At 50, Heotzler isn't ready to call it quits By Ken Mcmillan Jeff Heotzler is well into his fourth decade of racing, and the 50-year-old from the hamlet of Wallkill is competing as well as at any point in his rich career. We asked the defending Orange County Fair Speedway big-block modified and Eastern States 200 champion about the 2007 season and his future in the sport. You won the 2007 season title without having won a single race during the regular season. In one respect, that must be very gratifying, but it must be frustrating not to win. How do you feel? "I'd rather win some races than not, of course. Naturally, financially it wasn't as good, either. In the long run, it worked out with that Eastern States victory, but if we ended the season on Labor Day we would have fallen short of our goals." Of course, you won the biggest prize of all — the Eastern States 200. Does it still seem as remarkable today as it did in October? "Yes, it does. It worked out as a Cinderella-type story. That whole weekend we were so bad up until race day. Everybody had in the back of their mind that I could win, but you never know until you get out there and do it. To start 42nd and get the win was icing on the cake." Entering the season as the track champ and Eastern States champ, does that put more pressure on you to perform in 2008? "On myself, it does, the reason being Brett Hearn is the one to beat and my car owners are pumped up. They feel we ought to be at that level. Not racing five times a week ... it's hard to go in on a Saturday night and beat the guy. I am not saying we can't and I am not saying we're not going to try. He is raising the bar quite a bit." You have won four big-block titles, three in just the past five seasons. Does this constitute a resurgence in your career? "Not necessarily a resurgence ... maybe a comfort level. I don't have to use my racing anymore as a number one source of income. I've got my son (Jeff) involved with me now and it's more of a family thing than me having to go out and win week after week. We can take our lumps and go laugh about it and mow the lawn the next day." Your have been racing alongside Jeff for several seasons. What is that like? "It really has re-energized my passion for the sport. I own his car and I have to maintain it, and how he does week after week is really in my hands on what I can give him with that race car. It's nice all week long to work side by side in the shop. We know where each other is. It's rekindled the fire a little bit." Why are you still racing? "I'd have to say right now the only reason is having my son involved. If he didn't want to do it anymore, I don't know how much more I would do it. Not having a weekend at the shore in 30 years or having a family reunion to go to — we have missed every one — (is tough)." How much longer would you like to race? "Another three years without a doubt. It may end next week. I'd be willing to go another three years or so. This way hopefully my son will have his own team by then." How would you like to be remembered in the history of OCFS? "As a nice guy, of course. Entertaining the fans every Saturday night. And hopefully I brought a little color to the sport." |
