RPW Exclusive: Short Track Super Series’ Hard Clay Finale Added To Eastern States Weekend At OCFS

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – As announced last week, stock car racing is planned to hit the track at Orange County Fair Speedway in 2024.

In the announcement by the speedway, it was mentioned that it will be a reduced schedule this year. However, many fans of the speedway were rejoicing with the word that there will indeed be racing at the historic Hard Clay this coming year.

Although a schedule is currently being organized, the speedway released that Eastern States Weekend would be occurring from October 25-27, 2024.

Now comes word from Brett Deyo that the Short Track Super Series will be included during that weekend.

The Hard Clay Finale is scheduled for Thursday, October 24th. This would indicate that the 63rd Eastern States Weekend would once again be a four-day event.  The feature for the Modifieds will be 50 laps and pay $10,000 to the winner.

We spoke with Series promoter, Brett Deyo, on Wednesday afternoon about what bringing his Series back to OCFS, the track where it got its start, means to him.

“I grew up going to Orange County every week from two years old until I started working for Area Auto,” Deyo said.  “It’s a special place to me and the Series. I appreciate every race there, but this one will mean a little more.”

Deyo also spoke of the connection he has with OCFS’ Michael Gurda and how that relationship helped make this event possible.

“Michael and I have a really good relationship and actually talk quite a bit,” he said.  “I let the dust settle first and started working on getting a Series date at Middletown. He’s not looking to have any stock car events early in the season this year so the Finale worked for both of us.”

That’s not all Brett shared had to talk about.  He also gave a little more information about the happenings for the Short Track Super Series for ’24.

“We are going to release our combined North / South point fund soon,” he said.  “It will be around $40,000 total and having OCFS back on the schedule makes it the 18th track for our Modifieds this year.”

Deyo’s events at OCFS are always very popular with the competitors as over 50 Modifieds took part in both races last season.  This is great positive news for fans of Hard Clay as many of us are anxious to see any events at the track this upcoming season.

The addition of the Hard Clay Finale is especially sweet.  Be sure to get out and support your local track in 2024!!!