RVERHEAD RACEWAY SALUTES LOCAL HEROES WITH NEWSDAY TRIBUTE TO FIRST RESPONDERS, 50% OFF GENERAL ADMISSION WITH ID SATURDAY
Riverhead Raceway will pause to honor our local heroes Saturday night September 5th as Newsday presents a Tribute to First Responders. All active first responders with valid ID receive 50% off adult general admission tickets to enjoy a night of NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O'Reilly Auto Parts featuring a Demolition Derby and First Responders race.
Annually Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz of Riverhead Raceway present this special program highlighted by the parade of first responders from various agencies during opening ceremonies. The entire quarter mile oval is filled with local heroes who protect and care for us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, many on a volunteer basis. Of course, on the fun side of the coin, the annual 4/6-Cylinder Gut & Go First Responders race during the evening pits fire vs. police, or EMT vs fire or military vs. police during this wall-to-wall race of heroes.
In NASCAR and INEX racing the TK Figure Eights will lead the way with their 15-lap feature event with Allan Pedersen of Center Moriches, fresh off sweeping the Two for TK Twin 9 events the week prior looking to continue his win streak. No driver at Riverhead in 2026 is hotter than INEX Legend Race Car championship leader Riely O'Keefe of Manorville who won his seventh race in nine starts during last Saturday's Sara Sylvester National Qualifier 50.
Other drivers seeking back-to-back wins during the special night of racing are Jarrod Hayes of Calverton in the Street Stocks, Joe Warren Jr. of Ridge in the Mini Stocks, Aria Ligon in the INEX Bandolero Outlaws, Mason Goodale of Riverhead with the INEX Bandolero Bandits and James White III of Southampton who won his first career INEX Bandolero Beginner event last Friday.
The newest division at Riverhead Raceway will thrill the first responders and their families Saturday as the 4/6-Cylinder Gut & Go Figure Eight class goes to post during the race card.
A bow will be put on the night of racing excitement and thrills with an old school, heavy metal 8-Cylinder Demolition Derby. More recent Demo events at Riverhead have been with 4/6-Cylinder machines, but Saturday these daredevils return to their old iron roots.
General admission windows open at 5:00 PM Saturday, adults are $30 ($15 with 1st Responder ID), $20 kids 6-12, 5 & under are free. Hear race qualifying stats at 5:30 PM, opening ceremonies are planned for 6:00 PM.
To purchase advance tickets, review the complete race day itinerary or track the 2026 championship standings please visit www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach us at [email protected], our phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
