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PREVIOUS WINNERS FAVORED IN 46TH ANNUAL EASTERN STATES 200
MIDDLETOWN, NY (October 11)……..When the 46th Annual Eastern States 200 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event for dirt track Modified stock cars gets the green flag on Sunday, October 21 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York, one of the race’s previous winners will be favored to again take home the champion’s trophy and the $20,000 first place prize money. Thirteen previous Eastern States 200 winners are actively racing dirt track Modifieds, while a 14th, Bob McCreadie, hasn’t officially retired although he continues to recover from injuries suffered in a non-racing accident. This “baker’s dozen plus one” corps of veteran drivers have posted a total of 26 victories in the previous 45 Eastern States 200 championship race.
Brett Hearn, Orange County ’s all-time Modified champion and race winner has to be considered the favorite to win his ninth Eastern States 200. Hearn has won the last three races, and four of the last five. He’s sure to be challenged by Danny Johnson, who has taken home the gold four times. Two-time Eastern States 200 winners Jimmy Horton and Frank Cozze are likely to compete in this year’s race. They lead a long list of single Eastern States 200 victors who will be looking to move up in the record book standings. Billy Decker, Bobby Varin, Chuck McKee, Jack Johnson, and Alan Johnson are expected entries for this year’s classic. And there’s always the chance that previous winners Doug Hoffman, Dave Lape, and Kenny Brightbill will pull into the pits when practice and qualifying get underway on Friday, October 19.
The top-6 drivers in time trials will lead the field in Sunday’s race. The balance of the 44-car starting field will be made up of qualified drivers from heat and consolation races. The 200-lap grind around the five-eighths-mile Orange County “hard clay” oval includes a mandatory pitstop that’s guaranteed to shuffle the running order and add excitement to the event.
Hearn won last year’s race from an outside front row starting slot, but his 2005 victory was accomplished after starting deep in the field, 37th, proving that this race can be won from any position. That’s why as many as 80 entries can be expected for this year’s edition of the oldest continuously-run championship race for Modifieds---the 46th Annual Eastern States 200.
Advance tickets for Sunday’s race as well as the entire Eastern States Weekend 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.ocfsmotorsports.com.
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