Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media state Sen. Daphne Jordan and Assemblymember Jake Ashby are requesting the state allow local race car drivers to practice and tune up their vehicles at Lebanon Valley Speedway. The NY on PAUSE order was issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been extended to May 15. It prohibits mass gatherings and closed all non-essential businesses statewide in response to the spread of COVID-19. Lebanon Valley Speedway, located in West Lebanon, Columbia County, hosts races during a 20-week season, from spring through early fall. It draws tens of thousands of visitors and drivers every year. The 700-acre facility has been closed since mid-March, just before the track would have opened for the preseason. Should the speedway be granted a waiver to open, admission to the track would be limited to one driver and one mechanic, and everyone would be required to wear a mask. No spectators would be permitted, and the track would limit the number of vehicles on the grounds to a maximum of 70 to 80 race cars at a time. Temperature checks would be conducted on anyone entering the facility. Jordan and Ashby requested the waiver as part of a regional reopening of the state economy, and claim the limited use of the speedway could adhere to social-distancing directives. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.