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Riverhead, NY Jan 19th
By Bob Finan
Long Island’s original Daytona 500 Party returns for the 31st consecutive year Sunday February 19th, 2023 at The All Star of Riverhead. The popular gathering of the Long Island racing community will be hosted by Riverhead Raceway announcer Stephen Halpin and his twin brother, noted racing spotter Tim. The Long Island Daytona 500 Party featuring free admission will be presented in the restaurant/pub area of The All Star, a state-of-the art bowling and entertainment center located east of Riverhead Raceway on Main Road.
From modest beginnings at Gallagher’s Pub in Rocky Point where the Halpin’s, Bob Finan and a few friends gathered to have lunch and watch the “Great American Race” in 1992, to the current configuration, the Long Island Daytona 500 Party has seen many changes before settling in at The All Star. “When looking back over the 30 years it is pretty amazing” Stephen Halpin reflected, “we dodged snow, freezing temperatures, ice and even a worldwide pandemic, but here we are entering our 31st year. It truly is the unofficial start of a new race season on Long Island”, Brother Tim added. “it’s just a ton of fun all afternoon, rooting our favorite drivers on, reacting to all that makes the Daytona 500 the great race it is and of course hoping you win one of the pools. Why sit home, come out and find out what all the fuss is about”. Over the years the L.I. Daytona 500 Party has often been imitated but never duplicated.
Connor Halpin, Tim’s son, is part of The All-Star management team and Tuesday, Connor disclosed an expansive list of drink and food specials for the 2023 L.I. Daytona 500 Party. Budweiser & Bud Light pitchers $10, 16oz. Coors Light, Bud or Bud Light drafts are $5, or you can upsize to 22oz for $7. Domestic buckets of beer (5) are $15, while import buckets (5) are priced at $20. Those opting for Hard Seltzers can purchase a bucket (5) for $20, with a bucket (5) of High Noon available for $22. In honor of the late “Tiger Tom Baldwin $7 White Russians will be served at the party. Well drinks go for $6, Green Tea shots $5. On the food menu, any burger or sandwich entree comes with a complimentary pint of beer. Personal Flatbread Pizzas are priced at $7 while Nachos are $5, $7 if you upgrade to loaded Nachos.
A huge movie theatre style screen, with surround sound is perched the entire length behind the bar of The All Star making you feel you are actually in Daytona Beach, Florida. The screen is visible from any vantage point of the restaurant with additional flat screen televisions strategically placed throughout the pub area.
The famed Daytona 500 pools organized by Tim Halpin will commence at 1:00 pm, two picks for $10 gives you two shots at victory. In the past Tim has sold numerous race day pools allowing for multiple winners when the checker flag falls and he expects to do the same February 19th. Stephen Halpin additionally disclosed he’ll again host a pool with one winner taking home a Big Screen TV in a pool formatted like a Super Bowl box pool. Additionally, plenty of great prizes courtesy of the supporting beer companies will be raffled off at the conclusion of the race.
The All Star is located at 96 Main Road in Riverhead, NY, 11901. For further information contact, Bob Finan, Stephen or Tim Halpin, via Facebook Messenger. Please do not call The All Star as most of the staff are not aware of party details, thank you
