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MIDDLETOWN, NY……It’s just over a month away and excitement is already building for the 54th Annual Eastern States Weekend, October 23-25, 2015 presented by Halmar International, WLR Construction, and Arkel Motors at the historic Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York. But the weekend’s headline race remains the Eastern States 200, the oldest consecutively-run championship event for dirt track Modified stock cars in the country. This year’s Eastern States has been enhanced by huge increases in the purses for the Big- and Small-Block races, adding to the excitement of the entire weekend.

Activity actually begins a day earlier: At 12:00 noon on Thursday, October 22 the pits open to competitors for hauler parking and inspections. Later, between 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm, the grounds will open for early arriving campers.

Racing begins on Friday, October 23. The Fairgrounds and pits open at 9:30 am, with the car inspection beginning at 10:30 am and spectator gates at 11:00 am. Following car inspections, drivers meeting, and draw, on-track practice for time trials for the Big-Block Modified and Sportsman division and a hot lap session for the Small-Block Modifieds begins at 1:00 pm. After time trials are complete, Sportsman heats precede Modified heats, Sportsman consolation races, and the Sportsman and Modified Dashes for Cash.

Friday’s Sportsman 50-lap feature race caps off the day’s racing.

Saturday, October 24 the racing is virtually non-stop with the Small Block Modified and 305 Sprint Cars the featured divisions. The Fairgrounds and pits open at 8:00 am with the spectator gates at 10:00 am. The drivers meeting and draw are at 11:00 am followed by hot laps for the Small Block Modifieds and 305 Sprint Cars.

After 305 Sprint Car timed hot laps and the Small Block Modified Time Trials, qualifying heat and consolation races for the two divisions will be run. In addition, the Modifieds will have a hot lap session.

The first feature race of the day will be the 25-lap 305 Sprint Car main, and then the headline 100-lap Small-Block Modified championship race.

All this leads to the Sunday, October 25 finale, the 54th Annual Eastern States 200 Championship Race for Modifieds Presented by Halmar International, WLR Construction and Arkel Motors. Following the Fairgrounds and pits opening at 8:00 am, spectator gates swing open at 9:00 am. Street Stock inspection also begins at 8:00 am, followed by the Street Stock drivers meeting at 9:15 am. On-track activities begin at 9:30 am with the annual Pit Party when all fans are invited to join the racers along the track’s historic homestretch. Cars from all Orange County’s racing divisions will be on display, and drivers will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs.

Following the Pit Party, racing gets underway with hot laps and qualifying heat and consolation races for the Street Stocks and last chance Modified consolation races. Next up will be the 25-lap Street Stock championship race. And then at 2:30 pm, it’s time for trackside ceremonies, driver introductions, and the headline Eastern States 200 for Modifieds Presented by Halmar International, WLR Construction, and Arkel Motors.

Advance tickets, camping, and parking permits are available at the Speedway Office during regular business hours, or credit card sales (Visa and MasterCard) by calling 845-342-2573. Additional information can be found at the official Orange County Fair Speedway website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

This article posted by Orange County Fair Speedway. Click here for more track information.