RPW Column: Super DIRTcar & Short Track Super Series Plus 62nd Eastern States Weekend Highlight ’23 OCFS Schedule

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – The Orange County Fair Speedway is back for another season of racing in 2023. This year marks the 104 year since the first racing occurred at the historic 5/8ths oval in 1919.

The schedule has recently been released and some of the favorite events that have been held throughout the years are on the schedule.

The always popular OCFS Motorsports Show occurs on the weekend of March 25th-26th. Cars from the 3 local tracks of OCFS, Accord Speedway and Bethel Motor Speedway will be on display along with other race vehicles. It’s always a great way to reconnect with friends that you haven’t seen in a few months.

On Friday, April 7th, the speedway will be open for the ‘Shake It Down’ practice session. The following day, the Short Track Super Series makes it’s first of two appearances of the season. The STSS races at OCFS have historically drawn a large field of entrants and it’s expected to be the same for the 2023 events. Their 2nd OCFS event occurs on Friday, October 20th during the Eastern States Weekend.

The Super DIRTcar Series pays an early season visit to OCFS on Sunday, May 7th. It’s always interesting to see drivers that don’t normally race OCFS but follow the series to come to OCFS to tackle the hard clay.

The Empire Super Sprints return to OCFS for their 2nd OCFS appearance on Saturday, June 3rd.

One of the fan’s favorite events is the OCFS Nostalgia Night. It’s a great night to see and talk with some of the legendary names through the years at OCFS. This year, the event will also focus on the drivers and tracks that formed the Tri Track Series during the 1980’s, Flemington Speedway, Nazareth Raceway and OCFS. It’s a rich history and a surprising number of drivers scored a Modified win at all three tracks.

Nostalgia Night is scheduled for Saturday, June 10th.

The Atlantic Coast Old Timers vintage racing club (ACOT) makes their annual appearance on July 1st. It’s always great to see the club come up to OCFS, display their vintage cars and put on an exhibition race.

The United Racing Club (URC) will appear at OCFS on Saturday, July 15th.

On Saturday, August 19th, the 104th anniversary race will be occurring.

The 2023 season champions will be crowned on ‘Champions Night’ on Saturday, September 9th.

In preparation for the Eastern States Weekend, a practice for all divisions is scheduled on Saturday, October 14th.

And the Eastern States Weekend wraps up the 2023 season with the 3 day event happening on October 20, 21 & 22. This will be the 62nd running of the Eastern States race.  Since 1968, it has been a 200 lap event.

The facility has many other types of events on the schedule for 2023.

Motorcycle racing returns to the oval for 2 nights this year. On Friday, July 7th, an amateur motorcycle event will be on the track. And the following day, Saturday, July 8th, American Flat Track will bring their exciting brand of racing to the OCFS oval.

The popular OCFS Motocross track will be active with several Sunday events that will be occurring on April 16th, May 14th, June 18th, August 20th, September 17 and October 8th. There will be practice time available on Saturdays, before the Sunday events. Motocross participants should monitor the track’s social media page for the Wednesday practice announcements.

The Diesels of New York have become extremely popular events at the fairgrounds. Their opening event will be on Saturday, March 25th. Other Diesel events will be on June 24th and August 26th.

The Speedway will once again be hosting once a month Friday night Car Shows/Burnout Qualifiers. If you’ve never been to a burnout event, it’s quite the spectacle, especially when it’s nighttime. The car show schedule is for events on April 14th, May 5th, June 2nd, July 14th, August 4th and September 8th.

The Burnout Nationals will be happening on Saturday, September 30th.

Clean Culture, a group that holds what is billed as the largest auto events nationwide, will have their show on Saturday, September 30th.

Fans of rodeos can check out one at OCFS on Sunday, July 2nd. Two days later, the Town of Wallkill Fireworks Show will be held at OCFS, Tuesday, July 4th.

Monster Trucks will be appearing during the Orange County Fair on Saturday, June 22nd.

And the always ultra popular Eve of Destruction returns on Saturday, September 16th. This event really packs the grandstand. If you want a reserved seat, it is highly recommended to secure your tickets as soon as they become available.

The schedule that has been posted is subject to change. Be sure to keep abreast of current OCFS news on their Facebook page.

Well, there you have it. There’s many different types of events at the facility in 2023. If these events are of interest to you, be sure to check them out. Support your local racetrack and any affiliated events any way that you can.