$7,700 IN SPECIAL AWARDS ANNOUNCED FOR 7TH ANNUAL OVAL SPEED BUBBA 150 AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY, LAP SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR JUNE 27TH EVENT
Since the inaugural running of the Oval Speed Unlimited Bubba 150 in September of 2020, a race celebrating the life of Bob "Bubba" Patanjo quickly became the signature event of the regular season at Riverhead Raceway for the Buzz Chew Chevrolet Modifieds. In continuing with that tradition, it was announced today by Erin Larsen-Delaney a total of $7,700 in special awards has been posted for the 7th annual Bubba 150 with the race kicking off the Crown Jewel Series for the Ted Christopher Cup.
"We are excited for another Oval Speed Bubba 150" Erin Larsen-Delaney, long time Director of Scoring at Riverhead Raceway proclaimed. Dennis Freese of Oval Speed Unlimited along with Larsen-Delaney spearhead the Bubba 150 honoring the memory of Bob Patanjo, long time Bill Park team member who was more a brother and uncle to Team Park and Freese. As they have since 2020, the Patanjo family will again provide the Podium Awards for the 150 with the winner receiving $1,500 while the runner-up and third place teams receive $600 and $400 for their 150 finishes.
Through the tireless efforts of Larsen-Delaney and Freese a special awards program of $2,700 was announced today. The Righteous Window Cleaning Pole Award will be worth $200 with the Steve Park Hard Charger Award winner earning $200 from Park, who like many enjoyed a good cigar with Bubba. Timmy Solomito & Natural Design Co. has announced the $250 Most Laps Led Award. Ryan Preece Racing has committed $200 each to the Halfway Leaders of the 150, as well for the Fastest Lap of the 150. The Ralph Beaver Hard Luck Award will be worth $200, as will the Planet Earth Recycling Last Car on the Lead Lap Award. The Brigati family of JDL Environmental will sponsor the $200 Furthest Traveled Award, while the Daryl Baker Motorsports 7th Place Award is worth $500 with RP Fabrication sponsoring a $200 10th Place Award while Top Notch Performance supplies the $200 Luck of the Draw Award. A new Hard Charger Over the Final 20-Laps Award was announced for the spotter of the car that achieves that earning $150 from Coastal Auto Body. Despite disclosing these awards and their sponsors today, Larsen-Delaney was quick to add, "we are looking for additional awards that will add excitement to the race, and we are open to any ideas"
The HighMark Building Efficiency Challenge returns for the 2026 Oval Speed Unlimited Bubba 150, with Rich Gerbe announcing a new format for the challenge. If the Righteous Window Cleaning Pole Award winner accepts the HighMark challenge and drops to the rear of the starting gird and goes onto win the 150, they'll be presented a $2,500 Oval Speed gift card. If the pole winner declines then he will draw a number from a hat, if the driver starting in the spot picked wins the race they'll receive a $1,500 Oval Speed gift card. If the driver drawn by the pole winner does not win the race, then HighMark Building Efficiency would present the podium finishers of the 150 with a $500 Oval Speed gift car each. Gerbe currently sponsors the weekly HighMark Fast Time Award at Riverhead, with the driver topping the charts in qualifying receiving a Hoosier Tire.
Lap money sponsorships are currently in full swing and available through Dennis Freese and Erin Larsen-Delaney. "The race is earlier in the season this year, but we are hoping to top the $18,700 in special awards and lap money we were able to gather last season" Larsen-Delaney noted. Single lap sponsorships are $20 per lap with the leader of each lap pocketing $10 per lap, while the second and third place drivers earn $6 & $4 respectfully per lap. Those interested in sponsor a lap or laps can see Freese or Larsen-Delaney at the track with cash or Venmo lap sponsorships to ErinLarsenDelaney.
Chase Grennan of Glen Cove, the 2025 Ted Christopher Cup Crown Jewel Series champion is also the defending race winner of the Bubba 150. Chase who is chasing the overall 2026 Riverhead track title is the most recent winner this season off his June 6th 50-lap victory. Remaining 2026 Crown Jewel races after the Bubba 150 are the Friday night July 3rd 76th Year Celebration Flying Dutchman Tribute 76, Friday night August 7th Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77, Saturday evening September 12th Cecil Palm Tree 66 and concludes at the 10th annual Islip 300 Saturday November 14th.
The complete 2026 schedule of events, current championship standings and other information can be obtained at http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach the track at [email protected] while our phone number is 631-842-RACE.