BONUS AND LAP MONEY ANNOUNCED FOR TWO FOR TK TWIN 9 FIGURE EIGHT EVENTS AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY SATURDAY
Riverhead, NY July 13th
By Bob Finan
Saturday night Riverhead Raceway will honor a Figure Eight icon with the 4th annual Two for TK Twin 9 races remembering and celebrating the life of "TK" Tom Kraft. On Sunday, Kraft's niece Erin Larsen-Delaney revealed the bonus and lap money awards for the race honoring Tom Kraft that could reach as much as $2,470. A full complement of NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts racing featuring the Buzz Chew NASCAR Modifieds are part of the Saturday night action that will conclude with the first School Bus Demolition Derby of 2026.
During his driving days, Tommy Kraft, or as his family and friends referred to him as "TK" enjoyed a hall of fame career in Figure Eight racing. Kraft won 29 Riverhead Raceway feature events along with three track titles in 1986, 1998 and 2006 earning Tom enshrinement in the Suffolk Association of Figure Eight Racing Hall of Fame, as well onto the Cromarty Wall of Champions at Riverhead. As fierce a competitor Kraft was, he was equally as dedicated to the betterment and preserving the future of Figure Eight racing, to the extent that he and his wife Kathy owned as many as four cars in later years when Tom served as a NASCAR official.
Sunday Erin Larsen-Delaney announced that Freddie and Megan Kraft would post $500 towards each race based on 10 or more cars starting with $300, $150 and $50 for the top three finishers. If less than 10 cars rake the green $250 will be added to the top three for both races, $150, $75 and $25. Erin further disclosed the $100 Oval Speed fastest Lap of the Race award, the $100 Jim Sylvester Most Laps Led award in memory of Sara Sylvester, the $50 Scott Tapley Best Average Finish award, the Joe Conlon TK Future Star Last Car on the Lead Lap bonus, $50 for each race, the $90 Coastal Auto Body Lucky Draw bonus for the first 9-lapper, while the second race Lucky Draw $90 award is sponsored by Mattino Inc.
Additionally, Larsen-Delaney disclosed Sunday four sets of laps have been sold for the Two for TK Twin 9's totaling $1,440. The first $360 in lap money will be distributed in the traditional, $10 for the lap leader, $6 for second and $4 for third per lap, the remaining $1,080 will be divided through the field. All lap and bonus money will be paid only after post-race tech inspection.
Allan Pedersen of Center Moriches and his uncle, 2025 TK Figure Eight champion Scott Pedersen of Shirley shared the Two for TK Twin 9 feature wins, Allan hopes to sweep both Saturday with Scott now enjoying retirement from racing. Heading into Saturday Gary Fritz Jr of Mastic, a former winner of the TK Twin 9's leads the 2026 championship chase with Will "The Thrill" Farrell of Shirley hot on his heels, as is Allan Pedersen from third. They, along with Tyler Farrell of Shirley, rookie Eoughan Hayward of Westhampton, Kim Hyde of Riverhead, Bob Dalke of Mount Sinai and Rich Braun of East Islip all hope to find success Saturday.
The Buzz Chew NASCAR Modifieds will go to post in a 50-lap feature event while the Late Models return for a 25-lap event. Three exciting classes of INEX Bandolero racing will unfold along with a 40-lap Truck Enduro and a JuiceBox Racers contest just after opening ceremonies at 6:30 PM. General admission gates will open at 5:00 PM, $40 for adults, $20 kids 6-12, 5 & under free.
To view our 2026 schedule of remaining events please visit ww.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach the track at [email protected] and the phone number is 631-842-RACE.