RIVERHEAD ANNOUNCES EARLY PIT OPENING FOR SATURDAY, MAY 3RD TIRES TO BE CHECKED IN '08
Riverhead, N.Y. Apr. 28th.
By, Bob Finan

During another very successful pre-season practice session this past Saturday afternoon at Riverhead Raceway track officials announced three major items for this Saturday evening's May 3rd NASCAR Whelen All-American Series opener at the historic quarter mile oval.

First for this Saturday's lid-lifter co-chief stewards Mike Cappiello and Jim Maggio announced that the pits gate would open two hours earlier so track officials can assign pit parking for 2008. The usual pit gate opening time for the remainder of the year will be 12:00 noon. As for Sunday afternoon's Legend Race Car and Enduro Series opener is concerned the usual 10:00 am pit gate opening will be in effect.

Also Cappiello and Maggio disclosed that they would announce to all six divisions of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series classes a tire durometer reading that everyone will adhere to. The altering of tires by treating them will not be permitted as per NASCAR policy and every division will be given a number that their tires should come in at and any tolerance level that applies. The announcement will come during the annual opening day pit personnel meeting.

A zero tolerance policy will also be in place in 2008, again as per NASCAR policy on any type of traction control device.

Chief NASCAR inspector Walter Bonczyk announced Saturday morning that for the Chargers and Super Pro Trucks only the Johnson Chassis Inc. metric chassis and front clips are now approved for use at Riverhead Raceway.

Also all pit personnel are reminded that as announced at the Winter Meetings, no shorts or open toed shoes would be allowed at Riverhead Raceway, as per NASCAR policy.

This Saturday evening May 3rd heat races will start at 4:30 pm, while the feature events will go green at 5:30 pm. Practice will commence at 2:00 pm, which will also be the format during 2008 unless otherwise announced.

The "mighty" NASCAR Modifieds will headline Saturday night's opener and be joined by the Late Models, Figure Eights, Chargers, Blunderbusts and Super Pro Trucks.

Sunday May 4th will find the INEX Legend Race Cars joining the Enduro stars of Riverhead Raceway with Grand, 8-Cylinder, 6-Cylinder, 4-Cylinder and 4/6-Cylinder Trucks Enduro all set to see action. The first round of One-On-One Spectator Drags and a Car Rollover Contest are also on the card.

For further information please call the Riverhead Raceway office at 631-842-RACE or visit www.riverheadraceway.com.