Solomito is a natural at Riverhead Raceway

It's as oxymoronical as jumbo shrimp and a deafening silence.

Timmy Solomito, a driver at Riverhead Raceway, does not possess a driver's license.

No wonder they call him the Natural.

Just as Mozart was born to compose and Michelangelo was fated to paint, the just-turned 18-year-old from Islip seems put on this Earth to drive - just not yet on the street.

"It's weird," he said, "I've only driven on the street twice in my whole life. When I tell people I don't have a license, they look at me like I have six heads."

Conventional driving isn't Solomito's speed anyway. At age 6, he began racing a go-kart, and by age 14, he had a go-kart national championship. Soon after, he began racing Chargers (15-year-olds are eligible for NASCAR licenses) and won his first two races. Then he tried Legends and won the 2008 title.

Next, though, was modifieds, Riverhead's toughest class, which is stacked with seasoned veterans. No matter, he still took the checkered flag in his first race last year, and his ultrasuccessful campaign ended with being named the NASCAR Whelan New York Rookie of the Year. So what's next, Timmy?

"After this step, it takes a lot of money," Solomito said, adding that he owes a lot to his current sponsors, Dave (a fellow modified racer) and Cindy Brigati. "But talent can win the show, too. I'd love to be the next Jimmie Johnson."

It's not that far out of the question. Of the top 25 modified racers (which include his older brother Jerry) only 17-year-old Amber Fortin is his junior. But Solomito, who is currently sixth in modifieds and tied for first in Legends, doesn't have much time to think about the future.

Friday night, he graduated from Islip High and Saturday night, he'll be back in his proper habitat - the track.