Blockbuster Start For Afton Motorsports Park Saturday Night; ’23 Season Opener Set To Take Green
News Director 
Story By: LEON ANDRUS / AFTON MOTORSPORTS PARK – AFTON, NY – Afton Motorsports Park is where you want to be this Saturday night May 6 as you can be a part of history being made.
Racing action is switching to Saturday nights for the first time in history that a full season of racing has been run on this night. What a great opener is planned too, with a huge tribute going out to the winingest Modified competitor at the speedway, that being Mitch Gibbs aka ‘The Show Stopper’.
All gates will swing open at 4:00 pm with hot-laps scheduled at 5:45 pm and racing at 6:30 pm. Adult admission is $12.00 Students (9-14) $5.00 8and under are free.
A huge tribute to Mitch Gibbs is scheduled at intermission time as they will honor his racing-career. Many family and friends will be there as the family will have some trivia questions and have some great prizes to win and some other special things will be happening by the track and you won’t want to miss it, The ZMK Construction Modified feature will be a special thirty-two-lap affair with the extra two in honor of Mr. Gibbs. The (2g) was the number used for many of his feature wins at the speedway. A base pay of two grand will be going to the winner, with each lap sponsored for at least $25.00 with many for more. A $100.00 is ready to go to the scheduled four heat race winners with other special payouts like hard charger and a special challenge being put up. All the folks putting up all the extra cash will be mentioned a few times by Leon Andrus who after retirement will be returning to also be a part of history being made. Everyone at the track wants to send out a huge thank you to all the great supporters of this event.
Rounding out the card on this night will be the Pit Stop Auto Crate Sportsman, Rinker Insurance 600 Modified division, Big E’s Shed Sledding & Sales Limited Sportsman and a return of the CARQUEST of Unadilla Four Cylinder division. Lil’ Dave Excavating & Stanton Cattle Co Sling Shots are on the card this week as they run bi-weekly. The week that they are off the Gary’s U-Pull It IMCA Modified are running as they make a return to the speedway. The following week is a huge memorial event for former competitor Will Ward of this division. Back to back huge events hear at Afton Motorsports Park.
Two test and tune sessions have been run at the track with the first being a little dry with huge winds and the track stayed in great shape. The one ran just this past Saturday despite rain all around the area and many days of rain leading up to this final test and tune. Competitors were raving the surface wit the new clay that was laid down in the early spring as it stayed smooth and times were approaching track records. The track could have been described in one word, Pristine. Come on out and be a part of history and see all that is planned for Mitch Gibbs. If for some reason you can’t make it out this week or any other week you can still catch all the racing action on Race Report TV. One last thing also, come hungry as you will want to try some of the fresh made burgers and the fresh cut french fries along with all the returning favorites. Plus, don’t forget also new this year will be hand dipped ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Spectators on the way in make sure to pick up a bag of candy for the kids and get the ticket attached so they have a chance to win a bicycle. It is scheduled to be done weekly and the track is currently looking for sponsors for the great give-away for the children as we love to have them get hooked on this great sport. If you would like to get involved call Ron Ford at 607.624.3772 or see Todd Stanton in the pit area or come see me in the tower and we will take care of you. Drivers, owners, fans or businesses can get involved. See you Saturday for all the Fun Fast and Furious action.
