Story By: JOHN SNYDER / ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY – MIDDLETOWN, NY – On Thursday, August 19, the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series will be racing at Orange County Fair Speedway for the first time since 2004.
The fastest wingless race cars will tear around Orange County’s five-eights-mile clay track with the sole goal of winning the 40-lap feature race and its $10,000 first place prize money.
Fans can expect to see all the top-running WoO Late Model drivers, led by Brandon Sheppard (New Berlin, Illinois) who tops the current series point standings as well as his closest pursuers Chris Madden (Gray Court, South Carolina), series rookie Tyler Bruning (Decorah, Iowa), and Dennis Erb, Jr. (Carpentersville, Illinois). Rick Eckert (York, Pennsylvania), who won the only previous WoO late Model Series race at Orange County, is looking forward to returning to the Middletown oval. And to the delight of Orange County’s Modified fans, Stewart Friesen (Sprakers, New York) has his Halmer International-backed Late Model primed to challenge the series regulars.
The Late Models will follow a familiar format of time trials, heat races, a last chance race, and after a redraw of starting slots among top qualifiers, a 40-lap all-green flag feature.
Also racing will be the super competitive Pro Stocks, making their return to Middletown after a long absence. Presented by Vernon Outdoors, the Pro Stocks will use qualifying races to set their feature event. Rob Yetman (Castleton, New York), a veteran Pro Stock campaigner with 149 victories to his credit, won the last Pro Stock race at Orange County, and he’s looking forward to the challenge of adding another trophy to his collection.
The Orange County Fair Speedway stands and unique Drive-In are fully open. On Thursday, August 19, General Admission either for the stands or the Drive-In is $35. Reserved seats in the covered grandstand are $45. As a convenience for fans, guaranteed parking spaces in Rows D, E, and F of the Drive-In may be reserved for $25. Unsold spaces in these rows will be available at the gate on race day. The Party Deck is available at $200 per table, includes four admissions. In the Drive-In, announcements and race calls are heard over FM 107.7. Fans may purchase tickets by calling the Speedway Office at 845-342-2573. The stands and Drive-In will open at 4:00 pm. Hot Laps at 6:00 pm, racing at 7:00 pm. The 31st Lap Tavern is open for adult beverages.