Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – With their racing schedule released a couple of weeks ago, some more details about the upcoming 104th anniversary season have been released by Orange County Fair Speedway officials.
This information includes purses, point funds, banquet, handicapping, admission prices and other items.
RACE PURSES:
The Big Block Modified purse will be $5,000 to win for the 35 lap races. 358 Small Block Modifieds will be worth $2,000 for the winner of their races. In the other divisions, the Sportsman winner will pocket $1,000, Street Stocks $400 and Rookies $200.
There will be different purse structures for the Super Dirt Series and the 104th Anniversary race. More information about the purses will be added to the speedway’s web page soon.
POINT FUND:
The Modifieds will have a minimum $7,500 to win the 7 race season series. The 358 Small Block Modified point series winner will take home a minimum of $3,000 for their 6 race series. The Sportsman point championship will be worth $1,500.
OCFS BANQUET:
The OCFS Awards Banquet will be held on Sunday afternoon, March 19th at the indoor arena at the fairgrounds. There will be a barbecue buffet by Dave’s Devil Dog BBQ. There will also be live music. Doors will open at 2PM with the buffet starting at 3PM and awards at 4PM. Banquet tickets are priced at $50.
CAR SHOW:
The weekend after the banquet, March 25-26, the popular OCFS car show will be held in the indoor arena. Cars and drivers from the local area tracks will be on display with other activities planned.
HANDICAPPING:
In a change from recent seasons, ALL divisions will be handicapped in 2023. 358, Sportsman, Street Stocks and Rookies will start on their 2nd week of racing. The Big Block handicapping will start the week following the Sunday Super Dirt Series race event. Points for the Sunday, May 7th SDS event will count towards the season championship for the Big Block Modifieds and Sportsman.
50/50:
The 50/50 payout will be a minimum of $500 each week.
TRACK RENTAL:
Track rentals WILL be available this year. Contact Doug Dulgarian in the office for details.
RULES:
Big Blocks will follow DIRT rules. 358/Sportsman/Street Stock will be OCFS rules and will be posted soon.
BRETT HEARN DRIVING SCHOOL:
Brett Hearn will be holding a driving class at the speedway the weekend of April 1st. Contact Brett for more information.
DIRT BIG BLOCKS & 358 SMALL BLOCKS:
Both the Big Blocks and the 358’s will be DIRT sanctioned.
SEASON SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS:
The OCFS Season starts with the Short Track Super Series on April 8th. The Super Dirt Series will be at OCFS on Sunday, May 7th. Empire Super Sprints return to OCFS on June 3rd. The Tri-Track Nostalgia Night will be on June 10th. Atlantic Coast Old Timers (ACOT) will be at OCFS on July 1st. American Flat Track motorcycles battle the 5/8th oval on July 8th. United Racing Club Sprints (URC) are back at OCFS on July 15th. The 104th Anniversary race is on August 19th. Champions Night is September 9th. And the big Eastern States Weekend 62nd edition will be wrapping up the season on October 20-21-22.
There are plenty of other events happening at the fairgrounds this year. Included in these are monthly car shows with burnout events, motocross, a rodeo, fireworks, the Diesels of New York, The Eve of Destruction and other happenings. A complete schedule can be found on the OCFS website.
NOSTALGIA NIGHT:
The 17th Annual Nostalgia Night will be bigger than ever with the participation of the Flemington Historical Society and many people from Nazareth Speedway involved, making it a true Tri-Track event. Lot’s of great memories of that series that ran through the late 70’s into the 80’s. In a change this year, the autograph session will be held in the afternoon prior to the racing. There will be plenty of cars and stars on hand.
Doug Dulgarian of the speedway staff has done an amazing job with the Nostalgia Night through the years. Nobody puts together a Nostalgia type event like Doug and those who assist him. And he’s excited about this year’s event.
“The Tri-Track Nostalgia Night is going to be a big deal. We’re getting together with the Flemington Historical Society and Bobby Bachman with the Nazareth people. We are getting a lot of support from them. There’s already a bunch of drivers and cars lined up. I have a list of all the drivers (26) that have won at all three tracks. We hope to get as many of those who are still with us to come to the event.”
ADMISSION PRICING:
When the Big Blocks are the headline division, it will be $20 for General Admission & Drive-In with $16 for seniors & military. With the 358 Small Blocks as the headline division, it will be $15 General Admission & Drive-In with $12 for seniors and military. With the Sportsman as the headliner, all grandstand seats will be $5 with a free 50/50 ticket. The Drive-In will be closed on the Sportsman headliner nights. Ages 12 and under are always FREE.
RESERVED PIT PARKING SPOTS:
Reserved pit parking spots are available for purchase this season. Call Doug in the office to reserve one ASAP.
DIRT & OCFS MEMBERSHIPS:
DIRT & OCFS license memberships are on sale at the speedway office and online. All Big Block and 358 Small Block Modified competitors must have a DIRT license. Any Sportsman or Street Stock competitor that wishes to compete for the point championship or wants to receive weekly discounted admission needs to have an OCFS membership. Weekly discounted admission applies to all members.
STREAMING:
Event streaming will be available for all Big Block events during the season.
Support your local racetracks!!