STUBBORN SHOWERS FORCE RIVERHEAD RACEWAY TO POSTPONE OVAL SPEED BUBBA 150 UNTIL JULY 25TH
It wasn't from a lack of effort Saturday at Riverhead Raceway, but in the end, weather would again win out when track management was forced to cancel Saturday night's NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts program. The 7th annual Oval Speed Bubba 150 will now headline the regularly scheduled Saturday July 25th program. This most recent rainout was the third during the first nine weeks of the 2026 season.
Over recent years Riverhead Raceway when faced with a daunting weather forecast going into a weekend will make a decision if not late Friday, then first thing Saturday as to the status of a show. Heading into this weekend the local forecasters and weather apps indeed showed a gloomy Saturday pattern as late as Thursday night, Connie Partridge, Tom Gatz along with GM John Ellwood were set to make a Friday decision. However, suddenly Friday when it was decision time all apps and forecasts dropped rain chances as low as 15%, and management decided to press forward with Saturday racing. The first hint at a fly in the ointment came Saturday morning after the rain chances were bumped up to 24%, and by lunchtime to 80% with race teams already gathered outside the pit windows. Despite a delayed pit registration opening, once teams got inside the pits a light drizzle would appear, that drizzle became rain showers and at 4:00 PM the track
threw in the towel
"The weather folks & apps stink" GM John Ellwood quipped, "once we had rain after 3:00 PM we were pretty much done, add to that those apps and forecasts indicated rain would stick around on and off until 8:00 PM". Addressing those who bought pit passes Saturday before the show was lost to weather he added, "wristbands from Saturday will be honored for your next scheduled event, like the Buzz Chew NASCAR Modified teams, they can use those this Friday July 3rd for the Flying Dutchman Tribute 76". He also revealed that just the Oval Speed Bubba 150 would move to the July 25th date, other races scheduled Saturday would not be made up.
The first Friday program of the season unfolds as Ellwood mentioned in his remarks this Friday July 3rd. A huge Fireworks display will commemorate the 76th Year Celebration of Riverhead Raceway and celebrate the 250th birthday of America. The Fireworks extravaganza will be presented by Special FX Wizard and be joined by the annual Flying Dutchman Tribute 76 for the Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modifieds. The 76 will now serve as the first of five races in the 2026 Crown Jewel Series for the Ted Christopher Cup, Chase Grennan of Glen Cove is the defending race winner.
Joining the Friday night fun are the Super Pro Trucks, Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars, Truck Enduro and a Kids Big Wheel race. Pit windows open at 5:00 PM, the pit gates at 5:30 PM with opening ceremonies at approximately 8:00 PM. General admission windows open at 6:00 PM. Adults are $30, kids 6-12 $20, 5 & under free.
To check out all the great racing and family entertainment events that will heat up the summer on Long Island visit http://www.riverheadraceway.com. Emails reach us at [email protected], the phone number remains 631-842-RACE