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EASTERN STATES FAVORS “HOME TRACK” DRIVERS
MIDDLETOWN, NY (October 6)……..When the 47th Annual Advance Auto parts Eastern States 200 for dirt track Modified stock cars gets the green flag on Sunday, October 19, 2008 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York, drivers who call Orange County the ir “home track” will be favored to take the top prize of $20,000.
In the 46 previous running of this classic endurance race for Modified stock cars, the re have been 28 different winners---16 drivers who have raced weekly at Orange County at least one full season and 12 who can be considered “outside” invaders. But in terms of total wins, the Orange County contingent wins hands down, 33 to 13. And only one invading driver, Gerald Chamberlain in 1973 and 1976, has more than one Eastern States victory to his credit.
Fifteen previous Eastern States 200 winners are actively racing dirt track Modifieds. This impressive corps of veteran drivers have posted a total of 27 victories in the previous 46 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. In the last six races, Hearn has won four and posted a second place finish last year to defending Eastern States champion Jeff Heotzler. 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. Heotzler, Billy Decker, Bobby Varin, Chuck McKee, Jack Johnson, and Alan Johnson are expected entries for this year’s classic. And the re’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 17. There are even rumors that all-time crowd favorite Buzzie Reutimann, the 1972 winner and still actively racing in Florida, has expressed an interest in making one last stab at the big trophy. Of the challengers, Decker, Varin, Jack Johnson, Alan Johnson, Lape, and Brightbill have not raced at Orange County on a weekly basis.
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.
Heotzler won last year’s race from the back of the field, 42nd in the starting lineup, 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 Advance Auto Parts Eastern States 200.
Advance tickets for Sunday’s race, or the entire Eastern States Weekend, plus camping and parking permits are available at the Speedway Office during regular business hours or through 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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