Rich Eurich inducted into New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame

PINE ISLAND — Pine Island native Rich Eurich, well-known race car driver and owner of Rich's Auto Body on County Highway 1, was recently inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony was held on Jan. 23 at the Saratoga Automobile Museum and followed that evening by a banquet at the Polish Community Center in Albany.

As stated on its website, the New York State Stock Car Association is a group of area racers dedicated to the betterment of the sport through education and continued support.

NYSSCA and its predecessor, the New York State Stock Car Owners and Drivers Club, were originally created as "sounding boards" for area racers to voice opinions and to effect change at local speedways.

In announcing the honorees NYSSCA described Eurich, known primarily for driving at the Orange County Fairgrounds and, by the way, still winning races in his 60s, as currently third on the all-time big block win list at Middletown with 49 wins.

Eurich, the 1970 Orange County Fair Speedway Sportsman champ, recorded 16 small block wins there along with his modified championships in 1981, 1982 and 1988 .

He is the only driver in the history of the speedway to claim at least one feature in six different decades beginning in the 1960's.

His other career highlights include nine wins and the 1971 championship at Nazareth Raceway, Pennsylvania, as well as a popular win in the 1988 Eastern States 200 at Orange County Fair Speedway.

- Roger Gavan