$3,000 TO WIN 360 SPRINTS OPEN, RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED SERIES AND MOD LITES AT UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY TO KICK OFF HUGE WEEK OF RACING IN CENTRAL NEW YORK
Story By: JOHN TIFF / UTICA ROME SPEEDWAY MEDIA
Photos By: RACERSGUIDE.COM PHOTO STAFF
VERNON, NY- October 1, 2016- This coming Tuesday, October 4, will be the final on track event of the 2016 season at the Utica-Rome Speedway will a thrilling three division show featuring the completion of the Victoria event for the Race of Champions Dirt Modifieds, from May 22, plus a $3,000 to win 360 Sprint Car open event plus the Pro Race Car Mod Lites. Broedel Energy, which is the Official Fuel Supplier of the Utica-Rome Speedway, will present the night’s action.
Track officials are hopeful that the “Tuesday Night Thunder” program this Tuesday will finally see the conclusion of the $5,500 to win Victoria event that was originally set to be completed on May 22. On that day, qualifying was completed and a preliminary feature was on the track when rain came, ending the day’s action. An attempt was made to complete the event on Sunday, August 14, in conjunction with the annual Night of Legends program but rain again dashed all hopes of getting racing in that day. Hopes are high that the third time will be the charm, and the long range forecast supports those hopes, and the 55 lap Race of Champions main event will be completed. For drivers that were not in attendance on the original date, there will be a last chance qualifier where a minimum of four drivers will be added to the feature lineup that will pay a minimum of $250 to start. If an already qualified driver does not return, another car will be added to the field. A 30 car starting field is planned.
For the second consecutive year, the 360 Sprints will be part of the action in the special “Tuesday Night Thunder” program where they will compete in $3,000 to win and $300 to start A Main. Last season when the cars hit the track, Paul Kinney blasted around the track while setting the track record of 15.598 seconds. Stewart Friesen took home the win in the main event.
Many of the best 360 Sprint drivers are expected to attend for the curtain call in the speedway’s final event of the 2016 season. So far, Lucas Wolfe and Billy VanInwegan have stated they plan on attending to join the talent laden field. A draw will set the heat lineups with a redraw setting the top 12 in the A Main. Cole Cup technical rules will be effect.
The Pro Race Car Mod Lites will also be action as they will compete in 15 lap feature around the spacious half mile.
Admission is set at $22 for adults with military and seniors while kids 16 and under will be $5. Anyone with a ticket stub from the May 22 rainout will receive a $9 discount, making the it just $13 for the action packed show. Anyone with a pit wristband from May 22 will be admitted for free and names may be checked against the original pit sign-in sheet. Otherwise, pit admission will be $30.
Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. with racing set to begin at 7 p.m. Campers are welcome.
For more information, please log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315) 829-4557.
