Column By: MARTY KELLY III / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – West Sand Lake, New York’s Kenny Tremont Jr. will start third in Sunday’s Eastern States 200 at Orange County Fair Speedway following his podium finish in Saturday’s race for the pole.
The 59-year-old veteran timed-trialed in 2nd fastest on Friday afternoon, and tailed only Stewart Friesen and Anthony Perrego in Saturday’s race for the pole, comprised of the six fastest time-trailers and six heat race winners.
Tremont’s history at the “Hard Clay” includes a win in the small-block portion of the Eastern States Weekend, and a best 4th place finish in the big-block event.
But 2021 is different. The rules are different. The radios are gone and a competition caution will be thrown at halfway for cars to re fuel, but teams can still use quick-fill systems and pit whenever they please.
“I think [the competition caution] doesn’t really change it much for me because you still gotta plan. If you come in at halfway, you really didn’t gain an advantage over anybody,” Tremont said. “Pitting at halfway is going to put you in the back obviously so I’m sure there’s gonna be some guys that will come in a lot earlier than that.”
How will the 1999 Super Dirt 200 winner know when to come down pit road without a radio?
“It’ll be determined when he gets in the car,” said Austin Scott, a four-year member of the 115 crew.
The crew will make the plan based on how the car feels on hot laps, but will be subject to change based on how the race is going, too.
The surface is different here in 2021, too. Still clay, but
“Thankfully the track is nice and smooth. I think they did a great job with the track… To me, I think it’s a little bit slippery so I think my challenge is just trying to get the car hooked up a little bit better,” Tremont said.
Tremont will share the second row with long-time racing compatriot, Jimmy Horton.
“Jimmy is one of the best, he’s always great to race with honestly,” he said.
Tremont will have 200 laps at the “Legendary House of Power” to try and get the job done from his third-place starting spot. Does the all-time winningest driver at the high banks have what it takes to win the Eastern States 200? We won’t find out until later on this evening, but the driver of the 115 would like to make the final race of his 2021 campaign a memorable one.