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Riverhead, NY Apr. 25th
By Bob Finan
The second scheduled practice day leading up to the 2026 race season at Riverhead Raceway was canceled early Saturday due to a weather system carrying 100% rain chances closing in on Long Island. Track owners Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz and staff now turn their focus towards the 2026 opening weekend Saturday evening May 2nd featuring NASCAR Pack the Track Night, followed by the Sunday May Meltdown program the next afternoon.
“Friday we were hopeful the forecast for Saturday showed rain coming in the late afternoon, we’d be okay for our second practice today”, a glum track GM John Ellwood shared, “unfortunately, the system picked up speed and also boasts 100% rain chances, so we made the call at 6:45 AM to cancel, saving teams a trip”. Aside from precipitation, Saturday morning temperatures hovered in the low 40’s in Riverhead.
The curtain goes up on the 76th season of racing at Riverhead Raceway next Saturday May 2nd with NASCAR Pack the Track Night taking center stage, Seven NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts feature events are scheduled led by the Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modified 50-lapper. The Late Models, Eagle Chevrolet Crate Modifieds, TK Figure Eights, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and INEX Legend Race Cars will all be in action. Opening ceremonies are planned for 6:30 PM, proceeded by qualifying. General admission gates open at 5:00 PM, $30 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12 with 5 and under free.
Just hours after the conclusion of Saturday racing, the famed quarter mile will be buzzing with the annual May Meltdown program headlined by the Street Stocks and Mini Stocks, both divisions part of the NASCAR Local Racing Series powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts. The stars of tomorrow, the INEX Bandoleros will run a Beginner, Bandit and Outlaw feature Sunday with the always popular Truck Enduro, 8-Cylinder Enduro and 4/6-Cylinder Enduro competitors in action. Completing the bust afternoon will be a Women’s 4/6-Cylinder race. Racing starts at 1:30 PM, general admission gates open at 12 noon, $30 for adults, $20 for kids 6-12 with 5 & under free.
“Our race teams should turn to the race day itinerary for pit window, pit gate and rotating practice schedules for both days, we’ll have that up soon” John Ellwood advised. Pit fees for 2026 are $45 with a NASCAR license, $65 without.
The new look schedule of events, including Friday racing in 2026 can be found at http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails can be forwarded to office@riverheadraceway.com, the phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
