MAJOR NOR'EASTER PUSHES RIVERHEAD RACEWAY CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND TO OCTOBER 3RD & 4TH, RAIN OUT TOTAL FOR 2026 REACHES 10

When racetrack owners and event organizers enter a new season there are always hopes for a record season on many levels, and then those they hope never to reach. With a major nor'easter barreling towards Long Island for the weekend, Riverhead Raceway owners Connie Partridge & Tom Gatz late Thursday afternoon made the decision to move their 2026 Championship Weekend to Saturday October 3rd and Sunday October 4th. The loss of racing Saturday and Sunday marked the ninth and tenth rain outs of the season, a mark no promoter ever wants to reach. 

With heaviest impacts from the storm expected to arrive on Long Island Saturday and lingering into Sunday with high winds, heavy rain and flooding the decision to postpone was made Thursday. "It's amazing" GM John Ellwood shared, "Not only the ten rain outs, but this is the fourth time our annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 has been rained on". After a severe summer storm halted the 77 after qualifying on Friday August 7th, the race was slated to run the following two Fridays August 14th & 21st, but again weather interfered. 

The Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 for the Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modifieds will now headline Championship Saturday October 4th with the Late Models, Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds, TK Figure Eights, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and INEX Legend Race Cars running their final point races of 2026. The JuiceBox Racers will kick things off right after opening ceremonies.

Championship Sunday features the Street Stocks and Truck Enduros who'll run extra distance races in events sponsored by former multi-time track champion John Cozza and his The Hot Rod Shop of Venice, Florida. Joining in on the fun Sunday are the Mini Stocks, INEX Bandoleros, 8-Cylinder Enduro, 4/6-Cylinder Enduro and a Women's 8-Cylinder Enduro. A Kids Big Wheel Race and the JuiceBox Racers are also in action.

For a race day schedule, current 2026 championship standings heading into the weekend and pricing please visit www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach the track at [email protected], the phone number is 631-842-RACE.