DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat Track officials announced Thursday that this season’s New York Short Track at Weedsport (N.Y.) Speedway has been upgraded to a doubleheader weekend, adding an additional round on Friday, Aug. 13, to the previously scheduled round on Saturday, Aug. 14.
Since making its debut on the series calendar in 2018, the New York Short Track has quickly established itself as a premier event and favorite among fans, officials, and competitors alike. The fantastic facility provides thrilling race action along with a premium fan experience, which were rewarded with sellout crowds in ‘18 and ‘19.
Included on the original, pre-pandemic 2020 schedule, the newly announced doubleheader helps to make up for last year’s missed visit while also returning the ‘21 slate back up to the planned number of events at 17 following last month’s weather-related cancellation of the Texas Half-Mile.
In each of the two previous runnings of the New York Flat Track, the event served as a defining moment for the respective season’s champions.
In 2018, Jared Mees was at the absolute peak of his powers at the ⅜-mile, D-shaped oval. There he scored his ninth win in 11 races that season, completing the single-season Grand Slam in the process. The dominant victory also saw him move into a tie with the legendary Ricky Graham for fourth on the all-time wins list at 39 (a number which Mees has since increased to 54).
In 2019, Briar Bauman, came into Weedsport Speedway in need of a big night after the prior event saw him suffer a mechanical DNF, which allowed Mees to slash his hard-earned title advantage from 34 points to just 13. Rather than fold under the pressure, Bauman rebounded like a champion, storming away to a blowout victory to stretch his championship lead back out to more than a full race’s haul of points.