Orange County Fair Speedway set to open the gates May 3rd for Season Opener
COLUMN BY: JON SNYDER / ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY – MIDDLETOWN, NY – For the 107th consecutive year, racing returns to historic Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York, when the Big Series 3 presents the first of five monthly programs of DIRTcar Big Block Modified, Tri-State Dry Wall Sportsman, and Interstate Batteries of Southern New York Street Stock competition. The full program includes qualifying heats, last chance consolations, and feature races for all three divisions.
Orange County is the oldest continuously operating dirt track in the country. Beginning in August 1919 when Jim Benedict, of Katonah, New York, drove his 1915 Duesenberg Special to victory, racing has continued at the fairgrounds track every year except during WWII when all motorsports was temporarily halted. The victorious Duesenberg still exists and is currently on display at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana.
“Our goal is to present a fast-paced, efficient, and exciting racing program,” says co-promoter Brett Hearn. “We want the first green flag to wave at 6:00 pm sharp. In addition, the Modified feature will be first following qualifying races and a brief intermission.”
Opening night is presented by M. Falanga Trucking, including the “Joey Falanga Memorial Feature Race, in honor of a family member who was a competitor and who lost his life in a highway accident. The Modified feature is 30 laps, Sportsman 20 laps, and Street Stock 15 laps. Qualifying races for the Modified and Sportsman divisions are eight laps; Street Stock qualifying races are six laps.
On May 3, the pits will open at 2:00 pm; the stands and popular Drive-In at 3:00 pm. Hot Laps are set for 4:45 pm, with Opening Ceremonies at 5:45 pm
Admission prices for the 2026 Big Series 3 races remain the same as 2025. General admission to the stands and Drive-In: Adults $20.00; Seniors and Military in uniform $15.00; Children under 12, $5.00. Party Deck $30 each, minimum of two. Parking on the grounds is free. Drive-In parking is $5.00. Pit passes are $35.00
A Practice Session is scheduled for Saturday, May 2 from 6:00-9:00 pm. Pits will open at 2:00 pm. Inspections for all participants. Pit passes $30.00. Fans are welcome in the stands.
Both the last May 2 Modified and Sportsman practice sessions will be timed. The fastest four times will earn pole positions in their respective Sunday’s four Modified and four Sportsman heat races!!!
Save the dates! Mark your calendars! Sunday, May 3; Sunday, June 7; Sunday, July 12; Sunday, August 9; and Sunday, September 20; Big Series 3 racing at Orange County Fair Speedway!
