The 4th Turn

~ By Tom Boggie 

C.G. Morey didn’t go to Orange County Speedway last weekend to make headlines. But as fate, or luck, would have it, he was twice in the spotlight during Eastern States Weekend.

But let’s backtrack first. Area racing fans have seen a lot of the 54-year-old Morey. The Rutland, Vt. driver has raced at Albany-Saratoga, Fonda and Lebanon Valley since climbing behind the wheel of a modified 11 years ago. He also loves to take his Crash Palace (his collision center in Rutland) modified out on the road, and has raced at Syracuse, Volusia County, Charlotte, Sharon (Pa.), Devil’s Bowl, just about anywhere you can imagine. He loves to race, and loves to race with the best.

According to Race Stat Central, he’s run 228 races in his 11-year modified career, and has never won. In fact, he’s only had four top five finishes in his career, including a third at Fonda Speedway in May 2014 (finishing behind Craig Hanson and Jeff Trombley) and a career-best fourth at Devil’s Bowl this year in the King of Dirt 358 Series C.J. Richards Memorial. That came after he bounced off the wall during time trials.

Although he’s not one of the most successful drivers around, he is one of the most generous. He’ll give you the shirt off his back … or the car out of his trailer. It’s no secret that Morey always has good equipment, including a top-notch Billy the Kid motor. And if any other driver has problems, Morey will gladly let them take out the Crash Palace No. 14.

Matt Sheppard has had a couple of stints behind the wheel of the Crash Palace car. Two years ago, he was battling for the lead on the final lap of the 100-lap 358 race during Super Dirt Week at Oswego when he ran out of fuel. Sheppard also drove the Crash Palace car to a win in the King of DIRT 358 
Series race at Utica-Speedway last year.

When a driver needs help, Morey usually comes to the rescue.

So it was no surprise when Stewart Friesen ended up behind the wheel of the Crash Palace No. 14 for the 358 race at Orange County last Saturday. Friesen had motor problems with the Halmar-sponsored car earlier in the day, then borrowed Morey’s car and went out and qualified third.

Friesen rocketed into the lead on the first lap, and led all 100 laps of the race, which paid $15,000 to win. But on the post-race weigh-in, Friesen came up 10 pounds light and was disqualified.

“Honest mistake on my part when I was figuring the weight difference,” wrote Friesen on his Facebook page. “So sorry, would have loved to win it for these guys.”

On Sunday, Morey was back in the spotlight, for all the wrong reasons. During the B-main, he was involved in a horrific accident. The field was coming down the front stretch, with Morey on the inside, and he got squeezed down even farther. The front end of the Crash Palace car slammed into the concrete barrier at the opening on pit road at full speed. Morey had to be cut out of the car, and was transported to a Middletown Hospital, where it was determined he had a broken bone in his lower back. According to reports, he won’t need surgery, which is a blessing. Although it was a horrific crash, his Bicknell chassis did its job and prevented him from being seriously injured.

Let’s hope Morey has a full recovery and resumes his racing career next season. Dirt track racing needs more people like C.G. Morey.

MORE FROM MIDDLETOWN

Although Friesen was disqualified at the end of the 358 race, he came back on Sunday and won the Eastern States 200, which paid $40,000 to win. But that disqualification did cost him a $10,000 bonus for winning both races.

Friesen pitted on lap 33 in the 200, one of the first cars to stop, topping off his fuel, but taking no tires. Crew chief Eric Mack radioed that Friesen might not have gotten enough fuel to go the distance. But because the track was slick, Friesen opted to stay out, and regained the lead for good on lap 144.

Friesen’s wife, Jessica, also made the field for the 200, and finished 12^th., She became the first woman to ever qualify for the 200.

Friesen’s disqualification gave the 358 victory to Brett Hearn, his 305^th career win at Orange County. Ironically, Hearn had been disqualified after the 358 race last year, giving the win to Friesen.

The biggest surprise Saturday was Lebanon Valley regular L.J. Lombardo finishing second, which was worth $10,000. Lombardo was driving the Frankie Harper-owned small block that he also drove to a win at the Valley in the final small block race of the year on Sept. 8.

On Sunday, Lombardo got caught up in the aftermath of Morey’s crash, and suffered two broken ribs.

Kenny Tremont Jr. finished 11^th in the 358 race and eighth in the 200; Ronnie Johnson was ninth in the 200 (he wrecked in the 358 race and finished 28^th); Marc Johnson, the 2016 modified champ at Albany-Saratoga, was sixth in the 358 race and 32^nd in the 200; and Hearn was 16^th in the 200.

Former Super DIRT Week modified winner Jimmy Horton finished 24^th in Sunday’s 200. According to an internet search, the 62-year-old Horton didn’t win a race this year, going 0-for-45.

Friesen also won the first Champions Race, a 20-lapper for past winners of the Eastern States 200. Thirteen drivers took the green flag, and Friesen added $5,000 to his weekend take.

Eastern States Weekend actually began on Thursday, with a Short Track Super Series race at Orange County. Mike Gular got the win, pocketing the top prize of $10,000, and Billy Decker was crowned the North Region champion, which was worth $12,500. Gular’s victory was his first win of the season; he won the track championship at Grandview without winning a feature.

AROUND THE TRACKS

Remember the auction that Friesen held at Albany-Saratoga Speedway for a panel off the C.D Coville tribute car he drove at the speedway earlier this year? Friesen recently presented a check for $6,100 to Crossroads Center for Children in Rotterdam. Crossroads Center for Children offers services for students with disabilities and their typically developing peers. Stewart and Jessica’s son Parker was diagnosed with autism about a year and a half ago.

Lebanon Valley Speedway will be holding its 35^th annual swap meet on Sunday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine). Over 300 vendors will be displaying items from dirt, asphalt, drags, karts and collectibles.

The third annual swap meet sponsored by Elmo’s Speed & Supply will be held at Albany-Saratoga Speedway from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. There is a $10 fee for truck vendors, and the charge is $20 for truck and trailer vendors. Vendor access will begin at 8 a.m.

But the important part, according to Chris Reckner, who is the co-owner of Elmo’s Speed & Supply with his father, Elmo, is that all proceeds will go to the Albany-Saratoga Speedway drivers’ point fund.

“I’m not taking a nickel, and Lyle [Albany-Saratoga promoter Lyle DeVore] isn’t taking any money,” Reckner said. “I’m just helping coordinate it, and put some money into the point fund.”

Although this is the third year for the swap meet, it’s the first time it’s going to be held at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

“The first year was OK, but last year, we ran out of room,” said Reckner. “We were parking cars in our neighbor’s yard and down the road. Then my father sold the body shop, so we needed another location. Lyle has concessions, he has bathrooms, and everyone knows where the speedway is.”

If you still haven’t seen enough racing, Utica-Rome Speedway will be in action Saturday, hosting “Monster Mash.” The card will feature crate sportsman, pro stocks and monster trucks. Racing will begin at 2 p.m.