Riverhead Raceway Names Scott Tapley New Race Director
Eddie & Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz the new owners of Riverhead Raceway have begun the process of putting a staff together for the 2016 race season and on Tuesday afternoon they announced that veteran race official Scott Tapley of Poland Spring, Maine has agreed to come on board in the capacity of Race Director at popular quarter-mile oval.
“We have heard good things about Scott from the racers and owners that have raced at tracks or on a series where he was the race director” Eddie & Connie Partridge stated while making the announcement, “we feel he is the right fit,” Tom Gatz added, “Scott is a no-nonsense official and that is what we need at Riverhead moving forward.” Tom also noted, “Scott is making a huge commitment to us as he’ll be traveling weekly from Maine. We are very excited to have Scott on our team and what he can bring to the future success of Riverhead Raceway. We feel he will immediately have a positive impact at the track.”
The energetic Tapley who currently serves as the Race Director at the Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire as well the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park is looking forward to his new challenge on Long Island. “I’m very excited as well thankful for the opportunity Eddie, Connie & Tom have presented me and I look forward to keep the racing at Riverhead Raceway moving in a positive direction.” Tapley will officiate the weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events from the scoring tower and be responsible overseeing all on track racing and activity. As to his weekly commute to Riverhead “I love what I do, it’s a labor of love and yes I rack up the miles on my car.”
Aside from his Race Director role at Lee, Thompson and now Riverhead Raceway, Scott owns Tapleydesigns.com a firm that builds and maintains web pages for such clients as Lee USA Speedway, Ryan Preece, Justin Bonsignore and Chase Dowling. Additionally Tapley hosts In The Pits, a weekly motorsports show on WJAB 96,3 FM out of Portland, Maine. In 2013, he served as the Race Director for the Valenti Modified Racing Series and this past season served in that same capacity at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Tapley will be working very closely with Riverhead Raceway GM John Ellwood who was part of the process to bring Scott on board. “I’m encouraged with the conversations and relationship Scott and I have built over the last few weeks,” an enthusiastic Ellwood said. “I’m excited to be involved with Scott and feel he’s the right man for the job and we will prosper with great side by side racing. I’ll back Scott and give him all the tools necessary”.
Look for future exciting announcements concerning the 2016 season and the future of Riverhead Raceway by following us at www.riverheadraceway.com. To send an e-mail please forward correspondence to info@riverheadraceway.com.
Sources: Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR