RPW Exclusive: Jayden Sleight’s Looking For Another Big Season At Accord Speedway In ’24

Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – ACCORD, NY – In what may be his last season for the foreseeable future, Jayden Sleight is looking for the successes of the 2023 season to continue in 2024.

Jayden has come quite a way in the last couple of years as he developed into one of the top racers in the Accord Speedway Pure Stock division, winning several features and ending up tied for the 2023 championship with Gary Ronk.

As he will soon be moving off to college, this may be his final year of racing.

“We are planning to race at Accord again. It may be my last season as I will be heading to college.”
Of course, he is looking forward to the upcoming season with high hopes.

“I’m hoping to pick up a couple of wins and be in contention for the championship. It’s a very competitive division, but I’m looking towards having a good season.”

It would have been hard for this 3rd generation racer to not be around racing as he grew up. His grandfather, Bob Sleight Sr., was a racer back when the OCFS Street Stock division was getting rolling in the early 80’s.

His dad, Greg Sleight, has scored over 20 wins in the OCFS Sportsman division and his uncle, Bob Sleight Jr., has multi Street Stock championships at OCFS.

There’s lots of good racing bloodlines in the Sleight racing family and Jayden is continuing the family tradition.
Jayden got his start in racing with the Slingshots.

“I got my start with the Slingshots at Accord and Oakland Valley. Had some success with a win and some top 3’s. I shared the ride with my brother.”

His most memorable moment in racing came after he had made a big mistake the week before.

“I was leading the feature and I misunderstood the flag and thought it was the checkered flag when it was in fact the white flag. Finished 6th. The next week, I was able to get that win.”

As for the 2024 season, Jayden is returning with his 2023 car with some upgrades.

“My goals for the season are to consistently finish in the top 5 and minimize driver mistakes. And I would also like to keep mechanical issues to a minimum. Our car will have a new body and some new parts for 2024.”

Jayden is not hesitant to check out what the competition is doing on the track.

“If I’m in the first heat, I try to get over to watch any other heats. I want to study what others are doing. You look for whomever is the dominant car and watch what his line is.”

Jayden is grateful for the assistance from his family to get him on the track successfully.

“I need to thank my dad and uncle. They are winning racers and they know what it takes to be successful and they have helped me achieve that. I owe it all to them.”

Sponsors for the SL8 in 2024 are Well Pump Pro, DNA Water Well Maintenance & Rehabilitation, Upstate Auto, PPM Property Management, Putnam Propane and Putnam Energy.

Crew members are Lew Strickland, Dave Werber, Justin Sleight, Bob Sleight Jr. and his parents, Greg and Kristy Sleight.

With solid family backing, Jayden Sleight continues to develop into a fine racecar driver. If 2024 is his final season for now, he has certainly made his mark in the Accord Pure Stock division the last couple of seasons.

Good luck to the team in 2024.