Championships On The Line Saturday At Orange County; Modifieds Push For Final 4 Berth
Story By: JOHN SNYDER / ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY – MIDDLETOWN, NY – There’s prestige and money on the line Saturday, August 28 on the final night of weekly competition for Orange County Fair Speedway’s H.O. Penn Cat Small-Block Modified drivers, as well as those competing in the Arkel Motors Sportsman division and the NAPA Northeast Parts Group Street Stock ranks.
At the conclusion of the evening’s racing, the champion driver in each of these divisions will be crowned. And in the headline United Rentals DIRTcar Big-Block Modified division, the eight drivers currently qualified for the title will be pared down to the “Final Four” who will battle on Thursday, September for the 2021 United Rentals Big-Block Modified Championship and its $25,000 award.
In the Modified division, only Stewart Friesen is already locked into the championship race. That leaves seven top competitors fighting for just three open slots. Included in this group are three-time 2021 winner at Orange County Matt Sheppard, veteran racer and 1998 Eastern States 200 victor, Billy Decker, and Anthony Perrego, the 2018 Modified champion. Also Tommy Meier, multi-time Orange County Modified titlist and 2015 Eastern States 200 winner, accomplished driver in both Modifieds and sprint cars Billy VanInwegen, young speedster Tyler Boniface, and veteran Orange County driver Bob McGannon.
The top-five drivers competing for the Small-Block Modified championship include Anthony Perrego, who has captured the title in 2017, 2019, and 2020; former Sportsman champion Tyler Boniface; Danny Creeden, a winner in both Orange County Modified divisions; teenage sensation Tanner VanDoren; and Jimmy Horton, who has three Big-Block Modified championships, a Small-Block Modified title, and two Eastern States 200 wins to his credit.
Sportsman division drivers all looking for their initial Orange County championship include Joe Benetti, Jared LaBagh, Bobby Flood, Jeff Hulseapple, and Josh Allen. While among Street Stock wheelmen, Mike Vigiletti is a three-time champion, Charlie Donald owns two championship trophies, and seeking their first title are Walt Henry, Jim Hajkowski, and Ryan Modiano.
Full programs of qualifying races leading to feature events in all four divisions will see nonstop racing action sponsored by E. Tetz and Sons, Inc., for more than 60 years a family-owned construction materials supplier for the Hudson Valley and a longtime supporter of racing at Orange County Fair Speedway.
The Orange County Fair Speedway stands and unique Drive-In section are fully open. 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 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. The Party Deck is available at $35 per person, minimum two, maximum four per table. In the Drive-In, announcements and race calls are heard over FM 107.7. Fans may purchase tickets by calling the Speedway Office at 845-342-2573. The stands and Drive-In will open at 4:00 pm. Prepaid 2020 Season Tickets will be honored. Hot Laps at 6:00 pm, racing at 7:00 pm. The 31st Lap Tavern is open for adult beverages.
