OCFS’ ’25 Season To Kick Off May 4th, Marking 78-Straight Years Of Racing
Story By: JOHN SNYDER / ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY – MIDDLETOWN, NY – On September 18, 1948, the first organized stock car race was held at Orange County Fair Speedway.
Winning that inaugural event was Rocky DiNatale, besting Frankie Schneider and Rocky’s brother, Chick DiNatale. Seventy-eight years later, the tradition of stock car racing continues on the historic five-eighths-mile clay oval that has hosted motorsports continuously since 1919.
The first race meet of 2025 will take the green flag on Sunday, May 4 when Falanga Trucking presents The Big Series 2 Opening Night, the first of a five-race series of DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Sportsman, and Street Stocks in qualifying heats and feature races.
Headlining the fast-paced program will be the 30-lap “Joey Falanga Memorial” DIRTcar Modified feature race, paying the winner $2,500.
“We expect a great turnout with all our regular Orange County competitors, plus several so-called invaders from other area tracks, and maybe a few surprise entrants,” says co-promoter Brett Hearn.
One of the Big Series 2 draws is the DIRTcar sanction allowing drivers to count Orange County appearances toward “home track points” which can pay DIRTcar bonuses at season end. There’s another incentive for drivers as well, the Big Series 2 top three point leaders at the conclusion of the five-race series will earn automatic starting slots seven, eight, and nine for the 64th Annual Eastern States 200, Sunday October 26.
Sharing the spotlight will be the Sportsman and Street Stock drivers, also competing in full programs of qualifying and feature races.
“There will be no shortage of Sportsman cars, that’s for sure,” says co-promoter Doug Dulgarian. “Finding enough space for all of them in the pits is a good problem to have.”
Both the Sportsman and Street Stocks compete under established Orange County rules. Point Standings are important for these divisions as well; again with the Sportsman top three point leaders earning similar Eastern States starting slots for their Friday, October 24 50-lap championship race.
Prior to Sunday’s May 4 race night, on Saturday, May 3, the speedway will hold a three hour, 6:00-9:00 pm, practice session for all competitors. The pits will open at 3:00 pm. All pit passes for the practice are $25. The stands will be open for fans free of charge.
On race day May 4, the pits will open 2:00 pm; the stands at 3:00 pm. Cars on the track at 5:00 pm, racing at 6:00 PM. General admission Adults $20 stands or drive-in, Seniors/Military $15, Children 12 and under $5. Party Deck $30 each minimum of two. Pit passes $35.
