The 2014 Season Kicks Off with Riverhead’s First Practice Session

After a very long winter, Riverhead Raceway has finally thawed to allow for a beautiful first practice session this Saturday, April 19.

More than 60 cars filled the pit area at Riverhead to practice for the first time in 2014. Many were surprised with the large turnout of cars, including Riverhead’s announcer, Bob Finan, and co-chief steward Mike Cappiello.

The drivers and teams along with a decent turn out of fans were very anxious to finally get the season started. But unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Testing was delayed for quite a while as the track had to wait on an ambulance to arrive. The track sent out one or two cars here and there while officials waited, but it was close to 45 minutes into practice before more than five cars hit the track together.

The biggest turnout of any division was the INEX Legends. Close to 25 cars made laps, with a decent amount of those cars being piloted by drivers that didn’t run regularly last season. Kevin Chew turned his very first laps in a Legend in the car that Jeff Goodale ran last season. However, Chew’s day didn’t last all that long. He hit the wall hard and damaged the right front.

But Chew wasn’t the only driver to have issues. Fellow Legends driver Ed Cheslak damaged the right front of his car and went off on a tow truck. Bill Wegmann’s No. 79 Blunderbust broke the rear end at the start of the day. CJ Lehmann’s No. 19 Figure 8 car also broke a rear end putting a stop to his day early on.

More than ten NASCAR Modifieds came out for practice led by the defending champion, Howie Brode in his familiar black and silver No. 96. Many drivers came out in new equipment for this year, but Brode was not one of those. His car is the exact same car that won the championship and five races last season. Ken Darch is starting the season with a brand new Troyer chassis, and Ed Brunnhoelzl III’s 8x is a new car as well.

Next Saturday is the second and final practice day before the 2014 season gets underway at Riverhead Raceway. Admission for fans is once again free.

Opening night is Saturday May, 3rd, and all seven divisions are in action headlined by twin-30 lap features for the NASCAR Modifieds.

Photos available at: http://www.racerhub.com/photos/index.php?cat=2240

Source: Rob Blount/LongIslandJam.com