AFTER THREE CONSECUTIVE RIVERHEAD RACEWAY MODIFIED CHAMPIONSHIPS JOHN BEATTY JR. ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT, LEAVING 2026 TITLE CHASE WIDE OPEN
Just weeks after celebrating his third consecutive Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified championship John Beatty Jr. of Merrick disclosed on social media that he along with car owner Mark S. Mina had their entire operation available for purchase. The whispers and rumors began to swell, what's the story? Are they changing chassis types? Are they splitting? Monday afternoon John Beatty Jr. made it official when he announced he would retire from driving after he and the MSM Elite Motorsports teams historic three straight championships. Beatty's retirement leaves the chase for the 2026 Riverhead NASCAR Modified title wide open.
By nature, John Beatty Jr. is an unassuming person, one who prefers privacy over bravado. If he had his way he would have ridden into the sunset, an Irish goodbye of sorts. However, Riverhead Raceway media liaison Bob Finan reached out to John to get the official word and perhaps his reasoning. In typical Beatty fashion he wished not to be quoted in this space but cited three main factors contributing to his thinking and ultimately his decision.
Like most short track racers John Beatty Jr. broke into the sport during his youth in Go-Kart racing with his parents supporting & backing his endeavors. His father, John Sr. made sure his son had the best equipment while surrounding his son with a solid support group of mentors. As time marched on the father & son team eventually moved to the INEX Legend Race Car ranks, not only racing on their native Long Island, but up and down the east coast whenever they could. It was during this time John's Dad enlisted the services of the late Glenn Dixon to oversee and mentor his son's budding career. The family would eventually move to the NASCAR Modified ranks were they found some success, but it would be the pairing with Mark S. Mina that yielded the most success and allowed the elder Beatty to step back and enjoy his sons as a spectator.
Beatty revealed during the phone conversation with Finan that part of his decision to retire was because he had spent the better part of his youth and his adult life racing. Not just driving the cars but preparing and maintaining them at his residence. Beatty, a noted perfectionist pointed to time necessary in the race shop setting-up winning and championships caliber race cars consumed most of his time when he wasn't at work. John can now look forward spending more time with his wife and family, perhaps the biggest consideration during his thought process. John is very much looking forward to spending more time with them to enjoy what life has to offer away from the track and shop. Perhaps John's most negotiable third factor for hanging up the helmet was turning 50 last November. John revealed he had a benchmark age he thought would be appropriate to think about retiring, 50 was that magic number, a number that was perhaps made easier to accept after winning three straight titles.
As John Beatty Jr. closes this chapter of his life, he couldn't do so without thanking those who propelled him to what is a Cromarty Wall of Champions worthy career. From the formative Go-Kart years racing with his mother and father, who molded him into not just a great racer, but a wonderful, fun-loving person. Beatty will never forget the influence and friendship of Glenn Dixon, who until his untimely passing checked in with John after every race. Longtime friend Kevin Temme was a major player during John's career, Kevin and John enjoyed success when they partnered in a INEX Legend Race Car. The result was the tandem winning the 2017 Riverhead Raceway Legends championship. However, the shot heard around the Island racing world would be the teaming with Mark S. Mina and MSM Elite Motorsports. The pairing propelled John Beatty Jr. into icon status winning numerous races and their three consecutive NASCAR Modified championships. Beatty will forever be grateful for everyone that contributed and sacrificed of themselves during his successful career.
When John Beatty Jr. secured the 2025 NASCAR Modified title last September, he entered a select group as one of only three drivers to do so, with the late Charlie Jarzombek (1976-78) and Don Howe (1993-95) accomplishing the fete prior. In addition to the three championships, the record books will show Beatty a 14-time winner in the Modifieds ranks tying him with Johnny Rambo for 30th on the all-time win list. In addition to the 2017 INEX Legend Race Car title, Beatty was a seven-time winner while racing Legends landing him in a 4-way tie with Brendon Bock, John Bagshaw and Anthony Marsh for 11th on the all-time win list.
John Beatty Jr. closed by saying while he might not miss grind of weekly racing and all the sacrifices that go with it, he did say he'd pop into Riverhead Raceway to take in the races and offer advice along the way.
Prior to speaking with John Beatty Jr. on Monday, Bob Finan enjoyed a previous conversation with Mark S. Mina a few weeks back. During that chat Mark revealed he'd remain in the sport as a car owner and is in the process of retooling MSM Elite Motorsports with future announcements forthcoming.
The chase for the 2026 NASCAR Modified title and the Eddie Partridge Drivers Cup will be wide open right from the drop of the green flag on opening night Saturday May 2nd. Among those expected to make a run for the honors include Dylan Slepian of Six Hills, the Grennan brothers, Owen and Chase of Glen Cove, Kyle Ellwood of Ridge, Chris Young of Calverton, Roger Turbush of Calverton, Mark Stewart of Riverhead, CJ Lehmann of Shirley, Chris Rogers of Patchogue and Matt Brode of East Islip. Three drivers will enter their freshman campaign with the Mod Squad as Tom Sekulski of Nesconset, Eric Hersey of Commack, the 2025 Crate Modified champion and Derek Stahecki of Southampton have all registered car numbers.
Complementing the NASCAR Pack the Track night opener Saturday May 2nd are the Late Models, Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds, TK Figure Eights. Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and INEX Legend Race Cars. Opening ceremonies are planned for 6:30 PM, proceeded by qualifying heat races. General admission gates open at 5:00 PM, $30 for adults, kids 6-12 $20, 5 and under are free.
For the entire 2026 schedule of events please visit http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails can be forwarded to office@riverheadraceway, while our phone number remains 631-842-RACE.