RPW Column: Big Block Final Eight, Bike Giveaway Highlight Orange County’s July 10th Program
Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – After having it’s first rainout of the season on July 1st, the Orange County Fair Speedway is making preparations for it’s first of two scheduled four division shows on July 10th.
The United Rentals DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds will be headlining the racing card as the field for the $25,000 championship will be trimmed to the Final Eight. The H.O. Penn 358 Modifieds, the Arkel Motors Sportsman and the NAPA North East Parts Group Street Stocks will also be in racing on this action filled and busy night.
And some of the young fans who attend that night are in for a real treat. At least 20 of them, and possibly more, will be going home with shiny new bikes. A large bike giveaway by raffle has been organized by OCFS officials and Ms. OCFS 2018, Christina Contento. Christina has done a great job in 2021 in bringing back the OCFS Kids Club. And she has been working hard putting this bike giveaway together along with her Kids Club duties.
“I’m totally floored by the participation in our bike giveaway,” Christina said. “Our racing family has been so generous to allow kids to win a bike.”
And it will be another big night for the Kids Club as well.
“We are super excited for the Kids Club this week. We will have drivers doing autographs. Ms. OCFS 2021 Erika Bucksbee will be joined by her alumni to meet and greet the kids,” Christina said. “Giveaways include checkered flags, bracelets, sunglasses, tattoos, ring pops and candy. And there will be a raffle for a ride in the pace truck.”
Those who thus far have indicated that they will be participating in the bike donation are:
- Luke Fletcher/Cellular Sales Upstate
- Brian Madsen/Madsen Overhead Doors
- Tim & Rebecca Sue of Emerick Associates Inc.
- Bob and Matt Hearn/TEO Pro Car
- Keith and Chelsa Flach
- Matt Sheppard
- Max McLaughlin
- Tony and Marsha Falanga?Falanga Trucking
- Cody Higbie
- Jerry Higbie/HigFab
- Daniel Morgiewicz Jr.
- Matt Hitchcock
- Bob McGannon
- Roger Henion Jr.
- Hudson Valley P-TECH
- Joey Palazzo of Green Eyed Landscaping
- Jeff Boyer/Vitale Motorsports
- Crackers Motorsports
- Tanner VanDoren
- Jay Silvernail/Silvernail Motorsports
And Saturday’s event will also include the return of the Little Ms. OCFS Pageant. With the cancellation in March of the OCFS Motorsports Show, no pageant was held. But the time has come for a new Little Ms. OCFS to be crowned.
“We are welcoming back the Little Ms. OCFS Pageant. Individual interviews will take place at 5pm. The on stage portion and the bike raffle will take place during intermission on the stage adjacent to the 31st Lap,” Christina said.
Anyone looking to enter the Little Ms. OCFS Pageant can still do so by contacting the speedway or by getting in touch with Christina Contento via Messenger on her Facebook page.
Looking at the race for the Modified championship, Final Eight spots have been clinched by Tommy Meier, Matt Sheppard and Stewart Friesen. If one of those three drivers wins on July 10th, that would leave five spots to be filled by the point standings. If a new winner emerges, that driver would clinch a spot and four from the points will be taken.
Those who look to be in contention with their points positions are Billy Decker, Anthony Perrego, Bob McGannon, Billy VanInwegen and Tyler Boniface. Tyler Jashembowski, Craig Mitchell and Tyler Dippel are not that far out of contention. From the looks of the points, any others not mentioned will have to win their way into the Final Eight.
In the 358’s, Anthony Perrego maintains a 30 point over the new 2nd in points Tyler Boniface. Tanner VanDoren and Danny Creeden are close behind Boniface in 3rd and 4th. Jimmy Horton is 5th.
Going into last Saturday’s event, Joe Bonetti and Jeff Hulseapple were tied at the top of the Sportsman point standings. But they had way different outcomes as Bonetti went on to win the feature while Hulseapple retired early. Jared LaBagh, who has been piling up very good finishes, moved into 2nd. Jeff dropped back to 3rd, but still very much in contention. Bobby Flood is 4th and Jake Bedell is in 5th despite missing last Saturday’s racing with motor issues.
Mike Vigiletti currently controls the Street Stock points with a 22 point lead over Bob Sleight with Jim Hajkowski, Walt Henry and Ryan Modiano also in the top five.
It will be an action packed and fun night at the House Of Power on July 10th.
