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Riverhead, NY Sept. 1st
By Bob Finan
Photo Tom Morris/Myracenews
Heading into the third and final WMT event of the 2022 season at Riverhead Raceway it was announced live pit stops on the infield of the quarter mile oval would be introduced. Right from that disclosure skeptics arose with questions of logistics, and safety. However, by the time Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville completed the winner’s interview, proponents and skeptics alike deemed the live stops a success and hoped for more in 2023. Today Jimmy Wilson of NASCAR in conjunction with Riverhead Raceway management announced live pit stops for the 2023 edition of the Eddie Partridge 256 will return.
The concept of live pit stops came about when track GM John Ellwood floated the idea at first to Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz. After gaining their approval, Ellwood then convinced NASCAR and Jimmy Wilson. A mid-summer test of the new infield hot pit, complete with walls, and stop and go lights was conducted by the Ken Massa Motorsports team under the watchful eyes of Jimmy Wilson and John Ellwood. Justin Bonsignore fully endorsed the infield pitting stating. “it’s going to increase the fan experience immensely”.
“Eddie Partridge loved the bigger Modified races and all that went with them. That is why he came up with the Islip 300 concept” Ellwood recalled, ” Eddie and I discussed the possibility of infield pitting here from time to time, once he passed, I knew we had to at least propose it and test it”.
With the fans in the stands looking on, joined by those watching on Flo Racing, the inaugural Eddie Partridge 256, complete with live infield pit stops was deemed a success with Bonsignore leading Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park and Ron Silk of Norwalk, Ct. to the podium.
Fast forward to the 2nd annual Eddie Partridge 256 and the 2023 championship chase is as intense as it can get heading into Labor Day weekend at Oswego Speedway. Silk carries one point lead over Bonsignore heading into the holiday weekend with upstart talent Austin Beers of Northampton third, 37 back of Silk. After Bonsignore won the Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 in May, Silk came roaring back in June for his first Riverhead WMT victory in the Miller Lite 200.
Complimenting the Eddie Partridge 256 program are the Late Models, Blunderbusts, Street Stocks and Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars. Further details will be released at http://www.riverheadraceway.com, e-mails reach the track at office@riverheadraceway.com, the phone number remains 631-842-RACE
