Riverhead Raceway is a oval race track with a Figure 8 course, located in Riverhead, New York. It is the only auto racing venue on Long Island since Westhampton Raceway closed down in 2003. It started being built in 1949 and opened as a dirt track in 1951, before permanently changing to asphalt in 1955. The raceway was also well known for featuring a towering statue of a Native American, dubbed "Chief Running Fair", at its entrance until it was destroyed in 2012 due to Hurricane Sandy but rebuilt by Christmas and still standing at its original location.
Events Riverhead Raceway has seven racing divisions: Modified, Riverhead Modified Crate Figure Eight, Late Model, Blunderbust, Super Pro Truck, and Legends. It hosts races for the Whelen Modified Tour, Whelen All-American Series, and the Northeastern Midget Association. Other events include demolition derby, school bus racing, monster trucks, enduro, one-on-one spectator drags and go-karts up until the fall of 2016.
The track's signature race is the non-champion Islip 300, named for the now-defunct speedway on Long Island, which began in 2016. The open competition event allows cars run to any of four different series ("Tour Type" modifieds) specifications.
Drivers Notable drivers who used to race at Riverhead Raceway include Steve Park and his uncle Bill Park, Greg Sacks, Charlie Jarzombek,Charlie Jarzombek . New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame. Retrieved on 2008-04-15. Brett Bodine, Tom Baldwin, Donny Lia, and 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece.
Riverhead Raceway modified champions YearDriver2025 John Beatty Jr.2024 John Beatty Jr.2023 John Beatty Jr.2022 Kyle Soper2021 Kyle Soper2020 Tom Rogers Jr.2019 Kyle Soper2018 Kyle Soper2017 Tom Rogers Jr.2016 Shawn Solomito2015 Tom Rogers Jr.2014Howie Brode2013Howie Brode2012Shawn Solomito2011Justin Bonsignore2010Tom Rogers Jr.2009John Fortin2008Bill Park2007Bill Park2006Chuck Steuer2005Bill Park2004Tom Rogers Jr.2003John Fortin2002J. R. Bertuccio2001John Fortin2000Frank Vigliarolo Jr.1999Frank Vigliarolo Jr.1998Howie Brode1997Bill Park1996Chuck Steuer1995Don Howe1994Don Howe1993Don Howe1992Fred Harbach1991Wayne Anderson1990Wayne Anderson1989Dan Jivanelli1988Wayne Anderson1987Wayne Anderson1986John Blewett Jr.1985Fred Harbach1984Don Howe1983George Brunnhoelzl Jr.1982Wayne Anderson1981(no modifieds)1980(no modifieds)1979(no modifieds)1978Charlie Jarzombek1977Charlie Jarzombek1976Charlie Jarzombek1975Joe Krukowski1974Charlie Jarzombek1973Don Howe1972Joe Krukowski1971Jim Malone Sr.1970Jim Malone Sr.1969Joe Krukowski1968George Brunnhoelzl Sr.1967Charlie Jarzombek1966John Berkoski1965Tommy Washburn1964John Berkoski1963Gary Winters1962Gary Winters1961Joe Collins1960Norm Gimmler1959Buzzy Hedges1958Johnny Rocco1957Ronnie Harra1956Axel Anderson1955Tommy Washburn1954Tommy Washburn1953Ronnie Matson1952Bud Anderson
Cultural references Riverhead Raceway was featured as a filming location in the HBO series The Sopranos under the name "Chikamauga Raceway". It appears in Season 5, Episode 7 - "In Camelot".
See also List of auto racing tracks in the United States Short track motor racing
References
External links Official site Riverhead Raceway race results at Racing-Reference