WEST ISLIP, NY :: Justin Bonsignore is currently leading the points standings after four NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events as he heads back to his home track of Riverhead Raceway on Long Island where he scored his first win.

Race 22: Why did you get started racing?

Justin Bonsignore: It was a family thing. My dad and his two brothers were involved in a go-kart business for a long time. I started when I was six years old and I’ve been racing ever since.

R22: What race track do you wish was on the schedule that isn’t?

JB: I’ve seen on your website probably Richmond everybody seems to agree on. Or Watkins Glen would be cool. They say Richmond was a real fun race back years ago and I just like road racing so I think Watkins Glen would be cool.

R22: You’ve told me before that you enjoy road racing. Why is that?

JB: Well I grew up doing it with go karts. That’s all I did for a long time. And then we did it a few times at Limerock and it’s just a lot of fun. Bouncing off the curbs and you’re on and off the throttle and everything is so different than what you’re used to. And quite honestly I’m pretty decent at it too so it’s a lot more fun when you’re good.

R22: If money wasn’t an issue what race track around the world would you most want to race?

JB: I think Monaco is pretty cool. I don’t care what type of car it would be in. But that seems like it would be a fun race track to do one day. I don’t think that will ever happen but if the possibility were there that would be it.

R22: Do you have any superstitions or routines that you do each week? Or any lucky charms?

JB: Not really. I’ve got a few odds and ends things, but nothing that really sticks to mind. Other than maybe the way I get in and out of the car and put my stuff on. But I just try not to buy into that kind of stuff because then you getmessed up if you don’t remember it.

R22: What do you usually eat before a race?

JB: I’m the worst with that. I tend not to eat. I guess I get a little too worked up and I distract myself too much and I tend not to eat too much. If there’s anything in the hauler I’m usually munching on stuff but never anything that I should be eating before I get in a race car.

R22: You ever get halfway through a race and think “I really should have eaten something before the race?”

JB: Yeah. I’ve been hungry a couple times, but at that point you just have to try to blank it out. I just tend to get myself a little too worked up and a little nervous but I just distract myself.

R22: Away from the race track what is a typical day in the life of Justin Bonsignore?

JB: Work, work, work. And then go work on race cars and hang out with the guys in the shop. That’s pretty much it. Every night is work all day and then go to the shop. If I get an off night I hope I’m watching the Rangers. If I’m off I usually just try to do something involved with racing, but I don’t get much time away from it.

R22: Where do you work?

JB: I work at a fiber-optic company. We install fiber on the poles and splice it and stuff like that. It’s a pretty good job. My boss used to sponsor me back years ago so he understands the racing side of it and I can take off whenever I need.

R22: What’s the last movie you saw and how was it?

JB: I hate to admit it but I watched the new Fast and the Furious the other day on demand. I guess it was alright. I shouldn’t admit that I’m watching such stupid movies, but sometimes when you’ve got nothing else to do you flip through the channels and that was it. Now I’ve gotta wait until the new one, the seventh one.