Orange County Fair Speedway

Orange County Fair Speedway is a 0.625 mi (1.006 km) dirt oval speedway in Middletown, Orange County, New York.[7] The facility holds weekly stock car races and demolition derbies during the summer months. The track was built in 1857 for horse racing at the Orange County Fair and staged its first automobile race on August 16, 1919. The fair began as an agricultural exhibit in 1843 and was permanently located in the Wallkill–Middletown area in 1857. The speedway is located at 239 Wisner Avenue in Middletown on land which was known as The Ogden Tract in the mid-1850s. It was originally a half-mile horse racing track known as the Harry Clay Oval, named after a race horse that was famous at that time. Over the years, the track was widened and lengthened to a true 5/8-mile race track.

Orange County Fair Speedway
"The House of Power"
Orange County Fair Speedway Grandstand
LocationMiddletown, New York,
at 239 Wisner Avenue, Middletown, New York 10940, United States[1]
Time zoneGMT-5
Coordinates41°26′52″N 74°23′36″W
Capacity8,000
OwnerMike Gurda IV[2]
OperatorIndependent
Broke ground1857 - For Horse Racing
OpenedAugust 16, 1919 - First Auto Race[3]
Construction costUnknown
ArchitectUnknown
Former namesOgden Tract, Harry Clay Oval, Victory Speedway
Major eventsEastern States 200
Eastern States 100
Hard Clay Open[4]
Street Stock Shootout[5]
Oval
SurfaceDirt
Length0.625 mi (1.006 km)
Turns4
BankingSemi-Banked
Race lap record0:16.083 (139.899 MPH)[6] (Joey Saldana, Joey Saldana Racing, September 24th, 2008, WoO Sprint Car)
Websitewww.orangecountyfairspeedway.net/index.html

History

In 1913, the Orange County Fair Society director, George Martin, who was an auto racing enthusiast, brought the idea of replacing the horses with automobiles to the board of directors but his proposition was denied for six straight years. Martin's idea was vetoed by the board but he was stubborn and he argued, talked and persisted until he finally convinced the board of directors to at least try it in 1919. The race was witnessed by 5,000 in attendance and was won by James Benedict driving a Benedict Special powered by a Deusenberg motor.[8] 1924 saw the track resurfaced with clay from a nearby pond, which was found to be soft enough for the horse races that still occasionally took place on the track yet tacky and stable enough for auto racing. This "hard clay" allowed for the track to gain a reputation for its speed that persists to this day.

Auto racing continued at the speedway each year until the beginning of World War II when motorsports nationwide was suspended due to shortages of gasoline, iron, steel, rubber and aluminum. Weekly stock car racing began on April 16, 1950 and has continued every week since that time.[9] In 1946, after World War II ended, the Harry Clay Oval was renamed Victory Speedway, Inc and saw the return of ARDC Midget racing. Stock car racing officially began at the speedway on September 18, 1948 as Rocky Dinatale is credited with the first-ever stock car win. The first fully contested championship season began on April 16, 1950[10] and the first race of the season was won by Tex Enright driving # 407 Modified coupe. Enright would later go on to be one of the most popular flagmen in dirt track auto racing.[11]

Today, the Orange County Fair Speedway still operates on a weekly basis from April to September. Nicknamed "The House of Power", the Orange County Fair Speedway boasts a long history of dirt track auto racing where many legendary northeast dirt track drivers have tested the boundaries of the hard clay. The speedway has been home to many dirt track modified drivers such as Frankie Schneider, Ray Brown, Will Cagle and Buzzie Reutimann and drivers of today are still testing their limits on the 5/8-mile track; like Brett Hearn, Rich Eurich, Danny Johnson and Jerry Higbie.

In addition to auto racing, the facility will begin a new era of motocross racing on a race track built in 2013 outside of turns 3 and 4.

On November 26, 2014 speedway owner Mike Gurda announced that in 2015 the speedway will run as an independent track and end its sanction with DIRTcar NorthEast.

Eastern States Weekend

The track also hosts the annual Eastern States Weekend, where dirt Modified, 358- Modified, and Sportsman drivers race their cars in 200 (modified), 150 (358s), and 50 lap races. The weekend usually falls in mid-October. This is the end of the racing season for most regulars at the track.

The Eastern States 200 Modified race is the oldest consecutively-run championship event for dirt track Modified stock cars in the United States.

