RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Riverhead Raceway owners Eddie and Connie Partridge and Tom Gatz have announced a four-race series for the NASCAR Modifieds that will encompass the extra distance races scheduled for the upcoming season, now known as the Crown Jewel Modified events.
In addition to the weekly NASCAR track championship points, the series will carry a separate set of points awarding the top driver the Ted Christopher Cup. Christopher, one of the most successful drivers to ever strap into an open-wheel modified, died in an airplane crash while flying to Riverhead Raceway for a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race on Sept. 16, 2017 at 59.
The four race Crown Jewel modified series is the concept of Riverhead Raceway Race Director Scott Tapley, who along with track General Manager John Ellwood, put the final touches on the series.
The chase for the Ted Christopher Cup will start with the biggest race of the season at Riverhead on May 30, the Islip 300, a race that pays the winner $7,000. The second race will unfold on July 4 during the 70th Year Celebration with the NASCAR Modifieds set to do battle in a 70-lap tilt.
Race three takes place during the annual Baldwin, Evans & Jarzombek 77 July 25, with the four-race series set to conclude Aug. 29 during the NASCAR 100.
During the victory lane celebration at the conclusion of the NASCAR 100, the Ted Christopher Cup will be presented to the champion of the series.
Track management additionally disclosed the Ted Christopher Cup will be a perpetual award, much like the Big Brothers & Big Sisters Drivers Cup that is presented annually to the track’s NASCAR Modified champion.
Ellwood noted the rules package for the series that Chief Technical Director Randy Murray will be implementing are the same that have been used during the annual Islip 300. That allows teams who run Modified Racing Series, Race of Champions or Tri-Track Modified Series to run their series rules while competing in the Crown Jewel modified events at Riverhead and chasing the Ted Christopher Cup at Riverhead Raceway.
All teams will be required to run Hoosier Racing Tires. The starting field for all four races will be set via time trials, with no invert or redraw in play.