RPW Exclusive: Thirty Drivers Solidify Starting Sports In Eastern States 200 At OCFS

Column By: JOHN DOUGLAS / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Friday night’s heat racing for the Big Block modifieds at Orange County Fair Speedway saw 30 drivers punch their ticket into the grueling 200 lap feature event on Sunday.

Brett Hearn was not in action as he was fast timer during the time trial session earlier in the day, along with Jeff Heotzler, Tim Fuller, Ryan Godown,Billy Decker and Peter Britten.

Seventh place in time trials, Danny Johnson, started on pole for the first of six heat race events. Never challenged during his heat, Johnson went on to take the win. Matt Sheppard, Andy Bachetti, Bob McGannon, and Gary Edwards transferred into Sunday’s Eastern States 200.

Jimmy Phelps commanded heat race number two in much the same way D. Johnson did, with team mate Max McLaughlin finishing second. Kyle Armstrong, Tommy Meier and Billy VanInwegen completed the top 5 transfer spots.

Ronnie Johnson’s No. 2RJ led the entire way in heat number three, with Matt Williamson, Tyler Dippel, Mike Maresca and Kyle Lowitt each transferred into the main event on Sunday.

The fourth heat race saw a bit more action as Matt Janiak took the win over Rick Laubach, but Jessica Friesen moved up to the third position. Matt Hitchcock and Tyler Jashembowski also transferred to the feature.

Anthony Pereggo took the win in heat race number five, with Billy Pauch Jr., Marc Johnson, Chris Shultz and Brian Krummel making up the list of drivers moving on to Sunday’s 200 lap event.

The sixth and final heat race was won by Craig Mitchell. Stewart Friesen tried to catch the driver of the No. 93X but to no avail. Friesen finished second, with Mike Mahaney, Jimmy Horton and Danny Creeden as the final drivers to slot into the 200 lap Eastern States Weekend main event.

Sunday’s racing action for the Eastern States 200 will begin with driver introductions at 2:30pm, followed by the green flag.