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Riverhead, NY Oct. 24th
By Bob Finan
Prior to the 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour finale Thursday at the historic Martinsville Speedway, WMT officials revealed a 16-race 2026 schedule that will take the touring racers from Florida to Maine. Riverhead Raceway owners Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz are proud and excited to again host two events in 2026 with the Miller Lite Salute to Don Howe Saturday May 30th along with the Eddie Partridge 256 Saturday September 19th. The two races mark the 78th and 79th appearances of the WMT since 1985.
The 2026 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour jump starts their 2026 campaign Saturday February 7th at the ultra-fast New Smyrna Speedway and will conclude the chase for the 2026 WMT championship Sunday October 11th.”The weather definitely tested our resolve in 2025″ Riverhead GM John Elwood pointed out, “but despite having to use rain dates for both events the anticipation and excitement the WMT delivers overcomes those obstacles. Connie & Tom are all in for 2026”. The 2025 Miller Lite Salute to Steve Park was pushed back to Sunday June 15th after rain wiped out Saturday plans, while the Eddie Partridge 256 in September was delayed a month until October 4th due to weather.
Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville became the all-time Riverhead Raceway WMT winner with his early season victory, his 12th at Riverhead during the Father’s Day Miller Lite Salute to Steve Park 200. Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa and Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, NY completed the podium. The October 4th, the win that many point to as the turning point in the 2025 WMT championship tussle occurred when Austin Beers of Northampton, Pa won the Eddie Partridge 256. The prevailing thought among those in the know was Beers going to Justin’s “house” and taking home the win may have changed the dynamic of the 2025 championship chase. Beers bested Ron Silk of Norwalk, Ct and Bonsignore on that cool Saturday evening.
When the WMT rolls into the Riverhead Raceway garage May 30th for their first of two 2026 visits they’ll race in the Miller Lite Salutes Don Howe 200. Don Howe of Water Mill, a former five-time NASCAR Modified champion at the quarter mile bullring scored 28 career victories in route to those titles, one a NASCAR WMT triumph in June 1994 over Reggie Ruggiero and Wayne Anderson. Don ranks 13th on the all-time win list and is still taking checker flags with the same Cavalier, he concluded his career racing with the Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars.
To call the 2026 Eddie Partridge 256 a race that could change the complexion of the WMT late season championship chase will be in play more than before with the September 19th WMT visit the penultimate race of the season. As has been the case over the past few years, if the 2026 WMT title fight is tight at the top coming to Riverhead the pressure will be on for those in contention to come away with a good outing heading to the Thompson finale a month later.
As to the complete 2026 Riverhead Raceway schedule John Ellwood hinted, “we are buttoning a few things up and hope to release it soon, real soon. I can say this, “Ellwood furthered, “it’s got some new twists and turns, so strap in”.
The 9th annual, $12,000 to win Islip 300 November 15th will be the final order of business in 2025, tour type Modified teams, Crate Modified, INEX Legend Race Cars and Street Stock teams are urged to register for the event by visiting http://www.riverheadraceway.com and follow the link on the home page. Emails reach the track at office@riverheadraceway.com, the phone number is 631-842-RACE.
