Hard Clay Open Kicks Off Orange County Fair Speedway 100th Anniversary Season Sunday, April 7

Hard Clay Open Kicks Off Orange County Fair Speedway 100th Anniversary Season Sunday, April 7

Story By: Brett Deyo/SSTS

Photos By: Pete MacDonald/RacersGuide.com

MIDDLETOWN, NY – A memorable 100th anniversary season for Orange County Speedway gets the green flag on Sunday, April 7.

And the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco has the honor of kicking off the celebration at the Middletown, N.Y., facility.

The Escape RV-presented ‘Hard Clay Open’ takes the track on April 7 to launch the STSS Halmar International North Region $12,500 championship battle. The series’ North Region has nine events on the docket for the 2019 season, beginning and ending the points race at Orange County.

The 50-lap big-block/small-block Modified main event will celebrate the richest-ever edition this year. In honor of the Orange County Fair Speedway centennial, a massive $11,919 is up for grabs in the winner, with $1,150 going to the 10th-place finisher and $700 just to take the green flag.

“I grew up spending every Saturday night in the half-covered grandstands at Orange County Fair Speedway,” STSS organizer Brett Deyo said. “It’s a huge honor to have our series be the first to hit the track as the speedway celebrates 100 years of auto racing.

“Michael Gurda and Chris Larsen have done amazing things in the past couple of years to upgrade the facility. We’re honored to be part of it.”

Sail panels will adorn the side of the Modifieds for the ‘Hard Clay Open’ with engine rules allowing for big- and small-block combinations. A diverse and talented field is expected to congregate at the five-eighths-mile ‘Hard Clay’ oval led by defending STSS Halmar International North Region champion Billy Decker driving for Jeremy Smith Racing.

Previous ‘Hard Clay Open’ victors have included: Stewart Friesen (2018 & 2015), Andy Bachetti (2017 & 2014) and Tommy Meier (2016). Who will take home the big money in April?

Joining the STSS Modifieds on the OCFS docket are Crate 602 Sportsman, running under the speedway’s weekly rules, for $1,000 to win. A quick-hitting, two-division open wheel doubleheader is on the agenda.

The speedway has an Open Practice planned prior to the ‘Hard Clay Open’ on Saturday, April 6.

Complete ‘Hard Clay Open’ race information has been posted on the all-new Short Track Super Series website: www.shorttracksuperseries.com.

Rules, Times, Prices & Event Information: http://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/HCOGeneralInformationSheet2019.pdf

STSS Modified Pay Structure: http://shorttracksuperseries.com/hard-clay-open-stss-modified-pay-structure/

STSS Modified Entry Form: http://shorttracksuperseries.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019HardClayOpenSTSSModifiedEntry.pdf

For those unable to attend the ‘Hard Clay Open’ in person, the event will be broadcast live by www.DirtTrackDigest.tv.

Located at 239 Wisner Avenue Middletown, N.Y., 10940 on the Orange County Fairgrounds, Orange County Fair Speedway is the oldest continuously operating dirt track in the United States. The first auto race was held at the speedway in 1919. The five-eighths-mile oval offers fully-covered and half-covered grandstands in addition to open bleacher seating on the frontstretch and turn one areas, with drive-in viewing on the backstretch. To learn more, contact the Orange County Fair Speedway office at 845.342.2573 or visit www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

To learn more about the 2019 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 Twitter or Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Insinger Performance, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Velocita-USA, Design for Vision/Sunglass Central, Rob Sherlock Roofing, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Beyea Custom Headers, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, EIBACH Springs, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Henry’s Exhaust, Hig Fab, HyperCo, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Land Hoe Maintenance, K&N, MJK Home Maintenance, Precision Hydraulic & Oil, QA1, Racing Optics, Superior Remodeling, Teo-Pro Car, VAHLCO, Velocita, WELD Racing & Wilwood.

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco

Modified Halmar International North Region 2019 Schedule

Sunday, April 7 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. – Hard Clay Open – $11,919 to win!

Sunday, May 26 – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, N.Y. – Lightning on the Mountain

Tuesday, June 4 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, Pa. – Anthracite Assault – COMBO

Wednesday, June 19 – Outlaw Speedway/Dundee, N.Y. – Outlaw Showdown

Wednesday, July 3 – Fonda Speedway/Fonda, N.Y. – Firecracker 50 – $10,000 to win!

Tuesday, July 9 – Accord Speedway/Accord, N.Y. – Battle of the Bullring

Tuesday, August 13 – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, N.Y. – Hustlin’ the High Banks 55 – $5,500 to win!

Friday-Saturday October 11-12 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. – American Racer Cup Short Track SuperNationals 12

Thursday, October 24 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. – Hard Clay Finale – $10,000 to win – CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS