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(Chemung, NY) Chemung’s rumor mill has been active once again regarding what lies ahead, when the lease between Ray and Ellen Hodge and track owner John White expires after the 2023 season. The rumors can now be put to rest, as the Hodge Promotional team was unable to come to terms for a lease to cover 2024 and beyond. “We’ll finish out what we had planned for this year, but our September 9th show will be our last as lease-holders and Promoters,” Hodge stated.
Hodge, the track’s former Race Director when White ran the Speedrome, had said he was stepping down when White announced he was going back to Saturday night racing in 2019. Hodge had said that Saturday racing prevented them from attending events with their growing children and grandchildren. Friday shows had worked for them and for other employees who also had planned to leave for the same reason.
In the weeks following those announcements, and with the rumor mill in high gear, things changed. “We talked it over, had many conversations with John, and it all came together the first week of January,” Hodge recalled. Ray and Ellen Hodge came to an agreement with John White to lease the track and they would keep it as a Friday night venue in 2019. They have honored their lease arrangement every year since 2019.
For the past five years, the track has run B-Modifieds, Super Stocks, 4 Cylinders, and Bandoleros. Hodge introduced a Hobby Stock class three years ago, and it has proven to be fun, affordable, and the fastest-growing division. Special shows, such as visits by the Race of Champions, New York Super Stocks, Limited Supermodifieds, and TQ Midgets, among others, all combined to present a variety of racing for the public.
Operations Director Jerry Sinsabaugh sought out and secured business sponsorships for the track that include billboards and other signage, plus yearly race night sponsorships. Together, Hodge and Sinsabaugh kept the facility mowed, groomed, painted, and appealing to racers and fans alike.
“Ellen and I have enjoyed working with the dedicated team we put together five years ago, most of whom are still with us,” Hodge stated. “We’ve taken pride in keeping the track alive and providing a place for racers to do what they love. But when the numbers don’t add up we just can’t be in a position to face another financial hit,” he added. “The contract we proposed to John, and the one he proposed to us are just not close. After five years, I know what the track can generate, given the unknowns of weather and the many other factors affecting the bottom line.”
The four events planned in August (4th, 11th, 19th, and 25th), and the special event on September 9th will complete their 2023 commitment and serve as the end of another era at the historic facility.
“Ellen and I thank our employees, sponsors, race teams and fans for the past five years of support,” Ray stated.
Caption: Ray and Ellen Hodge broke the news to their staff prior to Friday night’s program. Photo by Brian DeMark
