Comment:

I see track official Jim O’Melia in victory lane so I’d say that this is definitely Middletown’s Eastern States 200.

Joe was involved since at least the early 60’s.  I believe Dick Havens drove the 76 before Freddy jumped in.  I think that was the car he won the Grandview modified title in in 1963.  Also, if that is the Eastern States 200 that he won with the Falcon (1976), it was the “bump & run” win over Buzzie.  I remember Buzzie not being very happy about that.

Bill……I talked to Buzzie a few years ago about that last lap, and he explained to me that he had the right rear tire going flat, from contact with a lapped car, making him jump the cushion, he explained that Gerald never came close to touching him, and we both know that Gerald never raced anyone that way..Plus, my Father insisted every race be run cleanly, regardless of who was driving for him!

Mark:  I might have to look for the AARN from that week (yea I’m a pack rat & still have it).  Someone interviewed Buzzie, Hager & Gerald.  Gerald said he never touched him, Buzzie said he did & I believe Hager said he bumped him.  I do agree with you that Gerald didn’t race that way.  I remember back in 72 at Penn national (opener I think) he jumped around the track a little trying to pass Keppley and hit him pretty good, pushing him up the track.  Next lap, he waved Jimmy by and started racing him again.  Jimmy won that race.  That was certainly a great gesture of sportsmanship.  If I also remember from that day, Gerald ran up into the score tower after the feature because someone from Johnny Crawford’s pit crew was run over.