The smell of burning rubber and the roar of the engines will not be erupting from the quarter-mile track on the eastern end of Long Island. At least not in June. Who knows what will happen for the rest of the summer.

 

For the fans of live car racing in the area the news is a huge blow.

 

“In losing events slated for June Riverhead Raceway will have lost 11 on track events to date in 2020,” the racetrack announced on its website.

 

The July schedule tentatively lists monster truck racing, demolition derbies, and NASCAR nights, among other planned events.

 

As Suffolk County enters phase 1 in reopening, the track estimates it will be able to open in mid to late-July if all goes well, “offering a glimmer of hope for a 2020 race season on Long Island.” The track said it will be part of phase 4 reopening in New York State.

 

“We will continue to monitor regulations set forth by the state and we will be ready to race when those regulations change and allow us,” the official Riverhead Raceway statement read. “All of us at Riverhead Raceway are hoping that you and yours are staying safe and home during this worldwide pandemic."