Chemung Gearing Up for 2022 Season
Track officials are displaying the white flag lap in preparation for the 2022 season at Chemung Speedrome. Teams can test their rides during an open practice to be held on Saturday, April 16th from 3 PM to 7 PM. Admission to the pits is $25 while fans can watch from the grandstand free of charge.
Engines roar to life for competition on Saturday, May 7th when Chemung welcomes the Race of Champions Modified Tour for their season opener. They’ll be joined that day by the Insinger Performance Super Stocks, Marion Decker Hobby Stocks, 4 Cylinders, and INEX Bandoleros. The Sunoco Modifieds, the track’s headline division, will debut in ’22 the following weekend when the track moves to its popular Friday night program, on May 13th.
This year the track is running a slightly different schedule. “We have cut back the schedule, with one week off each month,” said Promoter Ray Hodge. “Right now we’re looking at a 12 race schedule but we could add some races on at the end.”
While the track will run fewer races for its regular divisions each month, they’ll preserve popular specials from years past. They’ll also introduce some exciting new events. “We’re adding at least one Powder Puff race and a Mechanic’s race,” stated Operations Manager Jerry Sinsabaugh. “These were always popular in the past and we’re bringing them back. We’re also keeping Big Wheel races for the kids, our Fan Appreciation Night, Veterans’ Night, and kids’ rides in the cars.”
Hodge has also added a couple more, new events to the schedule. “In July we’ll host the Antique Modified Club as well as the Oswego Limited Super Modifieds. We’re really excited to have the Limited Supers here, as they’ve worked hard to expand their schedule and up their purse,” he stated.
The track’s newest division, the Marion Decker Hobby Stocks, has grown in popularity and numbers as was the hope. “This year we’re looking at a 15 to 20 car field,” Hodge stated. Toward the end of the 2021 season, the numbers in this division were on the rise, and that trend is continuing.
The business community has stepped up again this year through signage and by sponsoring race nights. Zack’s Grill will continue to run the main concession stand, but two other businesses will be present this year. “We’ll have Serendipity Ice Cream in our souvenir building, and Coaches Pizza in the pits,” Sinsabaugh added.
Two important details remain uncertain. “We’re not sure of increases in fuel and tires for competitors, but we’ll let everyone know about those prices just as soon as we clarify them,” Hodge added. Given the rising costs of everything, however, Chemung will raise the price of general admission by $1 this year.
The track is available for rentals beginning on Friday, April 15th, and again on April 23rd. Anyone interested in renting the track should contact either Ray Hodge (607-483-3468) or Jerry Sinsabaugh (607-738-8829) for dates, times, and pricing.
More information is available on the track’s Facebook page (Chemung Speedrome – Racing at the Drome), and it will be updated on the website (www.chemung-speedrome.com). “We’ll be posting all new prices and the final schedule, in detail, in both places,” Hodge explained. Hodge and Sinsabaugh are also available to answer general questions by phone at the numbers provided above.
Sources: Carol Houssock/Chemung Speedrome PR