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Riverhead, NY Sept. 30th
By Bob Finan
For the second consecutive week mother nature has intervened in the 2023 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series championship chase at Riverhead Raceway. Lingering shower combined with cool temperatures forced Connie Partridge & Tom Gatz to cancel the Championship Night program Saturday. In an unprecedented move it was announced Championship Night would now move to Saturday October 14th, with a Sunday rain date option.
The same coastal system that wiped out the September 23rd race program featuring the Cecil Palm Tree 160 looped around the Atlantic and returned to the area Friday into Saturday forcing the difficult decision. The unique turn of events left track management in unchartered waters, never in the 73-year history of the venue had a season ended with two straight rainouts. Together with track GM John Ellwood, Partridge and Gatz announced Championship Night would be moved to Saturday October 14th.
Teams should note the October 14th itinerary has been posted on the track webpage, www.riverheadraceway,com. Pit sign-in will open at 8:00 am October 14th with haulers entering at 9:00 am. Rotating practice will commence at 11:30 am, qualifying follows at 1:30 pm. Opening ceremonies are expected to start at 3:00 pm or following qualifying. If the Sunday October 15th rain date is needed the race day schedule will remain the same.
The Cecil Palm Tree 66 NASCAR Modified event will be joined by the Late Models, Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and INEX Legend Race Cars on October 14th.
Championship Sunday set for tomorrow, October 1st will be presented as scheduled with weather expected to clear in time for racing. Track officials have disclosed no extra practice for NASCAR teams will be available Sunday.
For a breakdown of the October 14th race day itinerary please visit http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach us at office@riverheadraceway.com while the phone number is 631-842-RACE.
