MIDDLETOWN, NY – The Ollie’s ‘Elite Series’ for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco kicks off this Saturday, April 8 at the legendary Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y.

The second ‘Elite’ season – and first with new title sponsor Ollie’s – also launches the 104th anniversary season for Orange County Fair Speedway, the legendary five-eighths-mile House of Power.

After 50 laps at the ‘Hard Clay Open’ the STSS Modified winner will receive $12,000, with $2,000 going to 10th-place and $1,000 just to take the green flag.

The ‘Hard Clay Open’ serves as both the Ollie’s ‘Elite’ opener and the first round of the River Valley Builders North Region. The ‘Elite’ opener at Md.’s Hagerstown Speedway was postponed by weather in March.

Last week, Ollie’s – America’s largest retailer of closeout merchandise and excess inventory – was announced as the ‘Elite Series’ title partner in addition to extending its ‘Cajun Region’ involvement.

Matt Sheppard of Savannah, N.Y., is the defending winner of both the Ollie’s ‘Elite Series’ and the River Valley Builders North Region. ‘Super Matt’ also won the ‘Hard Clay Open’ a year ago.

Highlights: Watch the action from last year's STSS Elite Hard Clay Open at Orange County Fair Speedway.

The ‘Hard Clay Open’ served as the very first STSS event on April 6, 2014 and has been run annually since minus two years (2020 & 2021).

Past winners include Sheppard (2022 & 2019), Stewart Friesen (2018 & 2015), Andy Bachetti (2017 & 2014) and Tommy Meier (2016).

Joining the STSS Modifieds on the program are the OCFS Crate 602 Sportsman in an accompanying $1,000-to-win non-points event.

Orange County plays host to a pair of STSS events in ’23, with the ‘Hard Clay Finale’ set for Eastern States Weekend in October.

For the ‘Hard Clay Open’ pit gates open at 3 p.m. The grandstands and drive-in open at 4:30 p.m., hot laps begin at 5:30 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $35 for Adults, $30 for Seniors and Military and Kids 12 and under are FREE. Party Tables are available at $45 per person or $180 per table (maximum four people). VIP Booth seating is $70 per person.

Pit admission is $45 (non-members) and $40 (members).

An Open Practice takes place on Friday (April 7) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. Friday and pit admission is $25. The grandstand will be open for practice, free of charge.

Complete ‘Hard Clay Open’ event information has been posted on the series website at:

Orange County Fair Speedway is located at 239 Wisner Avenue Middletown, NY 10940 and can be reached by phone at 845.342.2573, via e-mail at ocfs1@yahoo.com or info@ocfsracing.com, or on the web at www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter or Instagram.