RPW Column: Modified Twin 50’s, USAC Wingless Sprints Up Next At Orange County Thursday

RPW Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – It took a long time for the area around the Orange County Fair Speedway to get to a point to be able to get their season rolling.

Despite a couple of kicks from Mother Nature the past two weeks, OCFS has successfully gotten their first 4 events into the books. And up next is the one of the biggest events scheduled at the historic speedway for 2020.

On Thursday, July 2nd, the Rapid Tire USAC East Coast Wingless Sprint Car Series will be making their first ever visit to Orange County to compete in a 25 lap feature race. In addition, the United Rentals DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds will have a pair of 50 lap features.

It could be a very profitable night if one driver can triumph in both 50’s. Each 50 lapper will pay $5,000 to the winner. If any driver is able to win both 50’s, they will take home an extra $5,000 for a possible $15,000 haul.

As it happens with a mid week big money event, the event has drawn some interest from some drivers who have had success in the past at OCFS.

Billy Decker has indicated he will be at OCFS on July 2nd. Decker has recorded 4 career wins at OCFS throughout the years, including the 1998 Eastern States 200. Decker hasn’t won at OCFS since 2011, but this always front running racer cannot be overlooked. He finished a strong 3rd in last fall’s 200, so he knows how to handle the resurfaced OCFS track.

Two Lebanon Valley regulars will be making the tow to OCFS for the 50’s. “The Wild Child” Andy Bachetti and LJ Lombardo will be in competition. Bachetti is a 10 time Modified winner including 2 wins in the Hard Clay Open. He knows how to get to Victory Lane in a longer distance event. Lombardo is a 3 time Big Block winner at OCFS and is one of the top competitors at The Valley.

“Batman” Peter Britten has indicated to OCFS management that he will be at the event. One of the top drivers on the Super DIRTcar Tour, Britten will be looking for his first win at OCFS.

Although not an invader, Allison Ricci will be in competition with her 358 Small Block Modified. Allison looked very fast in her only OCFS appearance this year, taking a 4th place finish 2 weeks ago.

These drivers along with the rest of the OCFS regulars will be looking to add their names to the 2020 Big Block win column that so far includes Stewart Friesen, Anthony Perrego and Dillon Steuer.

Friesen won the OCFS opener with a late race pass of DIRTcar superstar Matt Sheppard. Anthony Perrego won the next two features and this past Saturday, Steuer dominated the racing with his first ever OCFS Big Block win worth a cool 5 grand.

Because this is a special format event, the normal weekly handicapping system will not be in use. Drivers will draw for their starting spots for the heats and the top finishers will be going to the redraw for their starting spot in the first 50. After the first 50, between 10-15 cars will be inverted by the luck of the draw to set the lineup for the 2nd 50.

Although the grandstands and bleachers remain closed to spectators, there are other options for the fans of OCFS to view the races. The drive in section will be open and there are additional spots available in the infield. The race cars are still being pitted outside the track and that leaves room for additional viewing in the track’s infield without blocking the view of the drive in fans. This infield viewing can give fans a new viewing angle. And if you are unable to attend in person, the Pay-Per-View is another good option.

The schedule for the event has been posted.

3:00 Pit gate opens/Modifieds draw for starting spots.
5:15 Mandatory drivers meeting in 1/2 covered grandstand.
6:00 Modifieds to the staging area.
6:15 to 6:30 Modified hot laps.
6:30-6:50 USAC Sprints hot laps.
6:50 Pre race ceremonies/National Anthem.
7:00 Modified heats 8 laps.
USAC Sprints heats 10 laps.
Modified redraw for qualified cars.
Modified Last Chance Qualifier 8 laps.
USAC Sprints “B” Main 10 laps.
1st Modified 50 Feature.
USAC Sprint “A” Main Feature 25 Laps.
2nd Modified 50 Feature.

A few random thoughts on the 2020 season at OCFS. With the new procedures at OCFS, I have to check in each week with the track office. I need to check off my name on the media list. The media list is on the same clipboard as the employee lists. As I’ve been flipping through the pages on the clipboard each week to check off my name on the list, I never realized what a large staff is required to put on an event at OCFS. And with the huge task of moving the pit area and all the other things that the speedway has to do to put on these races, their performance and dedication has been spectacular, especially with Mother Nature intervening the last two weeks. And without exception, every single one I have seen has been so cheerful and helpful through these times.

There are so many unsung people at the racetrack, the office people, sign in crew, the lineup person, the track maintenance crew, the tow truck crews and the guys working the pit gate. It’s all been extra work for all of them and they all deserve a big shout out for the great job they have been doing in the monumental difficult circumstances of 2020. Chris Larsen and Michael Gurda can be very proud of the crew that they have assembled. And a big thank you to Mr. Larsen and Mr. Gurda and to all the OCFS staff for bringing back racing in a year where 8 weeks ago, I thought there was no chance to see any in 2020.