After 14 Years, Hagerstown Speedway ‘Octoberfest’ Win List Will Grow Again October 17-18

Story By: BRETT DEYO / STSS – HAGERSTOWN, MD – It’s a list all drivers long to be on: Hagerstown Speedway ‘Octoberfest’ winner.

After 14 years, they’ll get the opportunity again in 2025.

‘Octoberfest 150’ Friday-Saturday Oct. 17-18 is back on the Mid-Atlantic motorsports calendar promoted by Brett Deyo, who leased the facility from Lisa Plessinger for the event’s long-awaited return.

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modifieds, Jim Bernheisel’s ‘Fall Clash’ Super Late Models, Spec 358-Modifieds and STSS Sportsman are on the agenda for the first ‘Octoberfest’ since 2011.

Modifieds were part of every ‘Octoberfest’ event from 1988-2011. No driver won more than Brett Hearn with seven ‘Octoberfest’ triumphs including the final four in a row. Hearn’s victories occurred in ’93, 97, 2001, ’08-’11.

Billy Pauch was the inaugural Modified winner in ’88 and returned to Victory Lane in ’92, ’95 and ’96 for a total of four victories.

The late Doug Hoffman posted his first victory in ’90 and did it again 12 years later in ’02. J.R. Heffner also owns a pair of wins in ’00 and ’05.

Single event winners include Frank Cozze (’89), Craig Von Dohren (’91), Bob McCreadie (’94), Mike Romano (’98), Mitch Gibbs (’99), Brian Weaver (’03), Matt Sheppard (’04), Danny Johnson (’06) and Wade Hendrickson (’07).

Like the big-block counterparts, Super Late Models have taken part in every ‘Octoberfest’ edition.

Gary Stuhler was the inaugural winner in ’88 and returned to win in ’96, ’99, ’03 and ’10 for a total of five wins.

Rick Eckert is a three-time ‘Octoberfest’ Super Late Model winner with triumphs in ’01, ’02 and ’09.

Other multiple winners are Davey Johnson (’92 and ’95), Donnie Moran (’91 and ’93), and Jeremy Miller (’04 and ’06).

Credited with one Super Late Model ‘Octoberfest’ victory are Nathan Durboraw (’89), John Mason (’90), Rodney Franklin (’94), Bart Hartman (’97), Chub Frank (’98), Brian Ruhlman (’00), Ronnie DeHaven (’05), Alan Sagi (’07), Tim McCreadie (’08) and Josh Richards (’11).

The small-block (358-Modified) division was added in 1995 with Doug Hoffman the first-time winner.

Brett Hearn leads the way with three 358-Modified wins (’00, ’05 and ’11). Others winning more than once include Doug Hoffman (’95 and ’97), Craig Von Dohren (’96 and ’98) and Tim McCreadie (’09 and ’10).

One-time 358-Modified winners are Todd Burley (’01), Kenny Brightbill (’02), Andy Bachetti (’03), Matt Sheppard (’04), Billy Decker (’06), Kevin Hirthler (’07) and Rick Laubach (’08).

Sportsman cars will take part in the ‘Octoberfest’ event for the first time ever this October and one driver will have the opportunity to make history on Maryland soil.

The two-day event kicks off on Friday (Oct. 17) with ‘Fall Clash’ Super Late Model Series taking part in a complete program leading up to a 35-lap, $6,000-to-win headliner. Also, on the Friday agenda are Spec 358 Modifieds in their own 35-lap, $4,000-to-win event.

Super Late Model and Spec 358-Modified qualifying will precede the Friday main events.

Modified and Sportsman competitors from the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco are welcome for practice rounds offering a pair of main event redraws to each division.

Saturday (Oct. 18) features the STSS Modifieds of the NJ Quality Drywall South Region in a championship 50-lap event paying $7,000 to win and $500 to take the green flag.

Belmont’s Garage STSS Sportsman race in a 30-lap event with $2,000 going to the winner: the final points-paying race of the season.

Qualifying events for both divisions will precede the headliners on Saturday.

Complete weekend pricing and a schedule of events have been posted on the STSS website:  https://www.shorttracksuperseries.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=1143903

Rules for the STSS Modifieds, Spec 358-Modifieds, STSS Sportsman are also on the series website: https://www.shorttracksuperseries.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=1146306

Registration for STSS divisions is open via the My Race Pass app: https://www.myracepass.com/series/1996/registrations/12510

Super Late Models will compete under ‘Fall Clash’ rules and procedures: https://clashmotorsports.com/fall_clash.html

Camping is permitted – free of charge – on the Hagerstown Speedway grounds for the weekend (no hook-ups).

Opening in 1948, Hagerstown Speedway is the longest operating dirt track in Maryland located at 15112 National Pike Hagerstown, MD 21740. To learn more, visit www.hagerstownspeedway.com, like Hagerstown Speedway on Facebook or follow @hagerstownspdwy on (X).

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on (X) or Instagram.