BONUS MONEY & HIGHMARK BUILDING EFFICIENCY CHALLENGE ANNOUNCED FOR SARA SYLVESTER 50 INEX LEGEND RACE CAR NATIONAL QUALIFIER SATURDAY AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY
Annually the Sara Sylvester INEX Legend Race Car National Qualifier 50 is the most lucrative race for the class that shows out with 25 plus race cars weekly at Riverhead Raceway. On Wednesday it was announced by Erin Larsen-Delaney the bonus and lap money program for the 2026 edition of the race that unfolds Saturday night at the historic quarter mile. This year the financial bar has been raised significantly with the addition of the HighMark Building Efficiency Challenge provided by 1999 Riverhead Raceway INEX Legend Race Car champion Rich Gerbe of HighMark.
Prior to her untimely passing in late 2021, Sara Sylvester was a popular figure at the track, perched in her position by the picnic tables in turn two rooting her older brother Jimmy on in his INEX Legend Race Car endeavors. When the National Qualifier race was nearing Sara took action by soliciting lap money for the biggest race of the season for the division she so dearly loved. Lap money soon turned into bonus money for the race and Sara was so efficient and successful at arranging lap and bonus money for the Legends, she soon volunteered her services for other big races at Riverhead.
After Sara passed away way, Erin Larsen-Delaney, chief scorer at the track immediately stepped in to honor her memory and keep the lap and bonus money flowing for the race that now bears Sara Sylvester's name.
Two complete sets of lap money will have been arranged by race time Saturday along with numerous bonus awards. Delaney-Larsen has disclosed lap money will be paid among the top five per lap, $15, $10, $8, $4 & $3 post tech. Sara's brother Jim, who continues to race along with owning the car of championship leader Riely O'Keefe has posted Top Five Awards with $500, $250, $150, $50 & $50 distributed to the top five post tech. The Race Winner Trophy is courtesy of Timmy Solomito of Natural Design Co. Jim Wichert of Unique Golf of West Islip ($100) and Chris Turbush of Turbush Racing ($50) have combined for the Pole Award of $150.
Dennis Freese of Oval Speed presents both the $100 Hard Charger and $100 Hard Luck awards for the 50-lapper, while "Irish" Mike O'Keefe posts a $100 Fastest Lap of the Race bonus with Riely O'Braun sponsoring a $100 Most Lap Led award. Jimmy & Angela Rennick of JCR Motorsports will supply a $72 Second Place bonus while Johnny Vullo of Pit Lizard Racing adds a $66 Sixth Place award. Former Legend Race Car driver Paul Dodorico sponsors the $100 PDR Tenth Place Award, while Larry Murdock provides $75 for the B-Main winner, or last car to qualify. All bonus monies will be paid after teams clear post-race tech.
On Wednesday afternoon Erin Delaney-Larsen disclosed on social media the HighMark Building Efficiency Challenge. The driver who wins the Unique Golf/Turbush Racing Pole Award will be given the option to drop to the rear of the 26-car starting grid. If the pole winner accepts the challenge, drops to the rear and wins the race $1500 in HighMark money will be presented. If the pole winner accepts but can only get to second place at the finish, a $1,000 bonus will be awarded, if the accepting pole winner can only muster a third-place tally, HighMark will award $500 for that effort. If the pole winner declines the HighMark Building Efficiency Challenge, the top four drivers in the finish post tech will each take home a $250 Oval Speed Gift Card. If the pole winner accepts and wins one of the three bonuses, those will be paid in cash.
Truly a lap money and bonus award program that Sara Sylvester can be proud of thanks to all these great sponsors and the unwavering effort of Erin Larsen-Delaney.
Joining the INEX Legend Race Cars Saturday at Riverhead Raceway are the Late Models, Super Pro Trucks, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Truck Enduro, Figure Eight Train Race with the third and final School Bus Demolition Derby bringing the night to a thunderous conclusion.
General admission gates open early at 4:15 PM, time trials for the INEX Legend Race Cars will begin qualifying at 4:45 PM. Feature event racing will commence at the conclusion of qualifying with the Truck Enduro, Mini Stocks and Super Pro Trucks the first three main events planned. Teams, family members and fans should plan accordingly. $40 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12, 5 & under free.
To purchase tickets in advance, race day itinerary or to track 2026 championship standings please visit www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach the track at [email protected], the phone number is 631-842-RACE.