ALLAN PEDERSEN, ANTHONY MARSH, CHRIS LESCENSKI AND CJ ZUKOWSKI AMONG FIRST RESPONDER NIGHT WINNERS AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY SATURDAY

Another large and appreciative crowd turned out Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway for the annual Newsday presents a Tribute to First Responders program with an exciting night of side-by-side racing, close finishes and thrills and spills unfolding during the night. Allan Pedersen of Center Moriches topped the 15-lap TK Figure Eight feature for his fourth win of 2026, while Chris Lescenski of Riverhead earned his second Street Stock win of the year with a last lap. final turn pass racing towards the checker flag. 

Rich Braun and Kim Hyde made up the front row for the start of the TK Figure Eight event and as they raced to the first turn Braun's car pushed up the hill sweeping Hyde up near the wall, Gary Fritz Jr. saw the opening and pounced to take the early lead with Will Farrell driving through the opening as well to come to second. On the second lap of the race Farrell gained a run on Fritz coming to the stripe to start the third lap but made contact with the leader sending Fritz into a spin that drew a caution flag. Farrell joined Fritz at the request of race control for the restart. That left Allan Pedersen, who was running third at the time of caution as the new race leader with sophomore talent Tyler Farrell the challenger. Farrell, the 2025 Rookie of the Year kept pace with Allan Pedersen for the remainder of the event but in the end, Pedersen would drive off to his 15th career win in the United Exhaust Shops Camaro tying him with Tom Ryan for 13th on the all-time win list. Tyler Farrell of Mastic had a solid runner-up finish in the Finest Cuts Landscape Cadillac with Kim Hyde of Riverhead completing the podium in the Village Idiot Pub Chevy. Gary Fritz of Mastic and Will Farrell of Mastic recovered for fourth and fifth.

Monday morning water cooler chat at the Town of Riverhead DPW garage might be a bit spicier after co-workers Chris Lescenski and Jarrod Hayes of Calverton battled hard for the 20-lap Street Stock win in the final turn of the last lap with Lescenski prevailing.  Ricky Carman and Chris Lescenski made up the front row for the start with Lescenski riding the outside to the early lead. Jarrod Hayes, the championship leader entering the race came to second on lap 2 passing Carman who quickly slowed with a flat drawing a yellow.  When the race went back green it was Jarrod's turn to ride the outside groove to the lead with Lescenski now second, but not for long. The shuffling of the lead continued on lap 5 when Chris reclaimed the lead from Hayes, with Jarrod's championship rival Brandon Hubbard now closing in from third. Brandon, not wanting to miss out on the fun moved by Hayes for second on lap 8 and two laps later at the halfway signal took the lead from Lescenski, and suddenly his title hopes looked brighter, until they didn't. Hayes, who had moved by Lescenski for second while Hubbard led, raced his way back to the lead on lap 13, Lescenski got by for second at the same time. One lap later Hubbard's fight for not only the race win but his championship hopes deflated, literally with a flat that sent him into a spin drawing a caution.

With six laps left in the tilt when the race resumed the battle among the Town of Riverhead co-workers reached another level as Hayes and Lescenski went toe-to-toe and soon side by side with paint being swapped and bumpers meeting bumpers in hard, but yet clean racing. It all boiled down to a drag race off the final corner with Chris Lescenski in his Eastport Feeds Chevy edging out Jarrod Hayes in the North Fork Sanitation Chevy by 0.135 for his 5th career win. While Jarrod might not have won the race, he would increase his advantage over Hubbard to 26-points after Brandon placed 11th after his flat. Dave Antos of Lindenhurst, the all-time leading winner of the class was third with the EP Milling & Sweeping Monte Carlo.

Up until Saturday, defending Mini Stock champion CJ Zukowski of Riverhead was having a tough time finding pace for his usually potent car. Enter is sponsor and former competitor James O'Connell from Walls of Fame who during the week worked on CJ's machine to try and correct what was ailing the #31. Armed with a rare pole starting position, Zukowski moved right to the lead of what would turn out to be a non-stop 20-lap affair. Hunter Cummings chased Zukowski over the first five laps after he moved under outside pole sitter Madison Tomazewski at the start. On lap 6 CJ's younger brother Ryan made his way to second after starting scratch on the grid but by the time Ryan got to second CJ was enjoying a half lap advantage. Knowing full well his brother, winner of four out of five Mini Stock races entering Saturday was on the march, CJ was mashing the loud pedal to the floor. Time and the lack of a caution flag would play right into CJ Zukowski's hands as he drove off to his first win of 2026, 12th of his career. Ryan Zukowski of Riverhead was second in the Busy Bee Pest Control entry, while Andrew Coll of Mastic completed the podium.

