A Busy Weekend of Racing PlannedfFor Utica-Rome Speedway Coming Up Highlighted by $10,000 to Win Cole Cup for 360 Sprints; Race of Champions Modifieds Also See Action in $3,000 to Win Event
VERNON, NY- Utica-Rome Speedway plans to end the summer racing season with an exciting two-day show that will feature 360 Sprints, 305 Sprints, Dirt Modifieds, Crate Sportsman, and Pro Stocks. On Saturday, September 10, the King of Dirt Sportsman and Pro Stock Series will return to the Vernon oval along with the CRSA 305 Sprints. A practice session for the 360 Sprints and Modifieds will also be held, weather permitting, for drivers looking to prepare for the following day. Then on Sunday, September 11, the rescheduled $10,000 to win 3rd Annual Cole Cup for the 360 Sprints will be joined by the Race of Champions Dirt Modifieds that will compete in the New Yorker 40, paying $3,000 to win. The Race of Champions Crate Sportsman will also see action as well in a $1,000 to win affair.
Interest has been growing over the past several weekends from competitors alike for the 3rd edition of the Cole Cup. The $10,000 top prize has gained the interest of PA Posse members Greg Hodnett, Lucas Wolfe, and Aaron Ott and as long as their weekend goes as planned, they plan on attending. According to his website, Texas driver Sam Hafertepe Jr. will also be in attendance. Add in the top drivers from the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints such as Steve Poirier, Jason Barney, Chuck Hebing, Paul Kinney, Matt Tanner, and more plus Davie Franek from the United Racing Club and the field gets more and more impressive. Add in Mark Smith and Bryan Howland plus Modified drivers Danny Varin, Bobby Varin, Larry Wight, and Mike Mahaney to the list of drivers expected with some more surprises still expected. USAC’s Chris Windom has expressed interest as has some of the Sprint Cars of New England competitors. Danny Varin won the last 360 Sprint event at the speedway, held this past Sunday as he held off Poirier to the checkered.
The New Yorker 40 for the Race of Champions Dirt Modifieds has been added to the schedule for Sunday, September 11, and with no conflicts, a strong field of cars is expected. The favorite going into the event to collect the $3,000 payday is track champion, Matt Sheppard. Runner-up in the standings, Larry Wight, will surely have something to say about that however, as he is a threat to win whenever he hits the track. Pat Ward, Mike Mahaney, Marc Johnson, Vic Coffey, Matt Hulsizer, Rob Bellinger, and Alan Johnson are just some of the track regulars that should be on hand. Like the Sprints, some surprise entrants are expected as well in the Modifieds as several teams have called with questions.
With two $1,000 to win 602 Sportsman series events on tap with both the King of Dirt and Race of Champions Series both holding events this weekend, Rocky Warner has to be the favorite to sweep both days. Whenever a larger purse event is in competition at the Utica-Rome Speedway, Warner has been in the mix to win the event. Warner won the first King of Dirt event held back in early June, and was battling with eventual winner Brad Rouse for the win in the first Race of Champions Sportsman event in July. Top Sportsman teams from the Central New York and Eastern NY are expected to be on hand for the chance at a double payday along as the Utica-Rome Speedway regulars such as track champion Matt Janczuk, Kyle Kiehn, Brent Joy, Chris Mackey, Rocco Leone, Jason Rood, Casey Williams, David Schilling, John Christian and more.
Joining the King of Dirt Sportsman Series is the King of Dirt Pro Stocks as they compete in a $750 to win main event. A huge field was on hand back in June which saw Luke Horning take the win. 36 Pro Stocks were in attendance the last time around which saw a very competitive race take place. 2016 track champion Pete Stefanski will lead the charge of Utica-Rome Speedway regulars that should include Mike Welch, Horning, Jim Normoyle, Chris Carr, Bill Knapp, Gus Hollner, Frank Hyatt, and more.
On Saturday, the 305 Sprints of CRSA will return to the Route 5 oval and with them should be another awesome night of winged Sprint Car racing. In the earlier stop by CRSA, Ed Strada III held off the furious challenges of Cory Sparks and Mark Kiser to score the win in his first ever visit to Utica-Rome Speedway.
At the conclusion of Saturday’s event, a short hot lap session is planned for the Modifieds and Sprints for anyone looking for track time in preparation for Sunday.
Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with racing set to start at 6 p.m. on both days. Full ticket information plus much more can be found at www.uticaromespeedway.com. The speedway office can be contacted by calling (315)829-4557.
Sources: John Tiff/Utica-Rome Speedway PR