RPW Column: Over $10K Up For Grabs For Marky Traverse Memorial Street Stock Race At OCFS

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Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – After 2 weeks off during the annual Orange County Fair, OCFS is back in action with a 3 division show this Saturday, August 5th.

It is Full Fender Nostalgia Night, an event to celebrate those who have competed in those divisions over the years, Late Models, Street Stocks and Pro Stocks.

It is a bargain for race fans with $5 admission.

The Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman and Street Stocks will be in action on the historic 5/8ths of a mile oval.

The Sportsman will be completing their race from July 5th that has 4 laps completed. They then compete in a full slate of heats, consolation races and a 20 lap feature.

The strong OCFS Rookie Division will have heats and a 12 lap feature.

It will be a big night for the Street Stocks as it will be the 8th running of the Marky Traverse Memorial Race, a 20 lap feature.

The memorial race was formed in November of 2014, shortly after Marky Traverse passed away at the age of 9. Racer Jerry Wildrick came up with the idea of the memorial race and the idea was approved by OCFS owner Michael Gurda and then OCFS General Manager, Ken Sands.

Over the years, the race has steadily grown in stature and has become a season highlight for the OCFS Street Stock division. So many people have gotten involved by adding various types of bonuses to the race.

As of this writing, over $5,000 in additional bonus money has been added by businesses, racers and fans. So very nice to see this done for the racers and in memory of Marky.

Besides the memorial race, the top 3 finishers in each heat will be competing in the Mark Rutherford Dash for Cash with $500 going to the winner of the 4 lap race.

It is also the final race in Andy Crane’s series, Crane Golf Street Stock Challenge. Bob Sleight and Walt Henry are tied at the top of the Crane Golf standings.

With the base purse, bonus money, the Mark Rutherford Dash and the Crane Series, there is in excess of $10,000 available to the Street Stock racers this Saturday.

The original founder of the race, Jerry Wildrick, is sponsoring a special draw that all the competitors will be eligible for.

Sponsored by Jerry’s business, Fredon Development Industries (FDI) of Newton, NJ and his wife Melissa’s business, Salon Bleu of Augusta, NJ, all the competitor’s names will be put into a bucket. Marky’s brother, Matthew Stephens will draw one name and that lucky person will pocket $1,000.

It’s a super gesture by Jerry, Melissa and their businesses to be involved with this year’s race. Thank you to the Wildrick’s for this fantastic addition to this year’s race and all they have done in Marky’s memory through the years.

And to help celebrate Marky’s Night, all Sportsman heat winners will be receiving a Hoosier Tire certificate, courtesy of Orange County Fair Speedway.

Speaking on behalf of the Traverse Family, we can’t thank everyone who supports this race. A big thank you to Michael Gurda and Chris Larsen who have allowed this race to continue from year to year. Thank you also goes out to our friend at OCFS, Doug Dulgarian who puts in a lot of work on this race. And thank you to the OCFS office staff who work hard to sort out all of the bonuses. Our family appreciates all the efforts by everyone, much more then these written words can express.

Two of the closest friends to the Traverse Family, Mike Otis and Todd Lewis, have supplied a beautiful trophy for all 8 runnings of the memorial race. The family appreciates so much what Todd and Mike have done throughout the years.

 

2023 Marky Traverse Memorial Race Bonuses

Finishing Positions Bonuses

  • 1 $55 Steve Eubanks
  • 1 $25 Frank Frasco Home Inspections
  • 1 $121 Bob McGannon
  • 2 $150 The Hard Clay Observer!
  • 2 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 3 $100 Allen Dart
  • 3 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 4 $100 Mike Vigiletti
  • 4 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 5 $50 Ms. OCFS 2023 Shelby-Jo Murphy
  • 5 $100 Limestone Service Station, Ridgefield, Ct.
  • 5 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 6 $88 Traverse Family in memory of Harrison Shauger
  • 6 $50 OCFS 50/50 Team
  • 6 $100 Doug Dulgarian
  • 6 $25 Frank Frasco Home Inspections
  • 6 $50 Jim Banks
  • 6 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 7 $200 Team Froggy
  • 7 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 8 $25 Frank Frasco Home Inspections
  • 8 $100 Bob Sleight, Putnam Propane
  • 8 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 9 $100 Dave Morehouse, Dave’s Racing Collectibles
  • 9 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 10 $50 Mike Lennon
  • 10 $21 Bob McGannon
  • 11 $44 Traverse family in memory of Jack Whitehead
  • 12 $50 Traverse family in memory of Jack Whitehead
  • 13 $50 Traverse family in memory of Jack Whitehead
  • 14 $50 Traverse family in memory of Jack Whitehead
  • 15 $50 Traverse family in memory of Jack Whitehead
    15 $88 Ric Ryder in memory of Patty, Ric’s wife
  • 16 $150 D & M Home Improvements (Pat and Michael Giuliano)
  • 17 $100 Kim Higbie and Eddie Owens
  • 19 $100 Traverse Family in memory of Marky Traverse
  • 20 $20 Joey Bonetti

Lap Leader Bonuses

  • 2 $22 Suzanne Shortway DeAugustines in memory of Dr. Dirt, Bill Boyle
  • 5 $56 Ben Gardner in memory of Astro Pete Gardner
  • 6 $56 Ben Gardner in memory of Astro Pete Gardner
  • 7 $25 Ted Schmidt
  • 9 $64 Johnson’s Towing ‘In loving memory of Dave Johnson”
  • 10 $250 1/2 Way Bonus Dave Farber Accurate Collision
  • 11 $25 Ted Schmidt
  • 13 $50 Accord Speedway
  • 19 $50 Pete Chichitano
  • 20 $20 Joey Bonetti

Other

  • $250 Eric Lindahl Jr. last car on the lead lap
  • $100 Donna Whitehead Grant $25 to each of the last 4 cars in memory of Jack Whitehead, Harrison Shauger and Marky Traverse
  • $100 Joel Murns Hard Charger
  • $100 Todd Predmore Hard Charger
  • $50 Pete Chichitano Hard Charger
  • $20 Joey Bonetti Hard Charger
  • $93 Hollywood Racing Craig Mitchell first car to retire from the race
  • $100 Smalley Racing 22, Darlene and Steve Smalley highest finishing driver not in the top 5 in points
  • $50 HIC Racing top finishing Rookie
  • $50+$50 Marie Gully Leito heat race winners
  • $50 Pat Hedges 14th place on lap 14 in memory of Jeremy Hedges
  • $25 Pat Hedges best appearing car as selected by Matthew Stephens
  • $71 Junior Ms. OCFS 2023 Rilee Davies 7th place on lap 17 in memory of her uncle, Eric Haubrich
  • $65 Hager Brothers Racing Team 6th place on lap 5
  • $200 Katelin and John’s Craft Creations Fast Lap Challenge, fast lap in competition during the evening wins
  • $!000 Jerry Wildrick, Fredon Development Industries (FDI) and Salon Bleu. Random draw of all competitors for the $1000 prize
  • $20 Joey Bonetti 20th spot on lap 20
  • $20 Joey Bonetti 20th starter
  • $25 Herb Dunn car running in halfway position at halfway
  • $25 Herb Dunn 2nd car that is 1 lap down at finish
  • Victory Lane Photos from KBS Photos, Kevin Berryman

Good luck to all racers Saturday!!

 
 
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