TWO FREE TO THE PUBLIC RIVERHEAD RACEWAY PRACTICE DAYS ANNOUNCED FOR APRIL 22ND & APRIL 29TH, ENDURO OPENING DAY MOVED UP TO SUNDAY APRIL 30TH

Riverhead, NY Mar. 29th

By Bob Finan

Baseball fans have spring training to look forward to during a long off season, but if you are a race fan on Long Island you very much look forward to the two practice days at Riverhead Raceway signaling another exciting race season is right around the corner. Today track officials announced Saturday April 22nd and Saturday April 29th as the two practice days with the tradition of free grandstand admission remaining in place for eager race fans. Also, track owners Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz revealed the Enduro Opening Day program has been moved up one week to Sunday April 30th starting the new race season a week earlier. 

During the off-season race teams have been planning and working towards the 2023 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series opener at Riverhead on Saturday May 6th. The practice days afford teams the opportunity to find out how their winter efforts will pan out and to make any further adjustments they hope land them in victory lane. Fans are encouraged to capture as many photos as they can of the cars in their new livery for the 2023 campaign and share them on social media. The two free admission practice days also serve as a good vehicle for loyal race enthusiasts to introduce to their friends, family and neighbors the sport they love at no cost. 

John Ellwood, GM of Riverhead Raceway disclosed the agenda in place for race teams April 22nd and 29th. The pit window will open at 8:15, with pit gates to swing open at 9:00 am. At 11:00 am both weeks race cars take to the famed quarter mile in the following order, Blunderbusts, Street Stocks, Super Pro Trucks, Crate Modifieds. Late Models, INEX Legend Race Cars, NASCAR Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Eddie Partridge All-Star Vintage Cars, INEX Bandoleros and Figure Eights. NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series teams will practice in rotation until 4:00 pm, followed by the Truck Enduros, 8-Cylinder Enduros and 4/6-Cylinder Gut & Go warm-ups that run until 5:00 pm. 

All race teams are reminded by GM John Ellwood and Chief of Technical Inspection Randy Murray that no race vehicle can take to the track without first going through and passing a Safety Inspection. Two Safety Inspection days proceed practice days on Saturday April 8th and April 15th at the track from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm with a $20 fee per car. On practice days the Safety Inspection process will start shortly after the pit gste opening at 9:00 am. Additionally Ellwood also warned teams that no cars can practice without registering a 2023 car number. That process can only be completed by visiting www.riverheadraceway.com, click on the Competitors Page link to find the Car Registration portion. No car number will be registered at any point of the season in person, no exceptions. 

Under the heading why wait a week, Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz recently decided it was best to move up the Enduro Opening Day to Sunday April 30th. Pit gates will open at 10:00 am, with practice starting at 11:00 am. Practice will be limited to only divisions racing Sunday, Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, INEX Bandoleros, Truck Enduro, 8-Cylinder Enduro and 4/6-Cylinder Gut & Go Enduro classes. The Street Stock and Mini Stock divisions get right down to business as they both run their first race of the 2023 Miller Lite Triple Crown Series, with classes in both utilizing heat race qualifying for feature event line ups. Heats start at 12:30 pm, opening ceremonies are set for 1:00 pm, spectator gates open at 12 noon.

For a complete schedule of events please visit www.riveheadraceway.com, e-mails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com with the phone number 631-842-RACE. 

PRESEASON SAFETY INSPECTION DATES ANNOUNCED FOR RIVERHEAD RACEWAY APRIL 8TH & APRIL 15TH

Riverhead, NY Mar. 15th.

By Bob Finan

With 2023 Speedweeks firmly in the rearview mirror, Riverhead Raceway announced today two preseason safety inspection days Saturday April 8th and Saturday April 15th. Weather permitting, both inspection days run from 10:00 am through 3:00 pm and kickoff a busy month of April leading up to the 73rd season opening weekend Saturday evening May 6th and Sunday afternoon May 7th. Riverhead Modified teams competing with the NASCAR Spec engine package can have their engines sealed by NASCAR WMT officials during the April 15th inspections. 

Riverhead GM John Ellwood along with Randy Murray, the veteran Chief of Inspection remind all competitors no race vehicle will be permitted on track at any point in 2023 until passing a safety inspection and are outfitted with a sticker showing they have passed. A $20 per car fee will be charged both days with teams reminded by Ellwood of one very important requirement for both days, "under any circumstances can a race motor be started during our inspection days. If teams park a distance away from the inspection area, we will provide you with a push truck to get you where you need to be and back". 

Ellwood added, "We want to thank NASCAR and WMT Director Jimmy Wilson for making available to our Modified teams the availability of having their Spec engines sealed April 15th. They've started a busy season but still are making the trip which we appreciate greatly". For his part Randy Murray noted if time and weather conditions permit he and his staff would seal engines and carburetors if possible. 

