OWEN GRENNAN WINS CECIL PALM TREE 66 ON NIGHT HIS FATHER DANNY ENSHRINED ON RIVERHEAD RACEWAY CROMARTY WALL OF CHAMPIONS

Not even an Oscar winning scriptwriter could have drawn it up any better Saturday night at Riverhead Raceway when Owen Grennan of Glen Cove drove to victory in the annual Cecil Palm Tree 66 for the Buzz Chew NASCAR Modifieds. Just a few hours prior to Owen's first win of 2026 that also increased his 2026 championship advantage, his father Danny was inducted along with Howie Brode onto the Cromarty Wall of Champions during opening ceremonies. 

It had been a minute since the Buzz Chew NASCAR Modifieds had been on track since a severe storm wiped out the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 on Friday August 7th after qualifying. That qualifying order was moved to Saturday's Cecil Palm Tree 66 after three attempts at running the 77 proved futile. The Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 will close out the regular season on Saturday September 26th with new qualifying.

Owen Grennan, who won the HighMark Building Efficiency fast time award on August 7th, and Justin Brown brought the 18-car field to green for the Cecil Palm Tree 66, run in honor of late track owner Eddie Partridge. When the green light winked on Owen took the lead over Brown who quickly slid down off the high side to tuck into second. The top two would remain the same until a lap 22 caution came out for Michael Rutkoski's spin with Chase Grennan slipping under Brown for second when the race resumed to start the 23rd lap. The circumstances that allowed Chase to come to second would soon take the spot away from the leader's younger brother after a yellow waved on lap 30 for a Mike Albasini and Tom Sekulski minor incident in turn three. When the race restarted Brown was able to race under Chase Grennan to reclaim second,

As the race neared the halfway mark Chris Rogers, who started 5th entered the conversation coming to third after some intense racing with Kyle Ellwood, Mark Stewart, Chris Young and Dylan Slepian among others for the position. Rogers was watching as Owen Grennan and Brown tussled in front of him and on lap 36 was able to pounce for second when Brown ever so slightly got out of shape off the fourth corner. On lap 37 the yellow waved for a three car get together off the fourth corner when Kyle Ellwood, Michael Rutkoski and Matt Brode sat in turn four after Ellwood spun, all three continued.

When the race went back to green it would remain so for the rest of the race, something the leader was happy to see. Owen Grennan in his Eastport Feeds Chevy like he did over the first half of the contest, had things under control and would drive off to his first win of 2026, the fourth of his career. "Super special win tonight, Eddie was amazing, we were lucky to have him, Thanks to him, Connie and Tom Gatz we have a place to race" Owen started his post-race remarks after accepting the Cecil Palm Tree 66 winner's plaque. "Big congratulations to my father on his induction tonight, we work so hard at this as a family, my mother, brother and sister". Looking back at the race Grennan complimented his foes, "Justin, Chris and Chase, all raced me hard, but clean, I appreciate that". With Mark Stewart 7th in the final rundown, Owen enjoys an 18-point lead heading into the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 September 26th.

Chris Rogers of Patchogue, looking to back-up his July 31st win settled for second in the Coors Light silver bullet while Justin Brown of Manorville completed the podium with his NSE Windows Chevy. Chase Grennan of Glen Cove and Chris Young of Calverton completed the top five.

Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead for the 36th time in his career came home the winner of the 25-lap Late Model feature event. Starting from the pole, a rarity for the former eight-time champion McDermott darted right out front with Allan Pedersen second for the first lap. CJ Lehmann slipped by Pedersen for second on lap 2 and would hold the position until pap 6 when Pedersen ducked under Lehmann in turn three to reclaim the challenger's role.  The race took a long green flag run which was just fine with leader McDermott, not so much for Pedersen. Then on lap 17, an Ed Cheslak spin brought out the yellow and gave Pedersen the shot he hoped for. When the race did resume, Pedersen was all over leader McDermott, who was seeking his first win of 2026. Pedersen looked high, he looked low but, in the end, it was Jeremy McDermott taking home the win with his Rob Pelis owned, Eastport Feeds Chevy. Allan Pedersen of Center Moriches was runner-up in the CheckerWon Manufacturing entry, Ryan Zukowski of Riverhead brought the Busy Bee Pest Control racer home third. With two events left. McDermott has a six-point lead over Dave Brigati of Calverton for the 2026 championship. 

Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches knew what he had to do as far as his championship hopes were for the Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds were concerned, win. Davidowitz would do just that in the Crate Modified 25-lap feature evening him with championship rivals Michael Berner of Patchogue and AJ DeSantis at two wins each in 2026 just in case of a tiebreaker. Strapped into the Rat Pack Racing Chevy, Davidowitz broke from the pole to lead over Andrew Farnham who started alongside. During a double file restart on lap 9 after a Michael Berner spin, Kyle Ellwood raced his way under Farnham to come to second on lap 10, but Farnham was having none of it passing Ellwood back on lap 12.  On lap 13 during another restart for a minor spin Farnham was able to wrestle the top spot away from Davidowitz. Knowing the championship fight could come down to the final night, and a tiebreaker was all the motivation Davidowitz needed to work his way under Farnham in the third turn to take back the lead to start the 18th lap. This time Richie Davidowitz was not letting go of that lead and raced to the victory, his second of the year and 11th of his career in the Rosemar Industries Chevy. Richie is now tied for second on the all-time Crate Modified win list with Dave Brigati and Michael Berner. Andrew Farnham of Baldwin was second over the line with his LA Technology Group machine, while a resilient Michael Berner of Patchogue recovered from two spins for third in his M3 Technology Chevy. Enter the final points race September 26th Davidowitz and AJ DeSantis of Yaphank are tied for the championship lead, with Berner just four back.

Jarrett Campbell of Yaphank doesn't run the full slate of Blunderbust races, but when he does compete, he makes it count and Saturday he made it count with his second career win in a 20-lap feature. Campbell and Brandon Hubbard made up the front row for the initial start and when the green waved Campbell's car wiggled at the start, forcing Hubbard to let off the throttle enough allowing Jarrett to take the lead. On lap 4 tested tough veteran Tom Sullivan found an opening under leader Campbell to break out front, but on lap 6 Sullivan spun in the fourth corner after a nudge form Campbell, Tom kept his foot in it and no caution was needed. With Campbell back out front, Gary Caldwell raced his way to second when Sullivan spun but he was soon under pressure from championship leader Jim Laird Jr.  On lap 8 Laird made his way by Caldwell for second and set sail for Campbell and the race lead. In the end however Jarrett Campbell in his Lake Landscape & Mason Supplies Chevy was able to maintain his advantage until the checker flag waved.  Jim Laird Jr. of Islip Terrace was runner-up with his Bulovas Restorations Caprice and with championship rival Matt Triola a DNF due to mechanical issues Jim holds a comfortable 20-point cushion over Matt heading to September 26th and the final race. 

The Super Pro Trucks offered up a caution free 20-lap feature event and when it was all said and done Mark Stewart of Riverhead collected his second win of the year and the 27th of his career which ranks third on the all-time win list. When championship rivals Stewart and Frank Dumicich Jr. lined up on the front row, many thought fireworks would be possible, however nothing was further from the truth. Stewart, a former two-time Super Pro Truck champion broke to the early advantage over Dumicich, a former one-time champion of the class seeking his first title since 2013 tucked right in behind the leader. With no yellow flags, or double file restarts forthcoming Mark Stewart, the 2018 & 2019 champion drove off to victory in the East Side Building Toyota for truck owner Andre Vega who is chasing his 8th SPT title over the past 9-years. Frank Dumicich Jr., of East Quogue was second with his Okpetroleummarketplace.com Tundra, with two-time feature winner Charles Sudano of Merrick third with his LI Debris entry. Dumicich will carry a 4-point lead over Stewart into the September 25th final, Erin Solomito, Franks sister is still in the mix from third, eight back of her brother.

The 20-lap Mini Stock race also flowed without a caution flag and was an exciting event with a three-car battle for the win with championship leader Ryan Zukowski of Riverhead coming home with his fifth win in seven races contested this season. Chris Olivari and Ryan Warren brought the field to green with Olivari breaking to the early advantage leading the first two laps before Warren snick by to lead lap 3. Olivari raced right back out front on lap 4 with Warren, subbing for injured Bianca Carbo back to second. Ryan Zukowski entered the fray when he passed warren for second on lap 7 and set sail for leader Olivari. As the lead trio raced in close quarters, they also encountered lapped traffic which Zukowski took advantage of on lap 13 in the first turn to sneak by Olivari for the lead, while Warren looked on from third.  Unfazed by Zukowski's success this season Olivari went right to work at trying to reclaim the lead and perhaps his first win of 2026. After taking the white flag the trio raced into the third and fourth corner where Olivari got into Zukowski enough that Ryan lost the handle off four coming to the checker, but Olivari backed off allowing Ryan to correct his car and earn his 8th career win in the Busy Bee Pest Control racer. Chris Olivari of Coram would settle for second with his Middle Country Automotive machine; Ryan Warren of Ridge was third in the Quinn's Auto Service mount. The win all but assures Ryan Zukowski the 2026 Mini Stock championship as he has a 50-point lead over older brother, and defending champion CJ Zukowski with one race remaining. 

