News Director 
Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – MIDDLETOWN, NY – The richest single day in the history of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco takes place this Thursday, October 18.
STSS Modifieds hit the track at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y., Thursday night for the Behrent’s Performance Warehouse ‘Hard Clay Finale’ looking to capture the lion’s share of a purse totaling $49,225.
Yes, $49,225 for a single-day, 50-lap event!
The ’18 edition of the ‘Hard Clay Finale’ honors OCFS legend Rich Eurich, who has supported the Legendary House of Power since the late-1960s. In recognition of his trademark number ‘10’ the payout was increased to $10,000 to win and $1,000 – a cool grand – to take the green flag.
“I grew up in the grandstand at Orange County, so Rich Eurich has always been one of the drivers I enjoyed watching,” STSS organizer Brett Deyo said. “His dedication to racing – and Orange County Fair Speedway – is second-to-none. A big thank you to Chris Larsen and Michael Gurda for allowing us to put Rich in the spotlight, even though he isn’t one to be the center of attention.”
The $10,000 winner’s share is just the beginning of a non-top-heavy payout through the field. The full breakdown is as follows: 1 – $10,000; 2 – $5,000; 3 – $4,000; 4 – $2,500; 5 – $1,800; 6 – $1,500; 7 – $1,400; 8 – $1,300; 9 – $1,200; 10 – $1,150; 11 – $1,125; 12 – $1,100; 13 – $1,075; 14 – $1,050; 15 – $1,025; 16-28 – $1,000; Provisionals – $500.
A number of bonuses and special awards will be distributed, as well.
Rock Fantasy Hard Rock, Metal, Classic Rock Concert and Smoke Shop based in Middletown, N.Y., has signed on to sponsor the STSS Modified heat races. Each of the heat winners will take home $50 cash from Rock Fantasy’s Stephen Keeler.
The Halfway Leader – at lap 25 – will take home $200 courtesy of Superior Remodeling in Slate Hill, N.Y. Superior Remodeling is owned and operated by Brian Smith.
Land Hoe Maintenance in Danbury, Conn., will reward the Hard Charger with $200 cash: the driver advancing the most positions from their scheduled starting position to the finish of the 50-lap main.
Product certificates will be distributed from the following companies: American Racer, ATL Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Headers, Fast Axle, Henry’s Exhaust, QA1, Racing Optics, Sunoco Race Fuels, WELD Wheels and Wilwood.
This 50-lap event will also decide the ’18 STSS Halmar International North Region champion with increased points, on the 150-point scale, on the line. Billy Decker of Sidney, N.Y., currently holds a slim 30-point lead (654-624) over Anthony Perrego. Canadian Mat Williamson sits third, having accrued 613 points, and is only 44 markers behind the leader.
With 150 points to the winner and 60 for last, there is a potential 90-point swing at this event, meaning Matt Sheppard (609) and Mike Gular (598) also have mathematical chances to win the title.
360 Sprint Cars, for the first time, join the STSS Modifieds for this program competing in a 25-lap event offering $3,000 to the winner and $300 to take the green flag.
Decker, Perrego, Williamson, Sheppard & Gular Enter OCFS With Short Track Super Series North Title Hopes Thursday
It’s ‘title time’ for the Halmar International North Region of Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco.
This Thursday night (October 18) at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y., the Behrent’s Performance Warehouse ‘Hard Clay Finale’ will decide the 2018 STSS Halmar International North Region $12,500 champion.
Five drivers enter the Legendary House of Power with a shot at the crown assuming Decker takes the green in the 50-lap feature.
Sidney, N.Y.’s Billy Decker, while winless on the STSS, has been an absolute model of consistency driving for Jeremy Smith Racing. Decker has accrued 654 points entering Thursday’s event.
Lurking just behind Decker – 30 points to be exact – with 624 to his credit is Middletown, N.Y.’s own Anthony Perrego aboard the Brian Smith-fielded Superior Remodeling No. 44. Perrego is the reigning champion at OCFS and looks to be strong on his home turf.
St. Catharines, Ont., driver Mat Williamson is a first-year series traveler driving for the proven Behrent’s Performance Warehouse team. Williamson, on the heels of a runner-up finish in the American Racer Cup Short Track SuperNationals 11 at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, N.Y., has accumulated 613 points.
Waterloo, N.Y., driver Matt Sheppard has been unable to reach Victory Lane on the STSS Halmar International North Region this season, but is within reach of the ultimate goal: the championship. Sheppard, who has driven for the Hurlock Auto & Speed and Sweeteners Plus teams during the ’18 campaign, has 609 points.
Mike Gular of Boyertown, Pa., could be considered a ‘southern’ driver, but has performed admirably on the STSS North Region driving for Terry Fasnacht. Gular has 598 points to his credit.
As the Championship Event on the schedule, the ‘Hard Clay Finale’ operates on a 150-point schedule. With 60 points awarded for 24th on back, there is a potential 90-point swing during this event.
Decker leads Perrego by 30, Williamson by 41, Sheppard by 45 and Gular by 56.
None of the aforementioned drivers has won a championship previously, so any of the five would break new ground on the STSS.
The 150-point breakdown is as follows: 1 – 150; 2 – 145; 3 – 140; 4 – 135; 5 – 130; 6 – 125; 7 – 120; 8 – 116; 9 – 112; 10 – 108; 11 – 104; 12 – 100; 13 – 96; 14 – 92; 15 – 88; 16 – 84; 17 – 80; 18 – 77; 19 – 74; 20 – 71; 21 – 68; 22 – 65; 23 – 62; 24-Last – 60. Did Not Qualify receives 35 points.
The top-12 drivers in series points receive cash at the Awards Banquet, with $12,500 going to the champion back to $1,000 for 12th. Drivers outside the top-12 with perfect attendance take home $250.
STSS Modifieds compete in their richest-ever single-day event paying $10,000 to win and $1,000 to take the green flag Thursday night honoring OCFS legend Rich Eurich.
Joining the Modifieds on the program are 360 Sprint Cars racing for $3,000 to win and $300 to start in their 25-lap main.
Pit gates officially open at 3 p.m. on Thursday. Drive-in gates are unlocked at 4 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. The drivers’ meeting takes place at 5:40 p.m. (including the STSS heat-race draw). Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. Qualifying gets underway at 7 p.m.
Adult admission is $28. Children 10 and under pay $10. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.