Anthony Marsh of Riverhead snapped the three-race win streak of Riely O'Keefe of Manorville when he held O'Keefe at bay late in Saturday's 20-lap INEX Legend Race Car feature to score his first win of 2026.  Entering the race O'Keefe had won seven of the nine races contested in 2026. Will Sipala and Jeff Farruggia Jr. brought the 26-car field to green with Siplala leading the first two circuits over Farruggia. Anthony Marsh made his way by Farruggia on lap 3 for second and two laps later quickly set sail for leader Sipala, with Marsh taking the lead form the early pacesetter on lap 6. Taking advantage of the opening created by new Leader Marsh, Richie Davidowitz moved to second on lap 6 but the driver on the move was Riely O'Keefe who raced his way to third after starting 12th in those first six laps. On lap 7 O'Keefe moved to third just before the yellow waved for a three-car tangle in turn four. For the restart Marsh had Davidowitz to his right and O'Keefe on his bumper and when the race resumed O'Keefe was able to race under Davidowitz for second. Over the final dozen laps of the race, Marash and O'Keefe, teammates under the Joe Ryan Race Cars umbrella would be left to decide this one. O'Keefe would really turn up the heat on Marsh over the final five laps of the race, letting Anthony know he was there. In the end Anthony Marsh in his East West Pest Control coupe would hold on to win his 8th career INEX Legend Car feature. Riely O'Keefe settled for second in his Gershow Recycling entry, Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches claimed third with the Freddie & Megan Kraft backed racer.

Tyler Oxee of Carmel remains the only repeat winner of 2026 in the INEX Bandolero Outlaw ranks after winning the 15-lap feature event Saturday. Oxee and Antonio D'Alonzo sat on the front row for the start of the race which took a few attempts to get underway. Once things settled down Tyler Oxee raced out to the lead chased by Tyler Ross for the first five laps. Michael Barry moved to second for a spell behind Oxee, who was driving a flawless race hitting his marks while executing perfect restarts. Late in the race Barry found himself being challenged by John Alaimo who made his way back to the front in a hurry after a trip to the rear of the field, all of this unfolding in Oxee's mirror. Just after taking the two to go signal, Alaimo worked his way to second by Barry and made a run at Oxee for the win but the sand in the hourglass would run out. At the checker second generation talent Tyler Oxee with his J&R's Steakhouse of Calverton Outlaw collected his 6th career victory. John Alaimo of Miller Place earned every bit of his runner-up tally in the Turf King entry while Michael Barry of Patchogue was third with the Grease Garage Motorsports Outlaw.

It was girl's night out in the 15-lap INEX Bandolero Bandit 15-lap main event as Mackenzie Ulmet of Mattituck held off Brooke Meyer of Riverhead for her second win of 2026. Ulmet and Meyer sat in the front row for the start with Ulmet leading the first lap. Mason Goodale, riding a three-race win streak and looking to become the all-time leading Bandolero winner at Riverhead moved by Meyer for second on lap 2. Mason rode the tire tracks of Ulmet for two laps when his car went away suddenly on lap 4 exiting the second turn allowing Meyer to move back to second. For the remainder of the race Mackenzie and Brooke stage a spirited battle for the win with Mackenzie prevailing in her Vigilant Investigations & Security Bandit for career win number five. Brooke Meyer was close to her first career win in the Meyer Construction entry but settled for second while Mason Goodale of Riverhead wrestled his Riverhead Building Supply Bandit home for third. 

In just her second start, Jordyn DeFriest of Riverhead dominated the 10-lap INEX Bandolero feature for her first career win aboard the TS Haulers machine. At the throw of the green Jordyn DeFriest raced out front chased early by two-time winner Cullen DiSalvo.  On lap 4 most recent winner James White III made his way to second, but three laps later surrendered the spot to Silas Hayes on the 7th circuit. The battle for second was just fine by eventual winner Jordyn DeFriest who sped off to victory. Silas Hayes of Calverton was runner-up in the JDL Environmental racer while James White III of Southampton claimed third in the Blazing Bee Pest Control machine. 

