FULL DAY OF RACING SET FOR THIS SUNDAY AT UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY WITH NIGHT OF LEGENDS PLUS RAIN DELAYED RACE OF CHAMPIONS FEATURE
Story By: JOHN TIFF / UTICA ROME SPEEDWAY MEDIA Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
VERNON, NY –August 12, 2016- Nearly three months ago when Utica-Rome Speedway was mired in a six-week string of rain in May, the only on track action was completed at the Vernon oval was the qualifying events for the Ferris Mowers Race of Champions Dirt Modified Series and the Gnome Cup for the Go Nuclear Late Model Series way back on May 22. While the Late Models where in the early stages of the Gnome Cup main event, the rains came and delayed the Sunoco Race Fuels sponsored program until this Sunday, August 14, setting up a huge double header.
Gates will open at 11:30 a.m. this Sunday for the cars returning to complete the May 22 program which will include the remaining 27 laps for the Go Nuclear Late Model Gnome Cup followed by the Sunoco Race Fuels “Victoria 200” 55 lap, $5,500 to win feature for the Ferris Mower Race of Champions Modifieds. A quick hot lap session will begin at 12:30 p.m. with the program kicking off at 1 p.m.
When the first portion of the program is completed, the pits and stands will be cleared, and at 3:30 p.m. a whole new program will begin when the gates reopen. The night cap will again feature the Ferris Mowers Race of Champions Modifieds as the participate in the annual Night of Legends. Honorees for the 2016 Night of Legends sponsored by Turn l, LLC. are Jerry Cook, Dick Waterman, and the late Bill Wimble. The RoC Modifieds will compete in a 60 lap affair in the evening portion of the program, paying $6,000 to win. The SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman, G&I Homes of Vernon Pro Stocks, and the Crate Late Models will also be in competition. Action will get started at 6 p.m.
Jerry Cook, a former competitor at the speedway, went on to become a six-time national NASCAR Modified Champion while being on of Richie Evans’ biggest rivals. This past January, Cook was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, joining fellow Roman and rival Evans as the only drivers that weren’t part of the premier NASCAR series to be inducted. Dick Waterman was a former owner of the Utica-Rome Speedway and was the caretaker during the tracks asphalt heyday. When Waterman owned the speedway, you never which asphalt Modified legend was going to enter the pit gates to take on the duo of Cook and Evans. Bill Wimble was another former competitor who not only competed and won at Utica-Rome Speedway, but all over the northeast as well. Wimble, although a fierce competitor, was also known for his gentle demeanor as well as his business accolades off the track. Wimble was still a fan favorite right up until his passing several months ago.
Rainchecks will be honored from May 22 for the early portion of this Sunday’s program, and those that were not in attendance can still purchase tickets at the gate for a discounted rate of $13. Prices for the second, or evening portion, are $22 general admission in the grandstands while the members are $27 and non-members are $32 for the pit area.
For more information, please log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315)829-4557. Utica-Rome Speedway can be found on Route 5 in Vernon, just minutes from the New York State Thruway.
