Riverhead to Mark 30th Year Under Owners Barbara & Jim Cromarty

Although they’ve been NASCAR stock car racing promoters for some five decades now Barbara & Jim Cromarty will take some added pride when they kick-off the 2014 race season at Riverhead Raceway the first weekend of May as it will mark the 30th year since they purchased the Route 58 facility from the Hawkins family. A huge opening weekend is set with seven divisions of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series set to compete on Saturday evening May 3rd with Sunday May 4th finding the cars and stars of the track’s Enduro series enjoying their opening day.

While numerous race tracks around the country have either closed or changed hands time and time again Barbara & Jim Cromarty have kept solid footing during the at times trying short track racing promotional business. Long time track announcer and publicist Bob Finan points to one thing that has remained a constant with the Cromarty’s during their tenure, “no matter how challenging things can get whether it’s the economy, weather issues or whatever this racing life can throw their way I never in my life have seen two more positive people” Finan surmised, “and ever since they promoted Islip Speedway in the late 70’s they have done it their way and it’s worked I’d say!”

Long time NASCAR loyalists the Whelen All-American Series will be headlined by the “Mighty” NASCAR Modifieds who will begin a 19-week WAAS season with Twin 30 feature events on opening night May 3rd. During those 19 weeks of regular season action the class will run in seven Twin feature events, five of which are Twin 30’s while two will be Twin 50 features including the Evans NASCAR HoF event on June 7th. Other signature races included the Cromarty Cup 50 on July 5th as well the Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 July 26th. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make two visits to Riverhead Raceway on Saturday June 28th and again September 13th.

Going into the 2014 campaign the Late Models seemed headed for a rebound season as do the Figure Eights, both will lead the roster of support classes into action on May 3rd and be joined by the Chargers, Blunderbusts, Super Pro Trucks and Legend Race Cars on a weekly rotating basis. For opening night the NASCAR Modifieds as wel asl the Legend Race Cars will qualify via time trials starting at 5:00 pm with feature racing to follow.

While looking at the roster of 2013 champions from the Saturday night ranks track officials feel as though all will return to defend their titles. Howie Brode of East Islip will try to make it two championships in a row in the NASCAR Modifieds as will Jeremy McDermott of Riverhead in the Late Models and Ken Hyde Jr. of Medford in the Figure Eights. Eric Zeh of Selden is having his Charger car being redone to defend that crown while Frank Dumicich Jr. of East Quogue is set to do battle in the Super Pro Trucks as is Brendon Bock of Franklin Square in the Legend Race Cars. The only question mark might be 2013 Blunderbust champion Scott Maliszewski of Deer Park who after winning his championship noted he might turn the driving over to his nephews. History will be made in 2014 when the first Bandolero champion is crowned with that new division racing to compete with the track’s Sunday Go-Kart series.

As for the Sunday Enduro series, enthusiasm is running high especially in the 8-Cylinder and 4/6-Cylinder Car ranks as during the off season it was announced that permanent car numbers would be issued for both classes. All the 2013 Enduro champions are expected back for a full slate of racing in 2014 including Grand Enduro champion James Charrier of Shirley and Truck kingpin Greg Harris of Riverhead. Ed Brown Jr. of Shirley will be out to defend his 8-Cylinder title as will 4/6 Car Enduro champ Joe Warren Jr. of Rocky Point. 2014 Demolition Derby champion Jason Savoy of Lake Panamoka is also expected back in 2014.

Aside from all the exciting NASCAR and Enduro racing Barbara & Jim Cromarty continue to lead the industry in presenting family entertainment events with 2014 certainly being no exception. There will be four 8-Cylinder Demolition Derby events on the slate including the annual National Championship contest, which has a new date for this year, Saturday September 6th! The 4-Cylinder Demolition Derby combatants will go to battle twice as will the Full Size School Buses with their always-thrilling events set for July 19th and August 23rd. A large inventory of buses are already on the property courtesy of Gershow Recycling.

Two Fireworks shows are in the offering for 2014 at Riverhead Raceway, the first set for Saturday July 5th for Independence Day which will be joined by an 8-Cylinder Demolition Derby. The second Bay Fireworks spectacular is set for I Love America Night August 23rd which also features a School Bus Demolition Derby. Popular fire-breathing and car eating Transaurus will thrill young and old alike on Saturday evening August 2nd and as always the Cromarty’s in conjunction with Guest Services Charlie Cohan will have free Amusement Rides for the kids to keep busy with weekly.

Source: Bob Finan/Riverhead Raceway PR