Fireworks, Kids Big Wheel Race & Demolition Derby Joining Nascar Stock Cars Saturday July 10th at Riverhead Raceway
Riverhead, NY July 4th. — After coastal rain disrupted the planned 71st Year Celebration during the July 4th holiday weekend at Riverhead Raceway track owners Eddie & Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz announced the celebration must go on and it indeed will this Saturday evening July 10th. The Fireworks extravaganza along with the Kids Big Wheel Race and 4/6-Cylinder Demolition Derby join an action-packed six-division NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series program that will kick off with qualifying at 5:00 pm.
The July 3rd washout was the second of the 2021 race season at Riverhead Raceway with the first coming on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. When the Friday afternoon decision was made to cancel the program early so teams and fans could make alternate plans for Saturday the Riverhead Raceway management team quickly decided to move the Fireworks, Kids Big Wheel Race, and Demolition Derby to this Saturday, July 10th.
Heading into the 50-lap Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modified event Saturday former two-time track champion Kyle Soper of Manorville takes a 10-point lead over his good friend Dylan Slepian of Dix Hills into qualifying. Slepian along with defending champion Tom Rogers Jr. of Riverhead who is third by a mere point behind Dylan are both seeking their first win of 2021. With six Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series events run to date there have been no repeat winner but both John Baker of Brookhaven and opening night victor John Beatty Jr. of Merrick hope to change that stat Saturday.
Like their big brothers the Eagle Auto Mall Crate Modified championship standing find the top two drivers separated by 10 markers heading into Saturday. Sean Glennon of Northport leads Owen Grennan of Glen Cove by ten with defending champion Richie Davidowitz of East Moriches third 13 back of Glennon. With just two Late Model events run to date former two-time champion Kevin Metzger of Massapequa leads their point ranking by two over defending champion Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead with rising young talent Brandon Turbush of Manorville just four back in third.
After a month off the Super Pro Trucks return to action Saturday for a 20-lap tilt with defending champion Jack Handley Jr. of Medford six points up on Jimmy Rennick Jr. of Howard Beach heading into their fifth race of the season. Hot on Rennick’s heel in the title fight are Max Handley of Medford and Lou Maestri of Deer Park who sit just one point out of second entering qualifying Saturday. That quarter also make up the four winner in ’21. Popular Tom Puccia of Shirley sits atop the Mini Stock points heading into Saturday by 9 markers over Chris Elixson of Riverhead and 15 over third place Paul Wojcik of Patchogue. Saturday’s Mini Stock race will be their second of the three-race Miller Lite Triple Crown Series with time trial qualifying and a 30-lap feature.
The Truck Enduro competitors will run their second race of 2021 and the first of two in as many weeks as they will run July 17th as well. Defending champion Justin McGrady of Stony Brook topped the May Meltdown Truck Enduro event back on May 2nd for his first career victory. Joey Palmeri Jr. of Lindenhurst will be looking to go back to back in 4/6-Cylinder Demolition Derby action and among those he must beat include his Dad Joey Sr. and brother John. The 8-Cylinder Demolition Derby originally scheduled for July 10th has been canceled.
With a very busy show on tap qualifying has been moved up to 5:00 pm Saturday evening with the spectator gates opening at 4:00 pm. Adult admission is $30, kids 6-12 $10 with 5 & under free. Tickets are sold on race day only at the track. All events are live-streamed at Riverheadraceway.Tv with the stream starting at 4;45 pm July 10th.
The complete 2021 Riverhead Raceway schedule, championship standings and news can be viewed at www.riverheadraceway.com, e-mails reach us at riverheadraceway1.@gmail.com while our phone number remains 631-842-RACE.
Sources: Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR