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Riverhead, NY Apr. 16th
By Bob Finan
Anytime rain interrupts a Saturday night NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series event at Riverhead Raceway, one of the first thoughts among competitors and fans alike turns to, “why not race Sunday”. Thinking outside the box, Riverhead Raceway owners Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz announced during their 2025 schedule release they’ll set aside one Sunday per month for potential rain dates, as well a Saturday in October.
“While having a weekly Sunday rain date is not logistically feasible for the track staff, race teams and fans, Connie, Tom & myself felt setting aside one Sunday a month was more workable for all involved”, GM John Ellwood commented. The four Sunday dates start June 1st, joined by additional rain dates July 13th, August 10th and September 14th. Saturday October 18th is set aside only in the event the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Champions night is lost to weather September 27th.
In the event two shows are lost to weather prior to a Sunday rain date, the make-up program that utilizes a Sunday make-up is at the discretion of track management. The two NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events are not included in the new policy.
“So many loyal teams and spectators shuffle work & family schedules around racing at Riverhead Raceway, we felt disclosing these monthly rain dates would work better for them, as well as us” Ellwood concluded.
On track activity starts Saturday with the first of two practice days with cars taking to the track at 11:00 am this week, as well April 26th. Grandstands will open at 11:00 am with free admission for spectators. Race teams will have to pay the usual pit fees, $45 with a NASCAR license, $65 without for both practice days and regular season events in 2025.
After the testing and tuning is complete all eyes turn to the Pack the Track NASCAR opening night Saturday May 3rd with seven divisions in action. NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models, Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds, Figure Eights, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and INEX Legend Race Cars kickoff their 2025 championship chase. Spectator gates open at 4:00 pm with opening ceremonies slated for 6:00 pm. Adults are $30, kids 6-12 $15, 5 & under are free.
Some 12 hours later round two of opening weekend unfolds with the Sunday May Meltdown program. A full card of Street Stock, Mini Stock, INEX Bandolero, Truck Enduro, 8-Cylinder Enduro and 4/6-Cylinder Enduro wall to wall racing excitement is planned with opening ceremonies at 1:00 pm. Spectator gates swing open at 12 noon, adults are $30, kids 6-12 $15, 5 & under free.
The complete 2025 schedule of events can be found by visiting http://www.riverheadraceway.com, to reach track management emails can be forwarded to office@riverheadraceway.com. The track phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
