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EASTERN STATES WILL CAGLE MEMORIAL 200 COMBINES TRADITIONAL
RACE LIVE PITSTOPS WITH CURRENT MID-RACE BREAK FORMAT
MIDDLETOWN, NY (October 18)……..For the 2024 Eastern States 200, race director Brett Hearn introduced a
race procedure format that gave competitors the option of utilizing the 12-minute halfway break in the 200-lap
race to refuel, make adjustments, and possibly change tires, or making a traditional live action pitstop for fuel
only during an opportune caution period. Other race procedures that play into this option include: No
mandatory pitstop. Refueling may take place at any time during the race. And most significantly, no tire
changes during the first 100 laps except for flat or damaged wheel (tire and wheel subject to officials’
inspection). Cars that opt to forego the midway break will fall in line directly behind the pace truck. Cars opting
to enter the live pits during the break will return to the track in the order they were running but behind the cars
that did not pit during the break. This format will again apply during this year’s Eastern States Will Cagle
Memorial 200.
In 2024, Stewart Friesen started the 200 in 40 th position, past champion provisional, due to missing the earlier
time trials and qualifying heat races while competing in a NASCAR Truck Series event. He made a live race
pitstop before the break, stayed on the track during the break, which netted him a much improved restarting
slot for the race’s second half. And, of course, winning his fourth Eastern States 200 victory.
“If I had been in a similar position to Stew, I probably would have made the same decision,” said Hearn, the
winner of 12 Eastern States 200s, six New York State Fairground Super DIRT Week championship races, and
24 additional 200-lap races, in all victories at 13 different speedways. “We always tried to be prepared for any
situations that could come up during a race. We always had a basic plan, but with experience we learned to
be ready to change it as the race unfolded.
“After seeing how Stew won last year, I think a lot more teams will be ready to use the live pit option if they feel
it’s to their advantage,” explained Hearn.
The 64 th Annual United Rentals Eastern States Weekend concludes on Sunday, October 26, 2025, with the
Eastern States Will Cagle Memorial 200 presented by Hauser Bros., Inc. Preliminary activities that day begin
at 12:00 noon with an autograph session for the top-30 qualified drivers. Track action follows with warm ups,
Street Stock qualifying heats, the Super Last Chance 15-lap Qualifer(s) for the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds,
opening ceremonies, the 20-lap Street Stock feature, and then the oldest consecutively-run championship race
for dirt track Modifieds!
Advance tickets for the entire four-day racing extravaganza are available from the Speedway Office through
Wednesday, October 22, 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Or at the gate daily, beginning Thursday, October 23, opening
for campers and drive-in at 12:00 noon, stands at 3:00 pm.
Complete information for both competitors and spectators for the 64 th Annual United Rentals Eastern
States Weekend, October 23-26, 2025, at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York, go to
www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net and click on “Navigate to” for specific pertinent topics.
