Richie Coy- Modified Driver -2001 Article

By Robin  Ervin

Ringwood NJ. racer Richie Coy started racing in 1992 when he was 19 years old in the American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association (ATQMRA). Coy Racing was formed at the same time. His first chassis was a sister to the one that Joey Paine drove to a TQ championship that year. In 1993 ^Coy finished third in points. He then drove for famed TQ owner George Ravashaw for two seasons in 95—96.

Coming from a famous racing family, Coy has a fountain of knowledge and experience at his fingertips. He gets most of his advice from his racing idol, his father Johnny Coy Jr “We bounce ideas off each other,” said Coy. “If he thinks I’m doing something wrong or not doing something right he lets me know.” A1though, his father no longer acts as spotter for him, he is still on the radio during races to offer advice if needed. Chief mechanic Jim Wills now is the team’s spotter.

While Coy thinks it’s great to go into racing hall of fames and museums to see all the stuff that his father, uncle and grandfather did, he plans to make his own mark on the racing world. Whereas the rest of his family is steeped in Midget racing history, Richie is aiming to make a mark in Modified and stock car racing. “No one in my family has stuck to stock Cars as much as I have,” said Coy. “As far as feeling the pressure of his family’s legacy he says. “On a day-to-day basis, I don’t much think of it really. But you know, you can’t help thinking, grandpa did this on such and such a day in 1948 and here I an, still racing today. Its neat to have that heritage and to be able to go to any race track in the Northeast and have people know the name Coy, whether its because of my dad, my uncle, or my grandpa.”

Coy doesn’t have a favorite track; he just loves to race. “1 like short track racing the best.” said Coy. “Also real driver tracks like Chumung, Pocono Mountain, Speedway and New Smyrna (in Fla) ’ He’s also fond of Wall stadium because that was where he got one of his first career wins, while racing TQ’s.

His first career win came in a TQ at Waterford, Conn, It was the first time that TQ’s had raced at that track in years, so the track held an exhibition race the night before. Coy and another car did an exhibition match race for the Saturday night crowd, which turned into an, extra practice session for them. After the match race was over, the team realized that they would need a different gear to be competitive in the next day’s race. So they changed the gear and put four new tires on. Coy led 24 laps of the 23-lap race and almost lapped the entire field. “Right off the bat I got the lead and that was that,” said Coy.” was so nervous; I don’t think I could have dealt with any cautions. However, the most memorable moment of the day came when Mom and Dad greeted me in victory lane. Not only was it my first win, it was their first win as car Owners.”

Coy was a regular at Flemington Speedway from 1997-2000, driving his yellow No.12 Late Model. He came close to winning in ‘99 a couple of times before achieving his first win at that track on Memorial Day weekend in 2000. That win meant a lot to Coy, because it was one of the few tracks on which all three Coys had won. A second win followed a short time later in the season

Coy has taken that momentum and moved up to asphalt Modifieds. So far, Coy has put together a series of strong runs at Chumung Speedrome in his yellow and purple No. 14 Modified in his rookie year. It looks like Richie Coy Is well on his way to becoming a serious contender to win even’ week. Anyone interested in learning more about Coy can visit

his website at www.coyracing.com