Riverhead Raceway Star Raises Funds For Trinca Family

After Keri Trinca and her 7-year old son lost their lives in a communities across Long Island grieved.

And at the where Keri Trinca was headed with Jason and her other two children Marialena 4, and Christopher, 2 -- Jason competed in the karting club there -- by the tragedy that claimed the lives of two of their own.

This year, Holtsville resident , who won the NASCAR Modified Track Championship at the Riverhead Raceway last year, while also competing full time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour full-time, is remembering the Trinca family and fundraising to help Keri's husband, Jay, and their children.

Bonsignore will race this June at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, in a charity event. The go kart event, an exhibition race, allows drivers to raise money for a charity of their choosing. "I chose Racin' for Jason to continue to raise money to help Jay and his two children," Bonsignore said.

He added that he chose the Trinca family because he knows the road ahead for Jay Trinca and his children is a long one. Marialena, known as "Freshie," after four months recovering from a broken leg and a traumatic brain injury.

"I hope the money I raise helps them cover any of the many bills they are faced with," Bonsignore said.

The grief over the loss of his friends is still very real for Bonsignore.

"Both Keri and Jason were amazing people," Bonsignore said. "Keri would do anything for anyone and was an all around great person with a big heart. Jason was, for sure, a future star in the racing world," he said.

Bonsignore added, of Jason, "The things he accomplished, his talents and desire at that young age, would have brought him as far as he wanted in the sport. He was a natural at everything he did, and racing was no different."

Helping out is something members of the racing community do, when tragedy strikes, Bonsignore noted. "The racing community is so great; they always come together in times of need for people," he said. "They might be fierce competitors on the track, but they come together like no other when people are faced with trouble. Racers are the best people in the world."