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Riverhead, NY Sept. 3rd
By Bob Finan
The emotions will be wide ranging Saturday September 10th at Riverhead Raceway, the first anniversary of the passing of track owner Eddie Partridge after winning a NASCAR WMT at Richmond Raceway. In order to celebrate Eddie’s life in racing as well away from the track Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz will present the Cecil Palm Tree 160 for the NASCAR Modifieds on a Tribute To First Responders night. Cecil Palm Tree was a racing alias Eddie used some years ago during a short stint as a race driver.
“Eddie loved the longer distance races with tire changes and all that went with them” track GM John Ellwood reflected. With that in mind Ellwood disclosed, “each team will be permitted to buy 5 tires for the Cecil Palm Tree 160. They must start the race on the four tires they qualify on and will have one change tire for race strategy” John also announced a hot pit will be set up in the impound area at the top of the pit area for tire changes and other work. “Eddie Partridge was a bigger than life figure, we have to honor him with a race that fits that stature. We miss him every day but will never forget what he meant to this place” Ellwood added. A special remembrance of Eddie will be presented during opening ceremonies.
The Cecil Palm Tree 160 is the second to last race in the chase for the 2022 NASCAR Modified title at Riverhead Raceway with Kyle Soper of Manorville seeking his fourth title in the past five years. Heading into action Sept. 3rd Soper led his best friend off track Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills by 21-markers with opening night winner John Beatty Jr. of Merrick sitting third 35 back of Soper. With this being the first Cecil Palm Tree 160 every driver who signs in wants to take home a special trophy from the event including,Dave Brigati of Calverton, Chris Young of Calverton, Justin Brown of Manorville, Jack Handley Jr of Medford, Chris Rogers of Patchogue, Michael Rutkoski of Mattituck, Jason Agugliaro of Islip and Chris Turbush of Wading River.
September 10th is an open date for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour whose next event is the following Saturday September 17th at Riverhead Raceway, It is unknown if any top ranking WMT teams will stop by to run the 160 that is part of the Crown Jewel Series for the Ted Christopher Cup. NASCAR’s Jimmy Wilson in conjunction with Riverhead management recently announced the September 17th event will be the Eddie Partridge 256, complete with infield pitting and tire changes in honor of Eddie, a two-time WMT championship car owner. The Eddie Partridge 256 will be the 70th start for the WMT at Riverhead Raceway.
Complementing the Cecil Palm Tree 160 Saturday are the Figure Eights, Super Pro Trucks, Mini Stocks and First Responder 4/6-Cylinder Gut & Go Enduro. To say thank you and pay tribute to all First Responders Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz will offer 50% off an adult general admission ticket with a valid ID from law enforcement, firefighters professional of volunteer, EMT’s and military. The offer applies only at general admission as normal pit fees will apply.
Spectator gates will open at 4:00 pm, adults are $30 or $15 with valid First Responder ID, kids 6-12 $10, 5 & under free. A complete race day itinerary will be available later in the week at www.riverheadraceway.com, E-mails reach the track at office@riverheadraceway.com and our phone number is 631-842-RACE.
