News Director 
Story By: JOHN SNYDER / ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY – MIDDLETOWN, NY – As the oldest post-season championship race for Northeast dirt track Modifieds, Eastern States Weekend and its headline event the United Rentals Eastern States 200, Thursday-Sunday, October 24-27, 2024, is steeped in tradition.
In keeping with that glorious auto racing history, while acknowledging the current status of the Modified division, co-promoters Doug Dulgarian and Brett Hearn have announced the racing format for this year championship race.
The new format is intended to satisfy the needs of the fans as well as accommodate the current status of Modified racing in general. In 2024, the United Rentals Eastern States 200 will be the only race with live refueling pit stops where all laps count.
The race in 2024 will satisfy the needs of the fans who enjoy seeing the “deck get shuffled” during the race as well as varying strategies and live pit stop action.
*There is no mandatory pit stop.
*There will be no use of two-way radio communication between the driver and pit crew. One-way communication from the Race Director only (frequency 454.00).
*Refueling will be allowed at any point in the race.
*During the first 100 laps of the race tire changes will not be allowed with the exception of a flat or damaged wheel. Wheel and tire must be held and presented for officials’ inspection. A one-lap penalty will be imposed for a tire change infraction.
*There will be a 12-minute break at the completion of lap 100. At this time drivers will have the option to enter the Hot Pits for service, or to stay on the track behind the Pace Truck. Cars that remain on the track cannot be serviced in any way, including the driver. Cars that choose to go to the Hot Pits will be allowed to refuel and/or make any changes they can perform in the allotted 12-minute period.
*Upon completion of the 12-minute break cars exiting the pit area will fall in behind cars that remained on the track. Cars that chose to make pit stops will be aligned according to the running order at the completion of 100 laps. Cars must roll off at the end of the break period under their own power. If assistance is needed, the penalty is to the end of the longest line.
*On all restarts, lapped cars will fall in behind lead lap cars. There will be a wave around for the first car one lap down during each caution period with the exception of consecutive caution periods.
*All laps count during the United Rentals Eastern States 200, with the exception of laps used to secure the field at the halfway break and the laps before returning to green in the same period. In the case of a RED flag, laps continue upon restarting the race. The last ten laps will be run under green. The race may end with a green-white-checker sequence.
*All restarts will be double file to the finish. Exceptions would be for consecutive caution periods or safety concerns at the discretion of the Race Director.
*Live pit stops made during the second half of the race are not limited in anyway.
*The field will be 40 car *Two provisionals will be offered: 1. Fastest time trailer who fails to qualify; 2. Champions Provisional (offered to the most current former Eastern States 200 winner). Driver must be registered and attempt to qualify.
