Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – There’s always lots of debates going on in racing. Who is the best, who has the best looking car, who might be bending the rules and the list goes on. Those types of debates help to keep it interesting.
But there’s one aspect of racing for those of us in the northeast can all agree upon this season, and that is the weather. It has been downright brutal for racing in 2023 with so many rainouts.
It’s hard to believe with the amount of events contested in 2023, but the Orange County Fair Speedway is now into the 2nd half of the calendar schedule. Let’s hope that Mother Nature is a whole lot more kind to tracks, racers, teams, and fans over the 2nd half of the season.
The OCFS Sportsman division has been the most active so far this season with 6 different winners in 6 features (5 point races). As the point season moves into the 2nd half, a former champion leads the points.
Brian Krummel sits atop the OCFS point standings. Krummel is no stranger to winning championships at OCFS. He is a two-time Sportsman champion along with a 358 Small Block championship.
Krummel currently has a 25 point lead. Should Brian falter, or the team decides not to pursue the championship, there is a group of 5 drivers, all within 6 points of each other, ready to take advantage of any opening that presents itself.
Defending Sportsman champion, Cody Higbie, is 2nd in the standings with 3rd place Tyler Johnston a single point behind. Mike Sabia is 4th, Jeff Higham is 5th and Dominic Roselli Jr is 6th, just 6 points behind Higbie and trailing Krummel by 31.
As the season progresses to Champion’s Night, it looks like it will be a great and close points race in the Sportsman division.
The OCFS Street Stock division has completed 4 features and defending champion, Bob Sleight, is out front by 12 points over Walt Henry. Henry has scored 2 wins already this season and he has looked most impressive this season in his 171. Jack Beaumont is 3rd in the points with Ryan Modiano 4th and Mike Vigiletti 5th.
Three total Big Block races (2 point races) have been conducted and as it’s been recent seasons, it’s Matt Sheppard in Victory Lane all 3 times. Anthony Perrego trails Sheppard by 8. Jimmy Horton is 3rd, trailing Sheppard by 39. Dillon Steuer is 4th and Brett Hearn is 5th.
Two 358 Small Block Modified races have been held and they were both won by defending 358 Champion, Anthony Perrego. Dillon Steuer is currently 2nd, 9 points back. Danny Creeden and Billy VanInwegen are tied for 3rd, 27 points back and Tanner VanDoren is 5th, 28 behind Perrego.
With 2 wins in 3 Rookie Sportsman races, Michael Giuliano has a 24 point lead over Brock Miller. Moose Shauger and Fred Pavia are tied for 3rd with Shawn Murphy 5th.
After a week off, racing returns this Saturday, July 1st with a big show consisting of the H.O. Penn 358 Small Block Modifieds, Sportsman and the North East Parts Group Street Stocks. Also appearing will be the Atlantic Coast Old Timers with their vintage competitors having an exhibition race.
The night of racing is being sponsored by the Texas Roadhouse and County Waste & Recycling. Both businesses are long time supporters of racing at OCFS.
Come on out for a night of racing at the historic 5/8ths oval. General Admission for July 1st is $15, $12 for Senior/Military. Drive-In G.A. is $15, $12 Senior/Military and a $1 parking fee. The Party Deck is $25 per person/$100 Table (2 person Minimum Limit 4 per Table). Pit admission is $30 members, $35 non-members.
There will be another autograph session this Saturday, this time with Sportsman racers. Jared Miller, Jay Silvernail, Jared LaBagh, Ryan Neiger, Ryan Behrent, Dominic Roselli Jr., Cody Higbie and Brett Weslowski are the racers scheduled to appear.
One of the things that Ms. OCFS 2023, Shelby-Jo Murphy, wanted to bring back this year is the intermission autograph sessions. The Street Stock drivers did a great job at the previous one and Shelby-Jo is again working hard to make this one a success.
Great job Shelby-Jo!