The 2009 season was dubbed the "Grand Reopening" season at Bethel Motor Speedway, located in rural upstate New York. The track - formerly known by such names as Sullivan County Speedway, Kauneonga Speedway, and White Lake Speedway, among others - had closed suddenly during the 2006 season and remained shuttered through the entire 2007 season. In August of 2008, the gates swung open once again for a shortened season, with a new owner at the helm and big expectations for the successful return of racing to the ¼-mile asphalt track. The 2009 season was the speedway's first full season back in operation.
In advance of the new season, press releases flowed out of the speedway office, sending a loud signal that the Legends and Bandolero classes would be not only welcomed, but featured as an important division on the speedway's program. It was announced that all regular Legends events would pay $300 to win, with extended distances for both heat and feature events. No handicapping system was used, with a draw and invert used to set the field for each race, enabling visitors to come to the track without being forced to start at the rear. For Bandolero drivers, the entry fee was waived for all 2009 events.
Still, no one expected the tremendous turnout of Legends and Bandoleros that showed up at the speedway during the course of the season to compete. More than 60 different Legends drivers took part in competition at Bethel at some point in the 2009 season. Attendance was bolstered by such events as the August 1st 50-lap INEX Asphalt Nationals qualifier race; and the August 15th LegendStock 2009 event, which paid $1,500 to the winner and a total purse of $3,000. The track worked hard on promotional efforts, and many of the events hosted at the speedway drew attention on a national level. Drivers came from as far away as North Carolina, Virginia, Maine, and Minnesota to be part of the "history in the making".
LegendStock 2009, for one, was preceded by Internet radio coverage, as well as coverage in a variety of other outlets - from newspapers and magazines to an array of web sites and even television commercials aired on local cable stations. The track partnered with LegendsNation.com to provide live updates online throughout the event. North Carolina's Daniel Hemric, who had already wrapped up the 2009 INEX Asphalt Pro division championship, had the car to beat all day, posting the fastest lap times in the practice sessions and winning his heat race. He went on to win the prestigious event, taking home the $1,500 payday and guitar-shaped trophy after doing a back flip off the roof of his car in Victory Lane.
Tim Brockhouse, a Masters division competitor who made the long trip from Minnesota, had been a contender throughout the day and started the race on the pole following an invert. He led the majority of the event, but was passed by Hemric with only a few laps remaining.
"It should have been two laps shorter," Brockhouse joked after the event. Brockhouse, who also received a guitar-shaped trophy for being the highest finisher in the Masters division, played air guitar in Victory Lane along with Hemric following the race.
For the season as a whole, however, no one could come close to the success recorded by Mike Alcaro. With nine regular season wins and two wins during the season-ending "Bethel Motor Madness" weekend, Alcaro drove his way to the 2009 Legends championship at Bethel. In addition, he was the 2009 INEX Asphalt Pro division champion for his home state of New Jersey. It was Alcaro's first season in the Pro class, after finishing 5th in national Semi-Pro points and being named the INEX Asphalt Semi-Pro champion for New Jersey in 2008.
"Bethel is a great place to run Legends," Alcaro stated. "It's a short track that takes a lot of finesse to drive, and anyone who races on the track will learn a lot about short-track racing. The size is perfect for Legends racing."
Early on in the season, Alcaro was dubbed "Captain America" because of the patriotic-themed paint scheme on his primary car. After Alcaro had recorded five wins, one fan questioned through the speedway's web site if Alcaro wore a cape while driving.
Alcaro had been the Smei-Pro winner of the LegendStock 2008 event, and he capitalized on what he learned at that event to fuel his 2009 success.
"We hit on the setup early in the season," Alcaro explained. "That way, I was able to go out there each week and just concentrate on my driving. Bethel is by no means an easy track to drive, but it's one that is a lot of fun and teaches you a lot, so it was great that we could put that kind of focus on just the driving."
Young driver Joe DeGracia had a successful season as well, picking up two wins and capturing the "Rookie of the Year" title as he finished second in season points. Joe Fresco, another teenage competitor, finished third in points. Fresco was presented with an appreciation award by the speedway at their awards banquet in recognition of his attendance at every scheduled Legends race throughout the season. Masters division competitor John Hugate and Young Lions driver Raven Schrantz rounded out the top five in season points.
Quite a few interesting storylines emerged at Bethel during the course of the season. In July, for example, Johnny Demarmels slid behind the wheel of a Legends car for the first time in his life. Demarmels had been competing regularly in the track's BMS Modified class. With a long history of racing at Bethel, Demarmels jumped at the opportunity to turn some laps in yet another class. Due to a combination of luck and skill, Demarmels wound up in Victory Lane in his first-ever Legends race.
Throughout the course of the season, Bethel stressed the involvement of youngsters, and encouraged participation that involved those who are viewed as the future of short-track racing. In October, former three-time Bethel Motor Speedway Legends champion Paul Dodorico made one of his several trips to Bethel from his home on Long Island. Dodorico won the first of three segments that made up the "Bethel Motor Madness" weekend. Following the win, Dodorico went out into the stands and presented his trophy to a young fan in the stands who was wearing a shirt bearing the driver's name and car on it, and who had been cheering for the driver throughout the race. The fan, who is only six years old, has already expressed an interest in competing in the Bandolero class once he is old enough.
"That was better than any win," Dodorico commented on the child's reaction to his actions.
The depth of Bethel's dedication to fostering growth for the young drivers has been unparalleled. One of the core programs at Bethel is the Young Racers program, which is targeted to assisting young drivers as they come into racing and adjust to their roles as competitors. Bethel is currently donating a portion of proceeds from the sale of their 50th anniversary t-shirts to the program, and they are also raffling off a brand new Legends car and earmarking all of the proceeds of the raffle to the Young Racers program.
The Young Racers program aims to help young drivers both on and off the track. Veteran drivers act as mentors for the younger and less experienced competitors, helping them with many aspects, from driving advice and safety instruction to tips for setup.
As the 2009 season progressed, interest in the Bandolero division at Bethel grew. Competitors in the class were awarded with trophies following their races, and they were all recognized as part of the speedway's annual awards banquet.
Looking ahead to the 2010 season, it can only be expected that growth will continue in both the Legends and Bandolero classes. Preparations are underway at the speedway for the upcoming year, and several announcements have already been made. It was recently announced that NorthEast Legends, a new 600 Racing-authorized dealer, will serve as the track's Legends dealer for the 2010 season. In addition, Bethel announced that an agreement had been reached with speedway sponsor Jeff Bank, which will include financing for Legends and Bandolero cars.
More information about Bethel Motor Speedway and its Legends and Bandolero programs can be obtained online at www.bethelmotorspeedway.com.
