Fireworks To Highlight 76th Year Celebration Riverhead Raceway On Friday July 3; Flying Dutchman Tribute 76 On Tap For Modifieds

(Press Release from Riverhead Raceway)

Riverhead Raceway will get the holiday weekend party stared in spectacular fashion Friday night July 3rd as the historic track hosts a 76th Year Celebration, complete with a Fireworks extravaganza that will commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modifieds will headline on track action with the annual Flying Dutchman Tribute 76 celebrating the life and racing career of Fred Harbach. 

Friday’s program will mark the first regularly scheduled Friday night presentation since 1984 at Riverhead Raceway kicking off a Friday series that stretches through August. While releasing the 2026 new look schedule in late December 2025, GM John Ellwood pointed out, “Friday’s will carry a hard-core racing vibe, allowing us to blend in more family-oriented shows on Saturday nights”. Friday dates also allow the track flexibility to take the night of July 4th off, and present two standalone Saturday Monster Truck Saturdays in July and August. Saturday July 11th the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Summer Crush Monster Truck event will be presented with matinee and evening shows. On August 15th My Guy Auto Supply NAPA will present the Monster Truck Summer Smash again offering a matinee or evening option. 

Looking forward to this Friday July 3rd, Special FX Wizard will light up the night sky for the 76th Year Celebration of Riverhead Raceway and the milestone 250th birthday of the United States with a choreographed, synchronized breathtaking performance as they have presented worldwide for over 30-years. 

Chase Grennan of Glen Cove just hours after graduation Glen Cove High School last June went out and won the Flying Dutchman Tribute 76, a victory that began his march to the 2025 Crown Jewel Series championship earning him Ted Christopher Cup. Entering Friday’s 76-lapper, Chase’s older brother Owen sits atop the 2026 Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modified championship ranking with a trio of drivers tied for second 6-points back of Owen. Mark Stewart of Riverhead, Chris Young of Calverton and Chris Rogers of Patchogue are tied behind Owen Grennan. 

Alex “AJ Kitz” Kitzen and his wife Joanne Harbach-Kitzen announced last week they would supply trophies for the podium drivers at the conclusion of the Flying Dutchman Tribute 76, as they have since the inaugural race. Additionally, the couple disclosed they’d be bringing a replica of the 1937 X-89 Ford Coupe Fred Harbach found success with up and down the eastern seaboard from 1962 through 1967. The couple will transport the X-89 from their Goshen, New York home in an enclosed trailer that doubles as a museum to the beloved Fred Harbach. Fans are encouraged to visit the trailer and tell some Fred stories post-race Friday.

Complementing the 76th Year Celebration Fireworks extravaganza and Flying Dutchman Tribute are the Super Pro Trucks who’ll go to post in a 20-lap main event, the Eddie Partridge Vintage All Stars in a 15-lap feature and a Truck Enduro with 40-laps planned. The popular Kids Big Wheel Race will be contested right after opening ceremonies. 

Pit windows will open at 5:00 PM Friday with pit gates swinging open at 5:30 PM, opening ceremonies are approximately 8:15 PM proceeded by practice and qualifying. General admission gates open at 6:30 PM, adults are $40, kids 6-12 $20, 5 and under are free. 

A complete race day itinerary can be found at http://www.riverheadraceway.com, emails reach the track at [email protected] while the phone number remains 631-842-RACE 

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