jewel Series Modified champion Chase Grennan of Glen Cove was presented the Ted Christopher Cup on Friday. Grennan, a rising star on the tour type Modified scene won three of the five Crown Jewel Series events. The college freshman won the 75th Year Celebration Flying Dutchman 75, the Oval Speed Bubba 150 and the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 in route to the TC Cup.
Gerard Giordano of Freeport accepted his first Late Model championship from track management joined by popular NASCAR Officials Mike Cappiello and Randy Murray. Eric Hersey of Commack was feted for his first career Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modified championship complementing his 2022 INEX Legend Race Car title. For the fourth time over the past five seasons and fifth time in his Figure Eight career Scott Pedersen of Shirley was honored as a champion for 2025.
For the first time in his career Joe Densieski of Riverhead won the 2025 Blunderbust championship and in doing so at 59 plus years old became the oldest champion over the 75-year existence of Riverhead Raceway. Bill Park of Manorville at 58 plus years young held that distinction since 2006. For the fifth time over the past six seasons Jack Handley Jr. of Medford collected the Super Pro Truck championship laurels, for his truck owner Andre Vega it's title number eight over the past nine seasons. Brian Brown of Calverton won his second career Street Stock title in 2025, joining his 2021 fete while CJ Zukowski of Riverhead won his second career Mini Stock championship, his first since 2020.
The parade of 2025 INEX champions was led Friday night by Kyle Ellwood of Riverhead as he celebrated his second career Legend Race Car championship having won his first at 18-years old in 2012. Three first time champions emerged in the INEX Bandolero ranks this year with Thomas Grattan of Southold taking the Outlaw championship, Emmett Grattan of Southold the Bandit top honors and Mason Dickerson of Southold the Beginner championship. The INEX Bandolero teams turned out in umbers to salute their champions.
A very special presentations was part of the festivities Friday when "Magic" Mike Maskulyak and his wife Vicky received the annual Joe Hodge Humanitarian Award. The prestigious award is voted on and presented by Technical Inspection Chief Randy Murray and his staff of hard-working inspectors. It is named in honor of the late Joe Hodge, a successful Freeport Stadium racer who would later serve on the Riverhead Raceway inspection staff. Long known for his race car lettering work across Long Island, Mike Maskulyak now serves as "Champ" the Riverhead Raceway track mascot who entertains fans young and old alike on his "Champ Mobile" with Vicky at his side. Maskulyak, along with Murray and Hodge cut their racing teeth at Freeport Stadium where Mike's mother Carmella served as a scorer.
Earning Rookie of the Year honors for 2025 were Chase Grennan (NASCAR Modifieds), Joe Warren of Ridge (Crate Mods), Tyler Farrell of Shirley (Figure Eight), Anthony Capobianco of Islip Terrace (Blunderbusts), Charles Sudano of Merrick (Super Pro Trucks), Ben Morabito of Miller Place (Legends), Brandon Hubbard of Mastic (Street Stocks) and George Astacio of Shirley (Mini Stocks).
The annual Silas Hiscock Driver of the Year award was presented, and for the first time when the drawing among the twelve 2025 champions was announced, a driver from the NASCAR Weekly Series won. Jack Handley Jr., Super Pro Truck champions won the award. Previously Jarred Halsey and Pat Collins, two 8-Cylinder Enduro champions, Dave Antos, multi-time Street Stock champion and Daxx Halpin, INEX Bandolero Beginner champion were named the Silas Hiscock Driver of the Year.
The 2025 awards ceremony was emceed by first year Riverhead Raceway announcer, 21-year-old AJ Vasseur, who was able to complete the awards within 90-minutes. AJ's Saturday night broadcast partner Peter Milano, also a freshman lined drivers up for their awards and presented the Silas Hiscock Driver of the Year award. After the awards and dinner, party goers enjoyed a night of further celebration and dancing.
Attention now fully turns to the 76th race season at Riverhead Raceway with opening weekend May 2nd & May 3rd just three months away. Opening weekend will consist of the Saturday evening NASCAR Pack the Track night program and be completed by the May Meltdown presentation Sunday afternoon.
To view the comprehensive 2026 schedule of events please visit Home | Riverhead Raceway and click the events prompt. Emails reach the track at [email protected], the phone number remains 631-842-RACE.