The second practice day leading up to the 2021 NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series at Riverhead Raceway is in the books and much like the first session a week earlier a sun splashed spring afternoon greeted competitors and fans alike with another jam packed pit area of race cars providing the action. When all the testing and tuning was completed veteran Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modified veteran Dave Brigati of Calverton was quickest on the day in his Coors Light LFR turning in a blistering lap of 11.530. Attention now turns to opening weekend this Saturday evening May 1st and Sunday afternoon May 2nd.
By Bob Finan
Brigati posted his quick time of the day in the fourth of five sessions for the Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modifieds and had earlier been quickest in the second round with a lap of 11.631. Former two time champion Kyle Soper of Manorville was quickest in round one posting a time of 11.745 in his Eastport Feeds Chevy while John Baker of Brookhaven was quick in round three with a lap of 11.599 in his Staria Automotive entry. Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead topped the fifth and final round with a lap of 11.549. The quartet of drivers along with defending Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modified champion Tom Rogers Jr. are just a handful of drivers who can visit victory lane on opening night this Saturday May 1st.
Defending Late Model champion Jeremy McDermott was tops in Late Model practice posting a 12.614 in the first session of the day in his RP Fabricating Pontiac. Third year Eagle Auto Mall Crate Modified talent Michael Berner of Patchogue was fastest on the day turning in a lap of 12.614 in the fifth and final session in his M3 Technology Chevy. Veteran Figure Eight driver Tom Ferrara of Patchogue was quickest on the day in his Sayville South Bay Auto Repair Cadillac at 17.169 while Cody Triola of Bay Shore topped Blunderbust practice at 14.415 in his Cesspool Pro racer.
As he was during the first practice day Jimmy Rennick Jr. of Howard Beach was the fastest Super Pro Truck on the day turning in a lap of 13.366 in his Sonny’s Collision Specialists Chevy while defending INEX Legend Race Car champion Kevin Nowak led the pack with a lap of 13.600 in his JTEC Electric machine, a brand new car no less. Street Stock veteran Rhett Fogg of Westhampton toured the quarter mile in the first session for his class at 14.307 in his Accu-Rhett Monte Carlo while Justin Squires of Flanders was tops in the Mini Stocks with a lap of 14.825 in his Cedar Designs Honda. The new Bandolero class was topped by Darren Krantz Jr. of Huntington with a lap of 15.290 in his Angela’s House mount.
Seven divisions of NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series racing is set for opening night this Saturday May 1st as Eddie & Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz swing open the gets for the 71st year of racing at Riverhead Raceway. The Buzz Chew Chevrolet NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models, Eagle Auto Mall Crate Modifieds, Figure Eights, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and INEX Legend Race Cars will all see action. Pits will open at 1:00 pm with warm-ups slated to start at 2:30 pm. Spectator gates will open at 4:00 pm with qualifying set for 5:00 pm.
The Opening Weekend 2021 doubleheader will be completed on Sunday afternoon May 2nd as the annual May Meltdown is presented. The Street Stocks and Mini Stocks will share the Sunday spotlight and be joined by Enduro races for the Trucks, 8-Cylinder Gut & Go and 4/6-Cylinder Gut & Go. Pit gates will open Sunday morning at 10:00 am with practice set for 11:00 am. Spectator gates will open at 12 noon with qualifying to commence at 12:30 pm.
Adult admission Saturday night is $30, kids 6-12 are $10, 5 and under are free. Sunday admission is $25 for adults, kids 6-12 are $10, 5 and under are free. For those who can’t make it to the track or live out of state the popular live stream at Riverheadraceway.Tv will be available for all events in 2021 at Riverhead Raceway. To find the link please visit us at http://www.riverheadraceway.com. E-mails reach us at riverheadraceway1@gmail.com and our phone number remains 631-842-RACE.