Orange County Fair Speedway’s Rev’d Up For Five-Race “The Big Series 2”
Story By: JOHN SNYDER / ORANGE COUNTY /FAIR SPEEDWAY – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Following the success of last season’s inaugural The Big Series, co-promoters Doug Dulgarian and Brett Hearn are deep into preparations for this year’s expanded The Big Series 2, five race meets scheduled across the spring and summer months at the historic Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York.
The Big Series 2 celebrates the 106 year tradition of racing at the one-half-mile clay oval.
The five Big Series 2 race meets include a fast-pace, three division program of qualifying heats and feature races headlined by the DIRT-sanctioned Big-Block Modifieds. Also in competition will be the unpredictable Sportsman and the popular full-bodied Street Stocks. “We have designed a grassroots series in the spirit of keeping the speedway that we love alive,” says co-promoter Brett Hearn, who is also the track’s all-time winning driver. “Last year’s highly successful season proved that a limited Sunday night racing schedule could be sustainable. We had great car counts in 2024, and for 2025 there have been verbal commitments from many new competitors that like the idea of running a mini-series.”
Set for Sunday, May 4, Opening Night is presented by Falanga Trucking, with the 30-lap Modified feature designated “The Joey Falanga Memorial,” honoring a former Orange County competitor who lost is life in a non-racing accident. A “test and tune” session on Saturday evening, May 3 will precede the opener.
On Sunday, June 8, the immensely popular 19th edition of Doug Dulgarian’s Nostalgia Night welcomes former competitors back to Orange County for a celebration of past glory. Activities, including a huge driver autograph session, will begin earlier in the afternoon. The entire three-division program is sponsored by Escape Power Sports.
The week after the Independence Day Holiday, on Sunday, July 13, longtime Orange County competitor and supporter Steve Dodd Plumbing & Heating present Full Fender Nostalgia Night, with the Street Stocks taking the spotlight with their “Friends of the Traverse Family” feature race boosted by increased prize money and bonus awards. The Modifieds and Sportsman complete the evening’s activities.
The Orange County Fairgrounds dates from the mid-1800s; the first auto race was held on August 15, 1919. And on Sunday, August 3, the Big Series 2 celebrates 106 years of auto racing at the venerable speedway. Superior Remodeling presents the evening’s full program of racing.
The Big Series 2 concludes its summer run on Sunday, September 7, Champions Night, sponsored by SRS Projects, will see all three division champions crowned. Each of the three feature races are titled “Henry Sharp Memorial,” in honor of a former longtime competitor. The evening also serves as a preview of the upcoming 64th Annual Eastern States Weekend, Thursday-Sunday, October 23-26, 2025.
Fans please note that admissions to the five Big Series 2 race meets remain the same as 2024: Adult general admission stands or drive-in $20, seniors and active service personnel $15, children 12 and under $5. Party Deck $30 with two-person minimum. Competitors’ pit passes $35.
Pits open at 3:00 pm, spectator gates at 4:00 pm (Nostalgia Nights earlier). Cars on the track at 5:00 pm. Racing at 6:00 pm.
