KOD/DIRTcar East Region Opens May 14th
Story By: ROB HAZER / KING OF DIRT SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: MATT CLEMONS / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Fonda, NY.- May 1, 2017– In just two weeks time the record setting King Of Dirt Racing Series will open their season at Utica Rome Speedway in Vernon, NY kicking off a historical partnership with DIRTcar racing, as the KOD/DIRTcar East Sportsman will be joined by the KOD Pro Stocks to begin an ambitious 2017 season.
It has quickly become tradition that track owners/promoters Bill and Kim Shea host King Of Dirt Racing for the season opener and anticipation is at an all-time high for the series to kick off with the newly formed alliance with DIRTcar Racing. KOD will serve as the DIRTcar East Region tour, giving drivers who follow the tour a shot at the DIRTcar Sportsman title and those from other regions a shot at bonus points.
Last year when the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? King Of Dirt Racing Sportsman Series presented by Dean’s Electrical Service and Dodson Construction rolled into the action track of the east a Utica Rome Speedway record was broken. Previously 52 had been the tracks highest car counts in Sportsman action until 56 drivers checked in to attempt qualifying for the KOD Spring Fling.
Heat races during the record setting night were won by Cody Clark, Brad Alger, Dave Marcuccilli, Glenn Forward, and Rocky Warner. Heat races were set by the draw, however in 2017 KOD has gone to timed hot laps, which will set heat race lineups.
In the feature event Rocky Warner was victorious for his 4th career KOD Sportsman win followed by Dave Marcuccilli, Connor Cleveland, Chris Mackey, and Dave Moyer. It was the beginning of a championship season for Connor Cleveland; as he went on to claim the King Of Dirt Racing Sportsman crown.
In the Lazzaro’s Auto Body King Of Dirt Racing Pro Stock Series presented by Stone Motorsports 36 drivers attempted to qualify and thanks to the generosity of track promoter Bill Shea all would start the feature event. Heat races were won by Robbie Speed, Mike Welch, and Jay Casey.
The full-fender feature was action packed, as Luke Horning claimed the win followed by Pete Stefanski, Mike Welch, Nick Stone, and Rob Yetman rounding out the top five.
Total between the two divisions KOD Racing had 92 competitors throw down for the crown and this year promises to be just as exciting for fans, drivers, and crew members.
“When I talked with Kim and Bill they wanted to be sure to open the season at Utica and that’s kind of become a tradition now that we look forward to,” said KOD promoter Rob Hazer.
Sportsman will compete for $1,000 to win and $100 to start, while the Pro Stock division will compete for $850 to win and $50 to start. King Of Dirt Racing rules will apply for both divisions, which Sportsman are based off DIRTcar rules and Pro Stocks are Crate Motors Only. $20 entry fee for all drivers competing in KOD events.
Admission prices for the evening are $16 for adults, $13 for senior, military, or students, and kids under 16 are free. Pit admission is $27 with a license and $30 without. For more information visit www.uticaromespeedway.com.
With the schedule now set and the rules up on the website, it’s only a matter of time before a very busy season of racing gets underway for King Of Dirt Racing.
2017 KING OF DIRT RACING SMALL BLOCK MODIFIED SCHEDULE
06/13/17 Devil’s Bowl Speedway West Haven, VT 40 Laps
07/09/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 40 Laps
07/30/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 35 Laps
08/20/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 40 Laps
09/08/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 40 Laps
09/09/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 35 Laps
09/15/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 40 Laps
09/23/17 Fonda Speedway Fonda, NY 40 Laps
2017 KING OF DIRT RACING SPORTSMAN SCHEDULE (DIRTcar East Region)
05/14/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 30 Laps
05/28/17 Devil’s Bowl Speedway West Haven, VT 35 Laps
07/15/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 30 Laps
08/15/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 30 Laps
08/20/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 30 Laps
08/31/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 30 Laps
09/08/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 100 Laps
09/22/17 Fonda Speedway Fonda, NY 30 Laps
2017 KING OF DIRT RACING PRO STOCK SCHEDULE
05/14/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 30 Laps
06/02/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 30 Laps
07/07/17 Albany Saratoga Speedway Malta, NY 30 Laps
08/20/17 Utica Rome Speedway Vernon, NY 30 Laps
08/26/17 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon, NY 30 Laps
09/17/17 Devil’s Bowl Speedway West Haven, VT 29 Laps
For more information on the King Of Dirt Racing Series visit on the web at www.kingofdirtracing.com.
You can also find King Of Dirt via Twitter @kodracingseries or @kodracing.
Look for KOD also on Instagram @kingofdirtracing or on Facebook www.facebook.com/kingofdirtracing.
Follow King Of Dirt Racing Series happenings via Instagram @kingofdirtracing.
For more information on DIRTcar Racing visit www.dirtcar.com.
KING OF DIRT RACING is brought to you in part by sponsors and partners that include: Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Fonda Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Utica Rome Speedway, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, A-1 Installers, Andy’s Speed Shop, Beyea Custom Headers & Exhaust, Bicknell Racing Products, Bill McGaffin Photography, Bruno’s Towing & Recovery, Buff’s Auto Service, Burt’s Tree Service, Central NY Motorsports, Dean’s Electrical Service, DE Signs & Designs, Dirt Track Digest, DKM Fabrication, DMC Racing Products, Dodson Construction, Electric City Taxi, Elmo’s Auto Body, Elmo’s Speed Supply, Extreme Speed & Performance, Fast Axle, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Fox Racing Shocks, HICO Fabrication, Herrington Farms Inc., Hoosier Racing Tire, J-Tees Screen Printing, Lazzaro’s Auto Body, Macedon Parts Plus, Mayhem Motorsports, Moore 2 Music Entertainment, Mueller & Sons Towing/Recovery, NAPA Auto Parts Of Gloversville/Johnstown, Next Generation Roofing, PFC Brakes, R3 Graphics, Race Pro Weekly, Racers Guide, Redline Graphics, Saratoga Masonry, Simplicity Designs, Speed’s Garage, Stone Motorsports.