In the 4/6-Cylinder Figure Eight 15-lap event Robert Kraemer of Bohemia after four years of trying to win a race at Riverhead Raceway was able to accomplish that fete Saturday. After the first attempt to start the race was interrupted by an incident when the race did go green Ryan Warren raced to the early lead over Robert Kramer. On lap 4 Kraemer, who receives advice from his friend Warren took the lead and was able to keep his sponsor wanted Mustang up front until the checker flag waved. Ryan Warren of Ridge would settle for second while Chris Smith of Riverhead was third.

For the second straight year retired NYPD officer Fred Grover of Huntington dominated the 40-lap First Responders race. Grover, a retired instructor from the New York City police academy who only makes one start a year again schooled the field despite his right front rotor glowing for most the race. David Olivari of Selden, retired Suffolk County PD was runner-up while Kevin Feeney of East Quogue, a corrections officer with the Suffolk County Sheriffs Department was third. 

In an old school, hard hitting 8-Cylinder Demolition Derby Shawn Adler of Lindenhurst outlasted all comers in his Monster's Recycling entry to win his second event of 2026. Adler's first win of the season came back in June during a 4/6-Cylinder Demo. The event boiled down to Adler, former World & National Champion Jason Savoy and Matt Smith with the end coming suddenly when Savoy and Smith hit each other with such impact their cars locked together leaving Adler the last one standing.

Figure Eights: 1. Allan Pedersen 2. Tyler Farrell 3. Kim Hyde 4. Gary Fritz Jr. 5. Will Farrell 6. Bob Dalke 7. Rich Braun 8. Eoughan Hayward

Legend Race Cars: 1. Anthony Marsh 2. Riely O'Keefe 3. Richie Davidowitz 4. Jeff Farruggia Jr. 5. Will Sipala 6. Jayden Glennerster 7. Jim Sylvester 8. Alex Halinar 9. Ray Fitzgerald 10. Nick Hodge 11. Chance Lutz 12. Michael Barry 13. Pat Moore 14. Marissa Stewart 15. Charles Hodge 16. John Noll 17. Mike Renn 18. Joe Cooke Jr. 19. Phillip Alaimo 20. Michael Metcalf 21. Ed Stadtlander 22. Kevin Ohrnberger 23. Colin McNamara 24. Kendall Van Houten 25. Billy King Jr. 26. Chris Sinatro

Street Stocks: 1. Chris Lescenski 2. Jarrod Hayes 3. Dave Antos 4. Chris McGuire 5. Cody Triola 6. Kyle Halpin 7. Rich Braun 8. Danny Pizzo 9. Marc Godnick 10. Alysa Paprocky 11. Brandon Hubbard 12. Ricky Carman 13. Bob Dalke 14. Luke Foerster 15. David White 

Mini Stocks: 1. CJ Zukowski 2. Ryan Zukowski 3. Andrew Coll 4. Eoughan Hayward 5. Madison Tomazewski 6. Charles Astacio 7. Hunter Cummings 8. Brooklyn DeVito 9. Anthony Moran 10. Bianca Carbo DNS- George Astacio 

Bandolero Outlaws: 1. Tyler Oxee 2. John Alaimo 3. Michael Barry 4. Thomas Grattan 5. Madison White 6. Grace Cheslak 7. Mason Dickerson 8. Christian Ryan 9. Jordan Ryan 10 Tyler Ross 11. Antonio D'Alonzo 12. Aria Ligon 14. Megan Cummings 

Bandolero Bandits: 1. Mackenzie Ulmet 2. Brooke Meyer 3. Mason Goodale 4. Emily Gatz 5. Wyatt Goodale

Bandolero Beginners: 1. Jordyn DeFriest 2. Silas Hayes 3. James White III 4. Cullen DiSalvo 5. Scarlet Dumicich 6. Liam McNamara 7. Brianna D'Alonzo 8. Peyton Curtis 9. Carissa Busam 10. Autumn Rommeney

4/6-Cylinder Figure Eight (top ten) 1. Robert Kraemer 2. Ryan Warren 3. Chris Smith 4. Mike Fragola 5. Dannie Southard 6. Billman Griffing 7. Charles Sherry 8. George Astacio 9. Robert Trent Jr. 10. Mike Mujsce Jr.

1st Responders Race: 1. Fred Grover 2. David Olivari 3. Kevin Feeney 4. Jack McCarthy 5. Pat Collins Jr. 6. Nick Rogers 7. Rich Baulch 8. James Smillie 9. Kenny McGarvey 10. Jeremy Rand

Demolition Derby- Winner- Shawn Adler