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Riverhead, NY Jan. 11th
By Bob Finan
Born from a simple concept of a few Riverhead Raceway buddies getting together to watch the 1992 Daytona 500 at a venue in Rocky Point, the Long Island Daytona 500 Party tradition rolls on and continues Sunday February 18th at The All Star of Riverhead. For the 32nd consecutive “Great American Race” folks will come from all four corners of Long Island for an afternoon of racing, great food & drink and race pools while taking in the 500.
Veteran Riverhead Raceway broadcaster Stephen Halpin teams with twin brother Tim to host the festivities at The All Star of Riverhead where Tim’s son Connor is on the management team. “It’s crazy to think of the evolution of this party since 1992”, Stephen Halpin reflected, “despite a worldwide pandemic, changing venues, inclement weather and anything else thrown our way, the original and biggest Daytona 500 party on Long Island keeps on thriving”. Tim Halpin, who traditionally prepares and oversees the 500 race pools, added, “with The All Star of Riverhead, the 500 party truly has become more family friendly, the kids can bowl or visit the arcade on sight during the race and have some fun”.
Specials for the 32nd annual Daytona 500 Party will again be plentiful according to Connor Halpin, led by the $7 White Russian in honor of the late Tom Baldwin Sr., with a $7 Baldwin Strong Mexican Mule being introduced this year Connor further disclosed. Party goers will also enjoy pitchers of Budweiser or Bud Light for $10, or opt for $5, 16oz Bud, Bud Light or Coors Light pints, a 22oz upgrade is available at $7. Domestic buckets (5) of beer are available for $15 on domestics, $20 on imports while hard seltzers are prices at $20 per bucket (5) while High Noon buckets (5) are $22. Green Tea shots will be poured for $5, while well drinks start at $6. Those ordering a meal or sandwich off The All Star menu will receive a free pint of beer.
The there are the pools, the previously mentioned race pools hosted by Tim Halpin will kick into full gear at 1:00 pm, for 10 points you’ll receive 2 picks in the 40-car starting grid for the Daytona 500. Over the years as many as a dozen of these pools have been presented in one race day so get yours early and often. The annual flat screen TV “Super Bowl” style pool is up and running for the 2023 Long Island Daytona 500 party, boxes are currently available via Facebook. Boxes are 20 points each, the winner taking home the 65″ flat screen TV. It was announced recently that the TV winner can have the TV either delivered or picked up at a location convenient to them. Please visit Meredith or Stephen Halpin’s Facebook page for further details and to secure your box today. A third pool will be presented for garage passes for NASCAR Cup event at Pocono, Dover, New Hampshire and Richmond, winner choice of one, that pool is available the day of the Daytona 500.
Plenty of raffle and door prizes will be distributed right after the checker flag falls on the Daytona 500.
The All Star of Riverhead is located at 96 Main Road, Riverhead, NY 11901. Further details can be obtained by sending Stephen Halpin, Tim Halpin or Bob Finan a private message on Facebook Messenger. It is advised not to call The All Star for party details as many of their staff may not be familiar with information.
