Column By: MIKE TRAVERSE / RPW – MIDDLETOWN, NY – Word recently surfaced that longtime OCFS racer Jerry Morgan had passed away on July 20th.
A very competitive racer who always got the most out of whatever he was racing, Jerry was best known on the local circuit for his accomplishments in the Limited Sportsman division. But he did win a Modified feature at OCFS on June 26th, 1971.
Jerry was a 9 time winner in the Limited Sportsman at Orange County, with his wins occurring from 1975 through 1981. Amongst the cars that he won races in were the 118 of Don Lee, the Eastlake Racing M1 and the car he might be best remembered for, the potent #525 Gremlin.
Jerry set a record of consecutive Sportsman heat race wins back in the day that reached double digits. I believe that record still stands.
Jerry also picked up 2 Sportsman wins at the Nazareth Speedway, 1 each in 1971 and 1972.
He relocated to Florida many years ago where he remained involved in racing and auto repair.
R.I.P. Jerry and thanks for the memories.