(Press Release from Riverhead Raceway)
Heading into the third and final WMT event of the 2022 season at Riverhead Raceway it was announced live pit stops on the infield of the quarter mile oval would be introduced.
Right from that disclosure skeptics arose with questions of logistics, and safety. However, by the time Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville completed the winner’s interview, proponents and skeptics alike deemed the live stops a success and hoped for more in 2023. Today Jimmy Wilson of NASCAR in conjunction with Riverhead Raceway management announced live pit stops for the 2023 edition of the Eddie Partridge 256 will return.
The concept of live pit stops came about when track GM John Ellwood floated the idea at first to Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz. After gaining their approval, Ellwood then convinced NASCAR and Jimmy Wilson. A mid-summer test of the new infield hot pit, complete with walls, and stop and go lights was conducted by the Ken Massa Motorsports team under the watchful eyes of Jimmy Wilson and John Ellwood. Justin Bonsignore fully endorsed the infield pitting stating. “it’s going to increase the fan experience immensely”.
“Eddie Partridge loved the bigger Modified races and all that went with them. That is why he came up with the Islip 300 concept” Ellwood recalled, ” Eddie and I discussed the possibility of infield pitting here from time to time, once he passed, I knew we had to at least propose it and test it”.
With the fans in the stands looking on, joined by those watching on Flo Racing, the inaugural Eddie Partridge 256, complete with live infield pit stops was deemed a success with Bonsignore leading Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park and Ron Silk of Norwalk, Ct. to the podium.
Fast forward to the 2nd annual Eddie Partridge 256 and the 2023 championship chase is as intense as it can get heading into Labor Day weekend at Oswego Speedway. Silk carries one point lead over Bonsignore heading into the holiday weekend with upstart talent Austin Beers of Northampton third, 37 back of Silk. After Bonsignore won the Buzz Chew Chevrolet 200 in May, Silk came roaring back in June for his first Riverhead WMT victory in the Miller Lite 200.
Complimenting the Eddie Partridge 256 program are the Late Models, Blunderbusts, Street Stocks and Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars. Further details will be released at http://www.riverheadraceway.com, e-mails reach the track at [email protected], the phone number remains 631-842-RACE
Live pit stops?????
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
I can hear him crying already.
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
It was a bit controversial last year but not now. And they need anything they can to attract fans for modified racing at this stage.
Last week once again they had a great crowd that featured the bus demo. When the modifieds headline they don’t come close to attracting the same number of people.
What will Riverhead do at schedule time? They’ve been a bulwark of support for NASCAR hosting three events a couple years in a row. They are now the regional epicenter of the NASCAR brand of tour modified racing. But the tour mods aren’t anywhere near as successful putting people in the stands as figure eights, enduro’s, demo’s and fireworks.
What will Riverhead do?
This is awesome!!!!
I was at Islip for the mod races with live pit stops. The big races with a full infield. It was crazy, but exciting!!!!
Riverhead did a great job with this last time, I’m sure it will be better this time.
River gauges in West Boylston have been overflowing since this was announced, some sort of hydrological anomaly or hyper tear gland response.
Doug as far as the crowds for MOD races compared to Family thrill nights, Mods will never win!!!!!!!!
I remember going to Thompson back in late 90’s early 2000’s with family for a Thrill night, as someone who had attended dozens of WMT or PRE WMT races at Thompson i was amazed when i pulled in the parking lot at the double amount of cars i saw compared to any MOD race, i have seen pics from SEEKONK the same as every seat filled, even when Stafford had Monster Trucks the shows would be packed more than any Mod race, i dpnt see Riverhead keeping 3 Tour races in 2024, but 2 for sure a good bet.
Yea, bus demos and monster trucks have been king at riverhead for over a decade. Probably since before they had 1 tour race a year. Them preforming better shouldn’t really be a factor in 2 or 3 tour races. Historically, those type of events there don’t preform well outside July and august. Conveniently, when the tour races are.
it does sound like there will be 2 tour races there next year. May just hasn’t worked out for them. 2 events too close and May is a big dice roll weather wise. dont have to only worry about rain, but cold still too. But I heard the same last year too. maybe the tour gives them a sweetheart deal to perk the car average up?
This is the kind of stuff I wish Stafford would try with their open shows, though. Something to differentiate between them.