Race teams who have not yet registered a car number for the 2023 season are reminded they must complete that process in its entirety before hitting the track. If the form is deemed incomplete a number will not be issued. To register a car number visit www.riverheadraceway.com, click on the Competitors Page link, there is a $52 per car number registration fee. This process can't be completed at the track in person, no exceptions. 

The two safety inspection days lead up to on track testing for the 2023 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Saturday April 22nd and Saturday April 29th. The two afternoon practice days feature free grandstand admission for spectators while regular pit fees in place for race teams.

The 2023 race season gets underway with a doubleheader weekend planned by Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz for May 6th & May 7th. Saturday evening the NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models, Crate Modifieds, Figure Eights, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and INEX Legend Race Cars usher in a new Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series season. Sunday afternoon the annual May Meltdown program hits the track featuring the Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, INEX Bandoleros, Truck Enduro, 8-Cylinder Enduro and a Gut & Go 4/6-Cylinder Enduro. 

The complete 2023 event schedule can be viewed at www.riverheadracewaay.com, e-mails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com. Our phone number remains 631-842-RACE. 

RIVERHEAD RACEWAY ANNOUNCES THREE 2023 NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR DATES, BUZZ CHEW CHEVROLET-CADILLAC 200 SET FOR MAY 20TH

Riverhead, NY Mar. 5th

By Bob Finan

While Riverhead Raceway is the shortest track visited by the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the demanding bullring nestled on Eastern Long Island will again be the most frequented by WMT teams in 2023. Track owners Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz have inked three dates for 2023 with Riverhead Raceway anchoring the 19 event WMT schedule. The first WMT stop at the demanding but always exciting bullring features the Buzz Chew Chevrolet-Cadillac 200 Saturday evening May 20th.

"It's going to be a busy year for the WMT" proclaimed track GM John Ellwood, "Connie, Tom and I are super excited that Riverhead Raceway will be right in the thick of things in deciding the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship through our three races". Indeed there is cause for excitement for the '23 WMT dates as in 2022 each of the three races told a very different story. Last May, just days before the Buzz Chew Chevrolet-Cadillac 200, Doug Coby of Milford, Ct., was announced as a substitute driver for Jimmy Blewett in the Tommy Baldwin Racing entry with Coby promptly winning the race. Fast forward to over a month later where four-time track Modified champion Kyle Soper of Manorville scored one for the home team winning the Miller Lite 200 becoming the first weekly Riverhead driver to win a WMT event since 1995. For the third WMT stop last season history was made when infield pitting was introduced at the inaugural Eddie Partridge 256, a race won by Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, notching his 9th career WMT triumph at his home track. 

The first WMT stop of 2023 at Riverhead unfolds Saturday evening May 20th with the Buzz Chew Chevrolet-Cadillac 200. Joining the WMT stars are the Blunderbusts, INEX Legend Race Cars, Street Stocks and Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars. A month later the WMT troops return to Riverhead for what promises to be a very special evening, the Miller Lite Salutes Mike Ewanitsko 200 Saturday June 24th. The race will celebrate the always popular and successful Mike Ewanitsko who ranks first in NASCAR WMT victories at Riverhead with 11. Ellwood noted, "Mike remains a polarizing personality whenever he visits the track, especially Riverhead and we feel it is time to honor his successes & popularity". Ewanitsko will serve as the Grand Marshall for the night that includes the Crate Modifieds, Super Pro Trucks, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks.

The 2023 WMT visits wrap up with the 2nd annual Eddie Partridge 256 Saturday September 16th. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Director Jimmy Wilson in conjunction with Riverhead Raceway officials announced that the infield pitting procedure introduced last year will be in place again for the 256. The first two Riverhead WMT races will use the "hot pit" set-up in the track pit area. The Late Models, Blunderbusts, Street Stocks and Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars round out the program.

Make your plans now to join us for one, or all three of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events at Riverhead Raceway in 2023. The 2023 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series opens up Saturday May 6th with seven divisions in action. The next stop for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is Friday March 31st at the Richmond Raceway. Weekly Riverhead racing as well all WMT events can be streamed live on the Flo Racing platform. 

To view the 2023 track schedule please visit www.riverheadraceway.com and click the events link, e-mails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com. The phone number is 631-842-RACE

DOUBLEHEADER WEEKEND TO USHER IN 73RD SEASON OF RACING AT RIVERHEAD RACEWAY SATURDAY MAY 6TH & SUNDAY MAY 7TH

Riverhead, NY Jan. 25th

By Bob Finan

Entering their eighth season as owners and promoters of Riverhead Raceway, Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz announced the 2023 schedule of events at the annual championship awards ceremony in early January. The new schedule is once again packed full of NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series racing as well popular and entertaining family fun programs. The curtain goes up on the busy '23 campaign with a double header weekend May 6th & May 7th. Saturday night seven NAAWS divisions go to post on opening night, while Sunday afternoon finds the annual May Meltdown Enduro opener complemented by the INEX Bandolero racers.

The weekly Saturday night program runs from May 6th through September 30th featuring the NASCAR Modifieds as the headlining division. Sixteen regular season, championship points paying races are slated for the Modifieds during the spring/summer, six of which make up the 2023 Crown Jewel Series for the 3rd annual Ted Christopher Cup. The chase for the TC Cup starts with the annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 which moves up to a June 17th date for '23. The Crown Jewel Series quickly returns July 1st for the 73rd Year Celebration/Flying Dutchman tribute race. A yet to be titled, distance to be determined fourth Crown Jewel Series event is slated for July 29th and will be followed by the 4th annual Oval Speed Unlimited Bubba 150 on August 19th and the Palm Tree 160 September 23rd. The Ted Christopher Cup will be determined and presented at the conclusion of the 7th annual Islip 300 Saturday afternoon November 11th. Races that are not part of the Crown Jewel Series will be 50-laps in feature distance.

Kyle Soper of Manorville and his Eastport Feeds team will be aiming for their fifth NASCAR Modified track championship over the past six seasons in 2023, while John Beatty Jr. of Merrick is expected to defend his 2022 Crown Jewel Series title that yielded his MSM Elite Motorsports team the Ted Christopher Cup last November.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is gearing up for three events in 2023 at Riverhead. The Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 will get things going on Long Island for the WMT troops Saturday May 20th, followed by the Miller Lite Salutes Mike Ewanitsko 200 on June 24th and concludes with the Eddie Partridge 256 September 16th. During the second stop of the WMT the tour and Riverhead Raceway will honor and salute Mike Ewanitsko, the all-time leading winner of WMT races at Riverhead with 11 victories. Mike will serve as Grand Marshall for the Miller Lite 200. The third WMT race will celebrate the life and vision of the late Eddie Partridge, two years after his untimely passing.  

All six champions of the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series are expected to defend their 2022 championship starting with the May 6th opener. Shawn Patrick of Brightwaters, (Late Models), Owen Grennan of Glen Cove (Crate Modifieds), Scott Pedersen of Shirley (Figure 8), Cody Triola of Bay Shore (Blunderbusts), Sean Glennon of Northport (Super Pro Trucks) and Eric Hersey of Commack (Legends) are all currently working with their respective teams preparing for a title defense. All six support classes will partake in the three race Miller Lite Triple Crown Series dotted through their season.

The dust will barely settle from opening night when it leaps back into action for the May Meltdown Sunday afternoon May 7th. The Street Stock and Mini Stock racers get right down to business as both will kick off their Miller Lite Triple Crown Series during the opener and are joined by the Truck Enduro, 8-Cylinder Enduro and Gut & Go Enduro divisions. 2022 champions Dave Antos of Lindenhurst (Street Stocks), Andrew Farnham of Baldwin (Mini Stocks), Woot Lawrence of Southampton (Trucks), Pat Collins of Southampton (8-Cylinder) and John Palmeri of Lindenhurst (Gut & Go) are expected to defend their 2022 championships. All five Enduro classes when not racing during the two Sunday shows this season will be in action on select Saturday evenings during the year. The 2023 Enduro season will conclude as it started, with a Sunday stand alone show on September 24th

The wildly popular INEX Bandoleros are back for season three kicking off at the May Meltdown with the Bandit and Outlaw classes in action. Ben Morabito of Miller Place scored the Bandit title in '22, while Chevy Rommeney of Bohemia topped the Outlaw championship chase. The highlight of the 2023 INEX Bandolero schedule finds the youngsters part of the two Wednesday night special in August.

A plethora of family fun nights are scheduled to entertain young and old alike at the historic oval. Fireworks are set for the 73rd Year Celebration July 1st and return for I Love America Night on August 12th. School Bus events are plentiful this spring/summer with School, Bus Figure Eight events on May 13th and June 3rd followed by hard hitting School Bus Demolition Derby contests July 15th and Wednesday evening August 2nd. The car crushing fun of Monster Trucks return for the Night of Destruction July 22nd along with the special midweek Back To School Spectacular Wednesday evening August 23rd. The National Stock 4/6-Cylinder Demolition Derby will be presented on First Responders Night September 9th.

Two Wednesday night midweek specials will be presented on August 2nd and August 23rd. 

Two Saturday afternoon practice days have been set aside by track management featuring free grandstand admission, they will unfold on April 22nd and April 29th.

Competitors should register their 2023 car number and update all information pertaining to their race team as soon as possible. Teams should visit www.riverheadraceway.com and click on the Competitors Page to find and complete the mandated form. Car numbers are not considered reserved until all information is correctly filled out and a confirming e-mail is received in return.

The complete 2023 schedule of events can be found at www.riverheadraceway.com, e-mails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com while the phone number remains 631-842-RACE.