Former Winners Looking for a Return to Victory Lane
Story By: JOHN SNYDER /OCFS MEDIA
Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
MIDDLETOWN, NY -October 9, 2016- Four veteran drivers who are also previous Eastern States victors and Orange County Fair Speedway Big-Block Modified point champions are looking to a return to Victory Lane in the headline Eastern States 200, Sunday, October 23 at the historic Middletown, New York five-eighths-mile “Hard Clay” race track.
The four, who compete weekly at the speedway, include 1988 winner Rich Eurich, 2007 winner Jeff Heotzler, 2009 titlist Jerry Higbie, and Tommy Meier, last year’s winner of the 200-lap grind. The entire October 21-23 55th Annual Eastern States Weekend is presented by Halmar International, WLR Construction, and Arkel Motors.
In addition to their Eastern States 200 trophies, this quartet of long-time Orange County racers own a combined total of 14 Big-Block Modified track point championships. Heotzler and Higbie top this ranking, each with four titles, while Eurich and Meier each have earned three point championships.
They will be challenged by a star-studded lineup of Big-Block Modified drivers from the entire Northeast dirt track Modified circuit as well as the other highly talented Orange County weekly competitors for the trophy and top prize money in this prestigious event. With $35,000 going to the winner—and $500 just for making the starting field—this matches the 2015 purse, the richest two races in Eastern States 200 Championship history.
One Orange County driver who has yet to taste Eastern States 200 victory champagne is two-time Modified point champion Tim Hindley. Hindley, who returned to Modified action late in the season, finished third in both the 2013 and 2014 Eastern States 200s. He would like nothing more than to add his name to this honor role of outstanding Modified competitors.
Time trials and qualifying races for the Eastern States 200 will take place on Friday, October 21, with last chance consolation races set for Sunday prior to the 2:30 pm start of the 200. Also on Sunday, the Street Stocks will compete in qualifying races leading to their 25-lap Eastern States championship race.
On Eastern States Sunday, the fairgrounds and pits open at 8:00 am, with spectator gates opening at 9:00 am. On-track activities begin at 9:30 am with the annual Pit Party when all fans are invited to join the racers along the track’s historic homestretch. Cars from all Orange County’s racing divisions will be on display, and drivers will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs. Following the Pit Party, hot laps and racing promptly gets under way.
Advance tickets for Sunday or the entire Eastern States Weekend as well as camping and parking permits are available at the Speedway Office during regular business hours, or credit card sales (Visa and MasterCard) by calling 845-342-2573. Additional information can be found at the official Orange County Fair Speedway website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.
