Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – AFTON, NY – American Racer and Lias Tire Company have teamed up once again to spice up the “Working Man’s Race” at Afton Motorsports Park.
Match Races will be held for both the Modified and Sportsman divisions during the Columbus Day weekend event at the fairgrounds facility through the support of American Racer Tires, Lias Tire Company of Indiana, Pa., Sunoco Race Fuels and Insinger Performance of Dushore, Pa.
The 12th annual Short Track SuperNationals takes center stage at Afton Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12.
Champions of the American Racer Cup are invited to take part in the one-on-one Match Race events.
On Friday night, each of the individual Sportsman (Open or Crate) track champions are invited to participate in the Match Races. The winner will take home $1,500 cash and all participants will receive a certificate for a free American Racer tire.
Saturday features the Modified One-On-One Match Races will $2,000 being reserved for the victor and free tire certificates going to all other participants.
Eligible competitors will draw numbers prior to the start of the Match Races. The low number will start off and then pick an opponent. The winner of each round selects the next opponent until the final round.
Competitors will start at a Sunoco start zone at the midway point of the backstretch and complete a lap-and-a-half.
All year-end tire certificates will be available for pick-up at Afton and American Racer/Lias Tire will have representatives on hand.
A reminder that the Match Races are established by the American Racer Cup standings (10 best finishes), not the track’s full season.
The Short Track SuperNationals began at Afton back on Columbus Day weekend in 2006 when then rookie event promoter Brett Deyo teamed with Pat and Janet Jordan to produce a two-day program geared for weekend racers. Over time, the SuperNationals evolved into the traveling Short Track Super Series and the event has prospered over a decade-plus at three different facilities.
The ’19 edition will again feature two days of short-track action on the racy Afton oval.
Saturday’s (Oct. 12) program is headlined by the 50-lap ‘Working Man’s Race’ Short Track SuperNationals for the Modifieds paying $5,500 to win for 50 laps, with $1,000 reserved for 10th and a minimum of $400 to take the green flag.
This event is Race No. 7 of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Halmar International North Region.
Modifieds will also take part in the aforementioned Match Races.
The Short Track Super Series Crate 602 Sportsman are on the docket for Saturday in the sixth and final round of the North Region. The 25-lap feature will pay the winner $1,500 and a champion will be crowned.
Also on the Saturday card: Street Stocks (20 laps, $750 to win) and a special appearance by the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds in a pair of feature events.
Pit gates will open at 2 p.m. Grandstand gates unlock at 3 p.m. Hot laps are set for 5:30 p.m. Racing goes green at 6:30 p.m.
Adult Admission is $24. Seniors (ages 65 and up) pay $22. Kids (ages 9-14) pay $12. Children 8 and under are FREE.
Pit admission is $40 for ages 13 and up. Kids 6-12 pay $15. Children 5 and under pay $2.
Friday night’s (Oct. 11) event is topped by a Sportsman Challenge allowing both Open and Crate 602 Sportsman to take part. This 30-lap event pays $1,500 to win and an increased $2,000 to win if a driver posts the $20 “Gambler’s Fee” pre-race.
Sportsman Match Races are a Friday night highlight.
The Super Gen Products with Champion Power Equipment CRSA 305 Sprint Cars take part in the Friday program (25 laps) in addition to the Slingshots in a 20-lap, $350-to-win program.
Modifieds will have track time for practice in advance of Saturday’s event in addition to a Dash offering a redraw for Saturday’s 50-lap main.
Pit gates open at 3 p.m. Grandstand gates are unlocked at 4 p.m. Hot laps hit the track at 6 p.m. Racing begins at 7 p.m.
Adult Admission is $15. Seniors (ages 65 and up) pay $13. Kids (ages 9-14) pay $10. Children 8 and under are FREE.
Pit admission is $40 (ages 13 and up), $15 for Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 for Children 5 and under.
A two-day Pit Pass will be available for a discounted rate of $75.