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AFTON, NY – Sweet 16.
On Columbus Day weekend, the Short Track SuperNationals celebrates its 16th running at its birthplace: Afton Motorsports Park.
Launched as an affordable alternative by then Area Auto Racing News writer Brett Deyo, the “Working Man’s Race” began its decade-and-a-half legacy under the Afton leadership of Pat and Janet Jordan in October 2006, a race won appropriately by short-track ace Mike Ricci.
Fast forward to Oct. 10-11, 2025, and the event continues – rightfully back at Afton – a fairgrounds facility now operated by Ron Ford.
The Short Track SuperNationals 16th anniversary special overtakes the Village of Afton with two days of racing.
Saturday’s (Oct. 11) program is headlined by the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modifieds in a non-points-paying 50-lap, $4,000-to-win event joined by Limited Sportsman, the “Shirley Shootout” for Factory Stocks and Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series.
STSS Modifieds compete for a purse structure of more than $22,000: $4,000 to the winner, $750 for 10th and $400 to take the green flag.
Kicking off the action on Friday are the STSS Sportsman in a non-points-paying Madsen Overhead Doors Inc. North Region 25-lap, $1,500-to-win program plus the John Maynard Memorial for FWD Four Cylinders, 600cc Modifieds and STSS Modified practice rounds with two drivers transferring to the Saturday redraw based on time.
Complete weekend times and pricing have been posted on the Short Track Super Series website: https://www.shorttracksuperseries.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=1143905
STSS rules and procedures are also posted: https://www.shorttracksuperseries.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=1146359
STSS Sportsman and Modified registration is open via the My Race Pass app:
Modified: https://www.myracepass.com/series/1996/registrations/12508
Sportsman: https://www.myracepass.com/series/1996/registrations/12507
Weekend camping is available: water and electric ($100), electric only ($75) and dry camping (free). E-mail tylercoughlin393@yahoo.com to reserve a spot.
Fifteen different Modified drivers have reached “Working Man’s Race” glory in the race’s 16 editions. Only Matt Sheppard has won twice: at Afton in 2019 and then last year at Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, N.Y.
Single-event winners include Mike Ricci (2006), Kevin Hirthler (2009), Justin Holland (2010), Duane Howard (2012), Craig Hanson (2013), Shaun Walker (2014), Danny Creeden (2015), Ryan Godown (2016), Rusty Smith (2017), Andy Bachetti (2018), Max McLaughlin (2021) and Demetrios Drellos (2022).
Since its inception, the Short Track SuperNationals has run at four different venues: Afton, the now-closed Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, N.Y., Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, N.Y., and Utica-Rome.
Afton Motorsports Park is located at 46 East Main Street Afton, NY 13730 and can be found online at www.aftonmotorsportspark.net. Like “Afton Motorsports Park” on Facebook for daily updates.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on (X) or Instagram.
