RPW Exclusive: History Made At Brookfield After Two-Decade Hiatus; Harry Shaffer Takes Sportsman Checkers

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – BROOKFIELD, NY – With rain falling all around the Madison County Fairgrounds on Thursday evening, it was the racing Gods that kept the Brookfield Speedway from being denied their historic reopening, and Harry Shaffer was very “Happy” for that.

With the threat of rain almost all evening, it didn’t deter the preparation and hard work that went into getting the track ready for the next chapter in its racing history, one that started back in 1950. It was a gratifying night of racing to say the least.

How fitting was it that, the happiest of all on the night was “Happy” Harry Shaffer. After claiming his first career win a the speedway in 1995, the driver of the 1H found his way back to victory lane in Thursday night’s Sportsman feature, some 24 years later.

Shaffer took the top spot with two laps remaining. While lap traffic was a factor, Shaffer made his move, going low underneath leader Tyler Ward in turns three and four. He ran the final two laps nearly flawless to win on Brookfield’s tricky track.

“I really didn’t really want to come tonight,” Shaffer said. “The weather wasn’t looking good and it rained almost the whole way to the track, but I have to thank my crew because if not for them, I wouldn’t be here. They pulled our 2009 Teo from the yard and here we are. This thing worked amazing. It’s just a really great car.”

Shaffer smiled when he thought about getting another win at Brookfield.

“It sure is cool seeing this track opening while others are closing,” he said. “I’ll try to make shows here next year if they have them. The only thing I brought back from 24 years ago is me!”

Coming home in second was Ward who led most of the race and also captured the halfway bonus. Third was Hard Charger of the race Joe Orlando with John Lutes finishing fourth in the Billy August-owned #50 machine. Utica-Rome regular Charlie Tibbitts rounded out the top five.

Jerry Lobdell Jr. took home the Pro Stock feature event win after wrecking on the first lap of his heat race. He made the necessary repairs and made it out in time for the feature.

Lobdell Jr. was followed by Kenny Gates, Jim Normoyle, Christopher White , Justin Knight. and Luke Horning. Horning and Knight had strong runs up front early in the race until they ran into trouble sending them pit side.

The 4-Cylinder feature had fans on the edge of their seats as the leaders swapped for position several times in lap traffic. However, in the end, it was Isiah Forward, who pulled double duty on the night while also competing in the Sportsman division, picking up the win. Zak Petrie had to settle for second with Josh Samrov third. Chris Burnett and Rudy King rounded out the top five.

It sure was exciting to be a part of something special and was fun to see the vintage cars that Alan McDonald and Richard Perry brought pacing the Sportsman feature on the parade laps.

Everyone that was involved in the past at Brookfield and those who brought the track back to life should be proud of what took place on Thursday evening. It was a great night and hopefully not the last event held at the historic track. Thank you Madison County Fair Board!