MIDDLETOWN, NY – .Saturday evening, April 10 will be the inaugural racing program featuring the H.O. Penn Small-Bock Modifieds at the big five-eighths-mile Orange County Fair Speedway clay oval in Middletown, New York. They will be joined by the exuberant Arkel Motors Sportsman division as well as the reinstated Rookie Sportsman division for novice drivers. “We’ve got a super competitive field of Small-Block Modified drivers, some who concentrate their efforts entirely in the division, but many of our Big-Block teams also have cars that fit the Small-Block specs, so we’ll have a great field of cars,” says Orange County Fair Speedway Director of Motorsports Brett Hearn. “I expect the racing to be close and exciting.” The lighter, more nimble Small-Block-powered cars turn laps nearly as fast as the Big-Block Modifieds. The 25-lap feature race for the H.O. Penn Small-Block Modifieds—the first point race towards the $10,000 Small-Block track championship—will pay the winner $2,200.
This will be the second outing of the 2021 season for the Arkel Motors Sportsman division whose cars are basically the same in appearance as the Modifieds except for a much more restricted motor. The winner of their 20-lap feature race will take home $600.
Qualifying races will set the feature race fields for both the Small-Block Modifieds and the Sportsman.
The night’s activities will also see the reintroduction of the Rookie Sportsman, which gives drivers with limited racing experience a chance to compete against others with similar motorsports backgrounds. They’ll race in a single 12-lap event, with the winner earning $200, and thanks to sponsor MJK Home Maintenance, a $100 prize to the runner-up.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the stands will be open but with limited seating. Fans may also choose to enjoy the races from the unique Orange County Drive-In section. General admission either for the stands or the Drive-In is $20 adult, $16 seniors, and free for children 12 and under. As a convenience for fans, guaranteed Drive-In parking spaces in Rows D, E, and F of the Drive-In may be reserved for $15. Unsold spaces in these rows will be available at the gate on race day. Fans may purchase tickets by calling the Speedway Office at 845-342-2573. Spectator gates will open at 4:00 pm. Prepaid 2020 Season Tickets will be honored.
OCFS will follow and enforce CDC and New York State COVID-19 protocols. Masks are required to use any of the fairgrounds facilities and to move about the grounds. Everyone is asked to maintain safe distancing. In the Drive-In, announcements and race calls can be heard over FM 107.7.
Fans unable to attend in person, may order live multi-camera streaming of the races on the OCFS website ww.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.
For competitors: Transponders and one-way radios are mandatory. Fire suppression equipment is required for all open wheel divisions (Big-Block Modified, Small-Block Modified, Sportsman, and Rookie Sportsman) and strongly recommended for Street Stocks. Street Stocks must have fire extinguisher. Pit passes are $25 for members, $35 non-members.
Media member must request credentials prior to April 10. No requests will be honored on race day. Contact Doug Dulgarian at ddulgarian@OCFSRacing.com with your request.
So that there are no misunderstandings, both competitors and fans are urged to read the detailed instructions posted on the OCFS website for following the protocols and restrictions. Everyone’s cooperation will be the best assurance of having a successful 2021 racing season. Please consult the OCFS website www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net for all the latest news and information. Call 845-342-2573 for tickets and Drive-In reservations.
