News Director 
Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – WARWICK, NY – With a new car number and new looking colors, Joey Conklin will be regularly racing his Sportsman car at Accord Speedway in 2024.
With OCFS running only a limited amount of races this year, Joey wanted a track to run regularly and the choice will be Friday’s at Accord.
“We will be at Accord this season and also at the OCFS shows that have been announced,” Joey said.
One of the things Joey is looking forward to this season is the opportunity to race with his dad, Joe Conklin Sr.
Although Joey doesn’t have a whole lot of starts at The Bullring, (2 races)
“I’m hoping to get some top 10’s, maybe some top 5’s and if all goes super well, a win or two. I just want to be competitive there on a regular basis.”
The 3rd generation racer has always sported the number J73, a number his father has raced with for many years at area tracks. Joey has decided to go with #19, which his grandfather raced with many years ago.
“My grandfather raced at Accord more than 60 years ago. He is no longer with us. I have switched to #19 to honor him this season.”
Joey is entering his 3rd full season of racing. In his first season, he captured the OCFS Rookie Sportsman championship along with some feature wins.
He moved up to Sportsman in 2023 and now comes the new challenge of Accord Speedway.
Joey’s most memorable race was the 2023 Hard Clay Finale that had a very special moment for him.
“It was the first time I was ever able to race with my dad, and that was a very special race,” Joey said.
And if Joey is having a rough go of it, the first person he seeks out is his dad.
“He’s always there to talk to, to get ideas from. He’s been around it for years and he’s had some good success. at Orange County. He’s never run real well at Accord, but we are hoping that changes this year. He’s led some races there, but he always ran into bad luck of some sort.”
Like most racers, Joey enjoys making new friends and memories at the track.
Joey has a new car for 2024 which will have it’s first outing at the Accord practice session.
“I ran the Hard Clay Finale with it, it’s Drew Boniface’s old car. We bought it race ready. It was fast in the finale. We hope it will be fast at Accord.”
Sponsors for the #19 for 2024 include Affordable Painting Plus and Property Maintenance, Len & Jo’s Restaurant, F & A Concrete, Edenville General Store, Frank’s Pizza, Midnite Auto Parts, Ron’s Auto Electric, Joe’s Lawn maintenance, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse and Teo Pro Car.
Crew members are Mom & Dad, Hunter, Johnny, Stef, Herb, Mike and Jack.
A nice young fellow with a strong family and many friends backing him, Joey Conklin is enthusiastically looking forward to the 2024 season. Good luck to Joey and the team!!