In the 15-lap Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars event Timmy Solomito of Islip in the "Charging" Charlie Jarzombek Chevette, built by Charlie and brother Ricky that was so radical it was outlawed by NASCAR took home the win. Solomito started 6th in a 15-car field that turned out for the Cecil Palm Tree night, broke to the race lead in true Jarzombek fashion, passing early leader Tom Pickerell to the outside entering the third turn on lap 10. From there Timmy kept his foot buried in the McBetts Racing Engines Chevette until the finish leaving Ricky Jarzombek with an ear-to-ear grin. John Jasinski of Flanders in the Gary Cretty tribute Vega was runner-up while Chris Young of Calverton brought the Jarzombek Racing Vega home third. 

Pat Collins Jr. of Southampton nailed down the 40-lap 8-Cylinder Enduro victory in his PC Truck & Equipment Caprice. The second-generation talent started from the pole and broke to the lead at the outset chased by Ricky Carman of Ridge for the entire distance. Carman in the United Exhaust Shop entry was runner-up with Anthony Pizzo of Lake Ronkonkoma third. 

Cecil Palm Tree 66: 1. Owen Grennan 2. Chris Rogers 3. Justin Brown 4. Chase Grennan 5. Chris Young 6. Dylan Slepian 7. Mark Stewart 8. Jack Handley Jr. 9. Roger Turbush 10. Joey Braun 11. Michael Rutkoski 12. Eric Hersey 13. Matt Brode 14. Tom Rogers Jr. 15. Tom Sekulski 16. Mike Albasini 17. Kyle Ellwood 18. Michael Berner. 

Late Models: 1. Jeremy McDermott 2. Allan Pedersen 3. Ryan Zukowski 4. Brandon Turbush 5. Dave Briagti 6. CJ Lehmann 7. Keith Rotzi 8. Russ Jansen 9. Ed Cheslak 10. Kevin Metzger 11. Brian Doyle 12. Dale Doherty 

Crate Modifieds: 1. Richie Davidowitz 2. Andrew Farnham 3. Michael Berner 4. Vinny Delaney 5. AJ DeSantis 6. Thomas Grattan 7. Kim Hyde 8. Kyle Ellwood DNS-Ken Massa Jr.

Blunderbusts: 1. Jarrett Campbell 2. Jim Laird Jr. 3. Brandon Hubbard 4. Gary Caldwell 5. Tom Puccia 6. William Steed 7. Anthony Capobianco 8. Steve Fried 9. Jackie Handley 10. Tom Sullivan 11. Matt Triola DNS- Ralph Corsini 

Super Pro Trucks : 1. Mark Stewart 2. Frank Dumicich Jr. 3. Charles Sudano 4. Erin Solomito 5. Lou Maestri 6. Dave Koenig 7. Rob Corwin 8. Liam Patrick 9. Tony Naglieri 10. Frank Dumicich Sr. 11. Joe Densieski

Mini Stocks: 1. Ryan Zukowski 2. Chris Olivari 3. Ryan Warren 4. Hunter Cummings 5. Andrew Coll 6. Madison Tomazewski 7. Eoughan Hayward 8. Charles Astacio 9. Brooklyn Devito 10. Donovan Klis 11. CJ Zukowski 12. George Astacio

Vintage All-Stars: 1. Timmy Solomito 2. John Jasinski 3. Chris Young 4. Don Howe 5. Tom Pickerell 6. Sal Accardi Jr. 7. John Cote 8. Mark Miller 9. Ken Southard 10. Jimmy Reed Jr. 11. Mike Siraco 12. Don Conradis 13. Richard Auer 14. Frank Saladino 15. Pat Hughes

8-Cylinder Enduro (top ten): 1. Pat Collins Jr. 2. Ricky Carman 3. Anthony Pizzo 4. Woot Lawrence 5. Greg Harris 6. Kevin Feeney 7. Donny Oliver 8. Justin Ferreri 9. Dominic Ranieri 10. Richie Carman