Riverhead Raceway serves as sanctuary for Steuer

Chuck Steuer has an impressive resume on the Riverhead Raceway track, but it pales in comparison to his accomplishments off it.

For nearly seven years, Steuer has raised his two children - Larissa, 9, and Dillon, 8 - alone after his wife, Chrissy, passed away from breast cancer in August 2003.

Chrissy, who died at the age of 32, was diagnosed while pregnant with her second child. During that time, the raceway was Chuck's sanctuary.

"I kept racing just for my own medicine," the 42-year-old said. "That was my escape every week from the rest of my life. Saturdays were my way of getting away. It was my own therapy."

These days Larissa and Dillon, who are elementary school students in the Connetquot district, are regulars at the track, cheering on their father, who is a two-time NASCAR Modified champion (1996 and 2006) and 1992 champion of the Charger division. Chuck kicked the 2010 season off in style last Saturday with a win in the 35-lap opener, and it was one of the few races Larissa did not attend.

Said Chuck: "She complains because she thinks I only win when she's not there."

Last year, Steuer finished second in the Modifieds. He was tied for second place heading into the last week of the season, just three points behind the leader, but the finale was rained out and the season was declared over.

"We came real close," Steuer said, "but we didn't even get our chance."

This year, like the 20 before it, Steuer is back on the track - with his children looking on, and his wife's memory in his heart.

"It's a pretty rare situation that I'm in," he said. "I'm sure people respect what I had to go through."

NASCAR MODIFIED RESULTS

from May 1 (35 laps)

1. Chuck Steuer Bohemia

2. John Fortin Holtsville

3. Bill Park Manorville

4. Mike Andrews Jr. Ridge

5. Wayne Anderson Yaphank

SATURDAY

Racing begins at 5 p.m., featuring Modifieds, Late Models, Chargers, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and Grand Enduros.