Rain Stops Chemung Opener Again; ROC Mods on Tap This Saturday By Carol Houssock

There's no other way to say it. It sucks to lose your much-anticipated opener. All week the weekend forecast was iffy, with rain showers likely to put a real damper on things. But on Friday things changed, and it appeared all systems were "go" for a Saturday afternoon opener. By early Saturday morning, the one system that mattered most, the weather system, had changed again. Track promoter, Ray Hodge, had no choice but to cancel.

This Saturday the track welcomes the Race of Champions Modified Series for a 75-lap event. A year ago, fans watched Austin Beers dominate the event in the family-owned #9. His father, Eric, had won countless races in the familiar blue car. Austin held off Zane Zeiner in the first half of what became an Austin Beers ROC sweep at the Speedrome in '23.

The Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stocks, Gene's Automotive 4 Cylinders and JRC Cleaning Bandoleros will also hit the track on May 11th for their first races of the year. Each of those divisions has new competitors lined up to debut their cars and take on veteran racers. While three regular divisions will run that day, fans will have to wait until the first Friday night show (May 17th) to cheer on the Buckley's Automotive Modifieds and Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stocks.

Everyone is reminded that the upcoming big show on Saturday, May 11th, has a revised start time. Pits will now open at 3 PM, grandstand and practice at 5, and racing begins at 6 PM. Admission is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors ages 65+, $10 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids ages 5 and under.

For information, log on to the track's website: chemung-speedrome.com, "like" us on Facebook: Chemung Speedrome - Racing at the Drome, or call Ray Hodge, Promoter, at 607-483-3468.