The first race was run on October 28, 1962 and was won by Frankie Schneider of Lambertville, New Jersey.[12]

In 1968 the annual 100-lap event was increased to 200 laps.[13] The all-time track champion at Orange County Fair Speedway, Brett Hearn has won the Eastern States 200 a record 12 times since 1979.[14][15]

Eastern States 200 Winners

(As of 2018)

YearDriver
2019Stewart Friesen
2018Stewart Friesen
2017Brett Hearn
2016Stewart Friesen
2015Tommy Meier
2014Brett Hearn
2013Brett Hearn
2012Brett Hearn
2011Danny Johnson
2010Tim McCreadie
2009Jerry Higbie
2008Danny Johnson
2007Jeff Heotzler
2006Brett Hearn
2005Brett Hearn
2004Brett Hearn
2003Bobby Varin
2002Brett Hearn
2001Danny Johnson
2000Chuck McKee
1999Alan Johnson
1998Billy Decker
1997Danny Johnson
1996Brett Hearn
1995Jimmy Horton
1994Bob McCreadie
1993Danny Johnson
1992Danny Johnson
1991Jimmy Horton
1990Frank Cozze
1989Frank Cozze
1988Rich Eurich
1987Doug Hoffman
1986Brett Hearn
1985Jack Johnson
1984Dave Lape
1983C.D. Coville
1982Harry Behrent
1981Brett Hearn
1980Kenny Brightbill
1979Brett Hearn
1978Lou Lazzaro
1977Gary Balough
1976Gerald Chamberlain
1975Wayne Reutimann
1974Bobby Bottcher
1973Gerald Chamberlain
1972Buzzie Reutimann
1971Will Cagle
1970Will Cagle
1969Al Tasnady
1968Will Cagle
1967Frankie Schneider
1966Will Cagle
1965Ron Lux
1964Rags Carter
1963Frankie Schneider
1962Frankie Schneider

[14]

Weekly events

Auto races are every Saturday night from April through September and features a variety of stock car divisions including Big Block Modifieds, Small Block Modifieds, Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, Street Stocks, Thunder Trucks, CRSA Sprints, Slingshots and hosts an annual World of Outlaws Sprint Car race each and every May.

In addition to weekly auto racing, the Orange County Fair Speedway has built a brand new motocross track on the grounds which made its inaugural debut in 2014 with six dates of racing.

List of track champions

Stock car championships have been contested at the Orange County Fair Speedway consecutively since 1950 when the first Modified championship was won by Russ Dodd of Middletown.[16]

SeasonModified358 ModifiedSportsmanLM/Street Stock/Pure StockPro-Stock - ExpertPro-Stock - NovicePro-Stock - Rookie
1950Russ Dodd
1951Harry North
1952Ray Brown
1953Ray Brown
1954Bud Marl
1955Charlie South
1956Bud Marl
1957Ray Brown
1958Sonny Strupp
1959Russ Delp
1960Sonny Strupp
1961Bob Malzahn
1962Ken Wismer Sr.Jay Zanetti
1963Frankie SchneiderBilly Tanosh
1964Frankie Schneider / Billy DeskovickDoc Norton
1965Bob MalzahnJerry Wilson
1966Will CagleEddie Yonkers
1967Will CagleStan Sherman
1968Will CagleHarold WoodJack Rassiga
1969Will CagleBob DeanGeorge Kueck
1970Will CagleRich EurichGeorge Kueck
1971Carl Van HornJerry WilsonBrian DuBois
1972Buzzie ReutimannJerry WilsonLoren Holland Sr.
1973Bobby BottcherBobby GreenBob DeLease
1974Buzzie ReutimannJim Horton Jr.
1975Wayne ReutimannHarry Behrent
1976Jimmy HortonRuss Meyer
1977Wayne ReutimannBrett Hearn
1978Billy OsmunLarry Brolsma
1979Brett HearnRalph HeotzlerEddie Woodruff
1980Brett HearnJeff HeotzlerJohn Falcone
1981Rich EurichRalph HeotzlerMike Barlow
1982Rich EurichSteve BottcherMike Barlow
1983Brett HearnJeff ScaccioTom CoxTerry ZuidemaBobby Knipe
1984Brett HearnRobbie GreenTom CannizzaroBobby KnipeVinnie Yannone
1985Carl CollisGary LaBaghBobby KnipeEmerson Cargain Sr.Ken Tompkins
1986Brett HearnJeff HeotzlerCris GrispinJohn FinleyTommy Meier
1987Brett HearnBrett HearnBobby KnipeKen TompkinsJohn Majka
1988Rich EurichChuck LoPrestiSteve DoddRob Medynski / Bobby KnipeCraig Lynch
1989Brett HearnBrett HearnEddie RednerTommy KuckScott Kehr
1990Brett HearnBrett HearnKen BonifaceTommy MeierSteve Galgano
1991Brett HearnBrett HearnTommy MeierSteve DurandKen Pettit
1992Brett HearnBrett HearnSteve BirchwaleScott KehrJim Cancel
1993Brett HearnDanny JohnsonDave WerberTim GreenMark Hufcut
1994Brett HearnHowie FinchTim HindleyScott KehrTim Dembek
1995Brett HearnJimmy HauserStan JablonkaBarry FilipowskiAndy Dembek
1996Jimmy HortonBob Hayes Jr.Tim HindleyTom CannizzaroJohn Bryson
1997Jeff HeotzlerDanny JohnsonJimmy JohnsonTom CannizzaroMike Pomarico
1998Chuck McKeeAndy BachettiTony Paes Jr.Brian HoughtalingCliff TinnelyWillie Auchmoody
1999Brett HearnBrett HearnChris ShultzAl D'AntonioCliff TinnelyRob Lowe
2000Chuck McKeeAndy BachettiChris ShultzRon IrvinTom KuckJamie McGannon
2001Chuck McKeeAndy BachettiMark HufcutAl D'AntonioAndy DembekPete Goydich
2002Chuck McKeeTim HindleyStan JablonkaRon IrvanTom DembekBob Waters Jr.
2003Jeff HeotzlerTommy MeierJoe DunayAl D'AntonioJohn BrysonMarty Pender
2004Tommy MeierJerry HigbieRick MillGreg KurtzmanJamie McGannonRon Carlson
2005Jeff HeotzlerJerry HigbieRick MillAl D'Antonio / Ray TarantinoSean CorrDon Williams
2006Brett HearnBrett HearnJoe MorelJulius Pepin / Marty Van NeiuwlandBill Pacual
2007Jeff HeotzlerDavid Van HornRich CoonsEmerson Cargain Sr. / John HechingerBob Waters Jr.
2008David Van HornJerry HigbieMike RuggieroTim McCarthy / Joel MurnsMike Dutka
2009Chuck McKee / Jerry HigbieChuck McKeeMike RuggieroEmerson Cargain Sr. / Matt BurkeBill Pascual
2010Jerry HigbieBrian KrummelEmerson Cargain Sr.Don CarlsonJason Harayda
2011Tommy MeierGary Edwards Jr.Charlie DonaldMike Dutka
2012Jerry HigbieGary Edwards Jr.Charlie DonaldMike Dutka
2013Tim HindleyDanny CreedenBrian KrummelStephen KammerJason Harayda
2014Tim HindleyChuck McKeeLJ LombardoMike Vigiletti
2015Jerry HigbieGary Edwards Jr.Randy SweetmanJim Maher
2016Tommy MeierTommy MeierTyler BonifaceMike Vigiletti
2017Jimmy HortonAnthony PerregoJessie LeibyMike Vigiletti
2018Anthony PerregoBrian KrummelGreg SleightJim Maher
2019Brett HearnAnthony PerregoGrant HilfigerBobby Sleight Jr.

[17][18]

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References
  1. "Track Location". Orange County Fair Speedway. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  2. Justin Rodriguez (2010-06-17). "Auto racing: Sale of OCFS not expected to affect track". recordonline.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  3. "First Auto Race". Victoryspeedway.net. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  4. Deyo, Brett. "Bang For Your Buck". Brett Deyo Motorsports Media. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  5. "The Hard Clay". Orange County Fair Speedway. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  6. "World of Outlaws Sprint Car race". Ultimateracinghistory.com. 2008-09-24. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  7. "The Hard Clay". Orange County Fair Speedway. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  8. Martin, Raymond (1971). The Hard Clay in Orange County: 50 Years of Speed, 1919-1969. Middletown, New York: Jimray Corporation. p. 2.
  9. "The Hard Clay". Orange County Fair Speedway. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  10. "The Hard Clay". Orange County Fair Speedway. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  11. "Tex Enright bio". Empaonline.org. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  12. Martin, Raymond C. (1971). The Hard Clay In Orange County: 50 Years of Speed, 1919-1969. Middletown, New York: Jimray Corporation. p. 137.
  13. Martin, Ray (1971). The Hard Clay in Orange County: 50 years of speed, 1919-1969. Middletown, New York: Jimray Corporation. p. 174. OCLC 35245361.
  14. "Eastern States 200 - Orange County Fair Speedway - All-Time Winners". Coracingworld.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  15. Frank Catizone (2013-10-28). "Hearn wins 10th Eastern States 200 title". recordonline.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  16. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZAJgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3G0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2632%2C3356372
  17. "OCFS Past Champions - Jeff Lambert's Dirt Track Racing". Jeffersonlambert.weebly.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  18. "Orange County Fair Speedway track champions through the years". recordonline.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
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