Richard Smith Joins Weekly Small Block Division At Orange County Fair Speedway For 2019
Story By: JORDAN SHEEHAN / ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Richard Smith is set to call Orange County Fair Speedway home in the 2019 season. Smith is a former Accord Speedway regular, and will join the ranks of the OCFS 358 Small Block Modified division.
Determined, perseverant, and stalwart are just some of many qualities one would use to describe Richard Smith. Smith is a 25 year old self employed excavator out of Accord New York, and this switch comes after him competing in a limited scheduled 2018 season.
“I raced at Accord till July last season. Then I went limited schedule. It’s tough competing weekly with no shop help. Two races a month is very doable. I will gain family time with my wife and two kids. I’ll be going camping and stuff and still be able to do what I love. Plus I’ll be points racing.”
Smith will be bringing a 2017 Teo Pro Car chassis and Bedell Built Dirt Legal 358 combo into OCFS during this season. 2018 was the first time Smith ran the Teo Pro Car and this motor is brand new for 2019.
“2018 was my first year with Teo Pro Car. I had a couple good runs but I needed some improvement. I haven’t raced with this chassis/motor combo because I ran an open small block last season. However Bedell has done my motors for the last 3-4 seasons and his work is second to none. He’s extremely clean, reliable, and stout.”
Smith travels a road familiar among many of today’s dirt racing stars. He started his career out in quad racing in 2006, before making the switch to Accord Speedways Sportsman division. He would race there shortly before returning to quad racing throughout 2009. Then in 2010 he came back in a Modified weekly at Accord where he would collect 3 Modified wins.
“Any race win is a great moment. The first win was the last Joe Winne Memorial so that’s a hard one to top. It was my rookie year and only my 6th race in Modifieds. Prior to I only had half a season in Sportsman. I didn’t qualify for the first three Modified races cause that’s when Accord had 30 cars weekly.”
Smiths latest win was recorded in 2017, where after a full season he was able to garner a third place position in points. Coming into OCFS in 2019 he has set personal goals for himself.
“I’m hoping for a win. I’ve never won at any track other than Accord. Overall I want a good season. Just have consistency and finish top 10 in points. It couldn’t be done without Richard Smith Logging & Landclearing, Tri-State Hardwoods for their continuous support all these years, the welcoming of All Phase Insulation to the team, the greatly appreciated Nat Huggins Welding and a special thanks to Jimmy Ceccoli.”
The influx of drivers returning to OCFS continues to grow. Richard Smith will be yet another gem added to the star studded Small Block division. After a rocky 2018, 2019 may be the shining year for Smith in his #16R. To keep up to date on Rich and his racing endeavors give him a follow on Facebook at Smith Racing 16R.
