MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — The Ollie’s Elite Series for the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco kicks off April 8 at the legendary Orange County Fair Speedway.
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 Maryland’s Hagerstown Speedway was postponed by weather in March.
Matt Sheppard 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.
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 this season, with the Hard Clay Finale set for Eastern States Weekend in October.