Local Driver Places Second in NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in Riverhead

Holtsville native and NASCAR driver Justin Bonsignore came up a half-second short of repeating his 2011 win at the Riverhead 200 of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race last Saturday.

The 24-year-old Bonsignore, who races a Chevrolet for sponsor M3 Technology, came in second behind Connecticut-native Ryan Preece, who took the checkered flag in 56:49.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour stops for the Riverhead 200 every year in late July, but this year the race was postponed due to heavy rainfall. Last year Bonsignore won his first Riverhead 200, capturing the checkered flag in 1:16:10. He has since won the Cromarty Cup 50 and the Miller Lite Night 35 this season.

According to a Newsday article, another local resident, Gary McDonald, of Lake Ronkonkoma was scheduled to race in the Riverhead 200.