Wellsville couple's revival of McKean County Raceway off to fast start in Smethport, Pa.
Kurt and Bonnie Stebbins aren’t ones to back away from a challenge.
The Wellsville couple signed a lease to operate the historic McKean County Raceway and put together an aggressive schedule that left them just a month to get the abandoned track prepped for an influx of nearly 100 race cars and thousands of spectators.
Those efforts culminated with the drop of the green flag Thursday night, as race fans packed the grandstands at the Smethport dirt track for the first time since 2021.
“It was a miracle, but we got it done,” said Bonnie Stebbins.
Here’s how it all came together, and what’s next for the track.
Deal to revive MCR happened quickly
Kurt and Bonnie Stebbins were uniquely suited to revive McKean County Raceway (MCR). The couple is well known in the racing community throughout New York and Pennsylvania. Kurt has competed for over a decade at Woodhull Raceway in Steuben County. He also won the Street Stock track title during his debut season at MCR in 2014.
MCR isn’t their first foray into track promotion, either. The couple run Genesee Speedway at the Genesee County Fairgrounds in Batavia, and, closer to home, they’ve owned Wellsville’s KB Speedway since 2016.
When the McKean County Fair Board put out a call looking for track promoters in 2022, friends in the racing industry urged the couple to get involved. They finally had time to check out the venue this summer and quickly decided to tackle the restoration project.
“I think we signed the lease like a week after we came and looked at the place,” Bonnie recalled. “We told the Fair Board we wanted to open in a month and they were like, ‘Really? That quick, that soon?’ We said we think it’s doable.”
New management makes changes at MCR
The couple then started checking off items on a to-do list as long as the 1/3-mile dirt oval. First, they had to fix the track itself. The deteriorating wall along the front stretch needed attention. The racing surface was then upgraded with additional clay and the track was reconfigured to create a better racing experience.
Early returns were positive Thursday night as 95 cars hit the track.
"The track was great tonight," driver Doug Ricotta said after holding off Jeremy Wonderling to win the RUSH Late Model feature.
Other improvements were aimed at the fan experience. The new promoters upgraded the track’s two kitchens, and an outdated bleacher system is being removed by the Fair Board. Additional aesthetic upgrades greeted fans eager to see racing return to MCR for the first time since the 2021 Fall Classic, some 670 days previous.
Kurt Stebbins said the couple received support from many friends in the racing community eager for the track to return to life.
“There’s something about this place. The first time we ever came over here, we said, 'This place is special,'” Bonnie recalled. “It’s a nice facility. There’s electric in the pits. The grandstands are beautiful here. They’re nice aluminum grandstands so you don’t have to replace boards constantly.
“It’s one of the nicest facilities around. It was just ran down from not being used and needed some life back in here.”
What to expect at the track
MCR is hosting six weekly classes of competition. Opening night wins went to Ricotta (RUSH Late Models), Dennis Lunger Jr. (RUSH Pro Mods), JD Chamberlain (Street Stocks), Victor Earle Jr. (Pure Stocks), DJ Williams (Mini Stocks), Brayden Williams (Kids Mini Stocks), and Jesse Isadore in a special appearance from the Sharp Mini Stocks.
Kurt Stebbins said the track draws drivers and fans from a wide geographic area who make the pilgrimage to McKean County for a night of dirt track action.
“It holds dear to a lot of people,” Kurt said.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with racing starting at 7 p.m. The action typically lasts three to four hours.
Tickets are priced at $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $10 for kids ages 8-12. Kids under 7 receive free admission with a paying adult. Pit passes are $40. A camping area is also available at the track for fans looking to extend their stay.
Bonnie Stebbins said news of the track’s return was met with “overwhelming” interest.
“From the community to the race fans, it was kind of overwhelming at first because our phones were just nonstop,” she said. “People are excited to have it back, that’s for sure.”
What’s next for McKean County Raceway
With opening night in the rearview mirror, remaining dates in 2023 include:
Aug. 24
Aug. 31
Sept. 7
Sept. 14
Sept 28.
Oct. 6-7 (Fall Classic weekend)
The track is still looking to round out its sponsorship portfolio after spending the last month getting the facility ready for action.
Kurt and Bonnie’s lease runs through the 2024 season. The couple anticipate an expanded schedule next year between 12-15 dates. MCR will likely remain a Thursday night track, they said.
“We’re excited to get through our first night, smooth out anything as needed after that and offer a great experience for drivers and fans,” said Bonnie.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Wellsville, NY couple bring racing back to Pa.'s McKean County Raceway
