Lebanon Valley Speedway Season Revving Up

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WEST LEBANON, N.Y. -- Sixty-three years of dirt track racing in Upstate New York is something that most national tracks can only hope for.
 
But Lebanon Valley Speedway, the legendary half-mile, high-banked, dirt oval run by Hall of Fame Promoter Howard Commander is set to start another historic year at what racers know as "The Valley of Speed."
 
After another successful 2014 campaign that saw more than $100,000 in point funds go to the division Champions, it is time once again to dig out your favorite team's T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats as the gates to Lebanon Valley are set to open again in a few short weeks.
 
The 2015 schedule of events was released a short while ago, some of its highlights are expected to huge once again this year.
 
Optimistically, two warm-up nights are set for Saturday April 11 and April 18, before the 63rd Season Opener set for April 25 presented by L&M Motors and Sayer’s Auto Wrecking. Though all weekly divisions will be on tap, the marquee Big Block Modifieds will be for "Appearance Points" only since there is a DIRTcar Series Race scheduled on the same date.
 
May 2 will be the lid lifter for the Small Block Modified division, while on May 16 features the fourth annual, $2,000 to win Andrew Sherman Sportsman Cup.
 
May 30 is set for the Big Block Modified Eastern States Qualifier, while on June 6 is the third annual J.C. Flach Modified Memorial Event.
 
Midstate Vintage Modifieds return on June 13, and June 20 sees the return of the ESS Super Sprint Series and the 10th Annual Bubba Tanner 23 Lap Pro Stock Classic.
 
The first mid-week spectacular is set for Tuesday June 30 for the “Eve of Destruction”, a night full of carnage, stunts, School Bus race, Tailor race, and much more.
 
A special 4th of July Celebration will be at the Valley of Speed this year with all fireworks in the sky as well as on the track.
 
Starting Sunday July 12, it’s the annual return of Monster Jam USHRA Summer Nationals for four nights of extreme Monster Jam Action through Wednesday July 15.
 
The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series storms the high banks on Sunday, July 26, with a $1,500 to win Small Block Modified feature.
 
Then, on a special night this year, the $17,500 to Win 100 Lap Mr. DIRT Track U.S.A. Super DIRTCar Series Event along with the “King of Dirt” Sportsman Shootout on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
 
The schedule wraps up the points series for Big Block Modifieds and Pro Stocks on Saturday, Sept. 5. Then on Saturday, Sept. 12, the final night of racing and points for Small Block Mods, Sportsman, Purestock, Streetstock and 4 Cylinders.
 
See the entire 2015 Season Schedule by visiting at www.lebanonvalley.com, and click on the “Speedway."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

UPDATE: Juvenile in Custody After Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

Updated on 08252026 at noon: Pittsfield police provided an update indicating a juvenile allegedly connected to the shooting is in custody.


PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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