Solomito emotional after first victory of season

Shawn Solomito doesn't just race to win these days.

Every time he steps into his car, he carries the memory of 7-year-old Jason Trinca in his heart.

Trinca and his mother, Keri, were killed last October after the car she was driving was struck by a van on County Road 111 close to their Manorville home.

Jason was a regular at the track and was involved in go-kart races. His father, also named Jason, serves as Solomito's spotter.

Solomito, who races in the NASCAR Modified Twin 30s division, scored his first win of the season last week at Riverhead Raceway.

It was the biggest win of his career as the Islip High School graduate held off Ted Christopher.

Christopher, a seven-time track champion at the Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway who has won 114 career feature events, is regarded as one of the top drivers in all of the Northeast.

"The win was something special," Solomito said, "And it was very emotional. [Jason] was a real close friend."

It hasn't been easy getting past the tragedy, but Solomito, 23, has managed to keep racing at the forefront.

Said Solomito: "Once the green flag dropped, the focus on the race was there. And the reality of everything finally hit me after the checkered flag dropped."

Part of that reality was getting his first win in the fifth week of the season.

"It's always cool to win early," Solomito said. "And [Christopher] is definitely someone you want to beat."