PIT BOX: Whelen Modified Tour championship battle heating up as series returns to Riverhead
Adam Fenwick
(Photo: Mike Lawrence/NASCAR)
For the third time this year and the 73rd time in series history, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to New York's popular quarter-mile bullring known as Riverhead Raceway for the running of the Eddie Partridge 256 (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET on FloRacing).
While the Modified Tour is no stranger to Riverhead, Saturday's race marks just the second running of the Eddie Partridge 256, an event held in honor of the late Modified Tour car owner and Riverhead Raceway owner Eddie Partridge.
Unlike most Tour events held at Riverhead, the Eddie Partridge 256 will feature live pit stops thanks to a specially constructed, temporary pit wall in the infield. Justin Bonsignore, a 1o-time Tour winner at Riverhead, is the defending winner of the Eddie Partridge 256.
Tickets to Saturday's Eddie Partridge 256 are available trackside. Below is everything you need to know about the 15th race of the 2023 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.
Eddie Partridge 256 at Riverhead Raceway
What to watch for:
The battle for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship returns to Riverhead Raceway for the third time this season as both Justin Bonsignore and Ron Silk look to find an edge in the title battle.
Silk narrowly leads Bonsignore with four races remaining, and both drivers have reason to be excited to race at Riverhead. Bonsignore, coming off a victory at Monadnock Speedway last weekend, is the active wins leader at Riverhead. Silk, meanwhile, is the most recent Riverhead winner in June.
Both are expected to contend for victory, but they won't be the only contenders.
Austin Beers, who started from the pole and led 63 laps at Riverhead in June, has been fast all season and could be a threat to Silk and Bonsignore on Saturday night.
MORE RIVERHEAD: Watch live Saturday on FloRacing
Eric Goodale returns to action aboard his own No. 58 at the same track where in 2014 he earned his first Modified Tour victory. Timmy Solomito, a three-time Modified Tour winner at Riverhead, is also in the field as he looks to score his first series win since 2017.
Langley Speedway Modified Tour winner Kyle Bonsignore will look to register his second victory of the season and third of his career. Craig Lutz will look to shake off a difficult season with a victory of his own.
Local drivers John Beatty Jr., Mark Stewart, Matthew Brode and Roger Turbush will look to give the Long Island fans something to cheer about Saturday night.
The complete entry list for Saturday night's Eddie Partridge 256 is available here.
[caption id="attachment_406471" align="aligncenter" width="1300"] Cars in action during Eddie Partridge 256 at Riverhead Raceway on Sept. 17, 2022. (Photo: Mike Lawrence/NASCAR)[/caption]
RACE FACTS
Schedule: Saturday, Sept. 16 ... Final practice from 3:15-4:15 p.m. ET ... Qualifying at 6 p.m. ET ... Eddie Partridge 256 at 8 p.m. ET (FloRacing).
Qualifying: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start/finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time. Starting field for the Eddie Partridge 256 is limited to 28 starters including Provisional Positions.
Tire allotment: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is ten (10) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and the race must be purchased at the track and scanned by Hoosier, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice and/or change tires during the event. The tire change rule is two (2) tires, any position.