Meier Looks to Add His Name to The Five Previous Back-to-Back Eastern States Victors!
Story By: JOHN SNYDER / OCFS MEDIA
Photos By: JANE & HARRY CELLA / RACERSGUIDE.COM
MIDDLETOWN, NY – September 27, 2016- In the 54 previous Eastern States 200 races, five drivers have posted back-to-back victories. Will there be a sixth driver joining this exclusive club on October 23 at the conclusion to the 55th annual renewal of this auto racing classic?
Tommy Meier, of Waldwick, New Jersey, won the 2015 race, and based on his capturing the track Modified division point championship a few scant weeks back, he has to be among the favorites to score a repeat win in this year’s edition of the oldest consecutively-run championship race for dirt track Modified stock cars.
Legendary driver Frankie Schneider, of Sergeantsville, New Jersey, won the first two Eastern States races, in 1962 and ’63, both contested at the original 100-lap distance. Tampa, Florida’s Will Cagle turned the trick in 1970 and ‘71, while Frank Cozze, from Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, registered his double in 1989 and ’90.
Phelps, New York resident Danny Johnson copied Cozze’s Eastern States accomplishment, winning back-to-back races in 1992 and ’93. Brett Hearn, of Sussex, New Jersey, Orange County’s all-time race winner and champion, twice has won three consecutive Eastern States 200 races, 2004-2006 and again 2012-2014.
With $35,000 going to the winner of the 2016 Eastern States 200, and a $10,000 bonus award should a driver also capture the $15,000 to-win Small-Block Modified 100 victor, all the top Northeast dirt track Modified drivers will be out to win this year’s Eastern States 200 and deny Meier his chance to become a back-to-back victor in this most glorious and historic race.
The 55th Annual Eastern States Weekend presented by Halmar International, Arkel Motors, and WLR Construction Company, the oldest continuously-run championship race weekend for dirt track Modifieds, is set for Friday through Sunday, October 21-23, 2016 at the historic Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York.
Advance ticket information and weekend schedules are available by calling the track office at 845-342-2573 during business hours, or by visiting www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.
