Do the math: Zaleski a winner at Riverhead Raceway

The school year officially may have started earlier this month, but class has been in session at Riverhead Raceway since May, courtesy of Greg Zaleski.

Zaleski, a physical education teacher at Bayport-Blue Point's Academy Street Elementary School, is enjoying a career season in the grand enduro division. He'll look to finish his season Saturday night with one final win.

The 36-year-old Jamesport resident has already found victory lane twice this season and has finished on the podium in all four of his tries. Before this season, he had won just three times in 11 years.

"I think we finally hit on something that's worked," Zaleski said.

The secret: math. Zaleski runs calculations for everything from motion ratios to weight distribution before the green flag drops to make sure his car is in top running shape.

"It all comes down to preparation in the garage," Zaleski said. "A lot of people just pull their cars out beforehand and check the tires, but really there's a lot of math behind it all."

Once the season ends, Zaleski will be able to focus his attention on another longtime passion: soccer. He is an assistant coach with the Bayport-Blue Point High School boys soccer team.

Zaleski got into both racing and soccer at a young age. When he wasn't keeping tabs on his grandfather, father and uncles at the track, he was keeping balls out of the net for Southold High School, and later, Brandeis University.

"I was always in the garage helping out," he said of his racing background. "It was something I always grew up with."

Luckily for Zaleski, there's not too much conflict between soccer and coaching. The enduro season races only once a month, which frees up Zaleski's schedule more than most weekend racers.

Said Zaleski: "There's a little give and take there."