J.J. Michaels, Ron Richardson, Billy Shantel, Jr., and Dave Mannise Win at New Utica-Rome

Vernon, NY- J.J. Michaels, the driver of the Josall Roofing small block modified #31, returned to

victory lane at the New Utica-Rome Speedway this past Sunday night July 19th. Once again, it

was a five star night of racing and entertainment, which featured the Todd Seeley Stunt Show.

Seeley put on a great show with wheelies and jumps on his motorcycles and his ATV. The fans

really appreciated the efforts of Seeley, who signed autographs for a long time after his exciting

series if stunts. In addition, it was the New York State Stock Car Association Night at New

Utica-Rome. The first driver across the line in each division with a NYSSCA decal on their car

received an extra $50 courtesy of NYSSCA. For more information on NYSSCA and how to join,

check out their website at www.nyssca.com.

Paul Jensen and Ted Lamb led the modified feature event down the frontstraight to the

flags of Kenny Marshall. Sophomore driver Jeremy Smith took the lead and opened up a

commanding lead until the first yellow was brought out by a slowing John Barker, Jr. Smith and

Ted Lamb fought for the lead on the restart, but a hauling Ron “Hot Shoes” Holmes took over the

second spot from Lamb on lap 6. Gus Schmidt brought out the next caution flag for a simple spin

in the third turn on lap 9. Ron Holmes then stole the lead from Smith during a torrid battle for the

top spot. Several other yellows slowed the field over the next series of laps, but the drivers on the

move were Roger Phelps and J.J. Michaels. The turning point of the race came during a caution

flag. It was noticed that “Hot Shoes” had a right rear tire going down. It looked like he might be

able to make it as he stayed on the track for the restart. However, two laps later the yellow came

out again and Holmes was forced to pit, ending his great weekly run for the win. The battle for the

win was left for Michaels and Phelps, who had won the last two races at NUR. Michaels pulled

away on the restart and won the feature event over Phelps, who developed a motor problem on the

final lap. Third was Paul Jensen, fourth was Doug Fuller, and fifth was Mitch Gibbs. In Victory

Lane, J.J. Michaels thanked his crew, fans, sponsors, and NUR management for a “super” racing

surface. Michales also said, “I lost my brakes at lap 15 and raced the last 10 with no brakes. I was

going to pull off, but I decided not to and here we are!”

The sportsman feature event was an excellent race which saw Chittenango, NY, racer,

Ron Richardson pick up the big win in the Topstitch and Tacoma’s Restaurant #262. Behind

Richardson was high point man Tony Buffa, followed by Craig Pritchard, Dan Yankowski, and Jack

Miller.

The street stock feature event saw a first time winner grace victory lane with a huge family

and friends celebration. Eighteen year old Oneida, NY, driver Billy Shantel, Jr., in the Wilcik and

LuVullo Homes #97 took home his first ever feature win in only his second year of racing

competition. Behind Shantel was a very fast Joe Palmer, followed by freshman driver Geoff

VanRiper, “Razor” Ray Maloney, and “The Blonde Bomber” Gerry Newman. Twenty-three street

stocks started the feature which is the largest field of street stocks in quite some time at NUR.

Hopefully this will keep up to help keep this very exciting fender rubbing division alive at the area

tracks.

The pure stock feature event was taken by none other than “Mr. Pure Stock” Dave

Mannise in The Little Store #8, which was Dave’s 6th win of the 1998 season. The racing action

was halted several times for mishaps, one of which involved the popular “Junkyard” Jim Thomas

when he hit the fourth turn wall. He was ok but shaken in the accident. Mannise was followed

across the line by Chad Ray, Lou Levea, Dave Arnold, and Herm Staats.

The racing excitement continues this coming Sunday July 26th at New Utica-Rome. On

tap is a regular show along with the debut of the IMCA Modifieds at “The Fast Track.” The IMCA

Mods have proven to be a popular division at area tracks, and they will surely put on a great show

this coming Sunday. Also on the racing card this Sunday is Kiddie Rides for the kids. Many of the

racers will be taking kids for rides in their race cars out on the track. This is a very popular event

for the kids, so be sure to bring them out! Gates open this Sunday at 4pm and racing begins at

6pm. Admission prices for this show and all remaining regular shows are as follows: Adults = $9,

Seniors (62+) = $6, Students (10-14) and Military with ID = $7, and Kids (9 and under with a paid

adult, or senior) = FREE. Admission to enter the pits is $15, and no license is required.

A reminder for everyone is that big block modifieds will be racing weekly along with the

small block modifieds. Any of them are cordially invited to race at NUR, and they must go by the

DIRT rulebook, weigh 2,600 lbs, and may run Hoosier Tires.

The New Utica-Rome Speedway is located on Route 5 in beautiful Vernon, NY, right near

Vernon Downs. It is easily accessible off the New York State Thruway Exit #33. After you get off

the Thruway, turn right on Route 365 until you get to the intersection of Route 31. Turn right onto

Route 31 and continue until you get to Route 5 in Vernon. Turn left and the track is approximately

1.5 miles on the left. Free parking and camping is allowed on the spacious speedway grounds.

For more information, please call the track office at (315)-829-4557.

Notes: All the drivers praised the great track conditions at NUR. The track was very smooth,

tacky, and no holes. Many more cars were in the pit area in the modifieds and the street stocks.

Some of the notables in the modified division were Ronnie Johson (son of legendary Jack

Johnson), “The Silver Bullet” Bob Savoie, and Tony Pepacelli, each of which had big blocks.

“Jumpin” Jack was there but looking for a ride. All of those drivers are New Fonda Speedway

regulars. Also on hand was veteran racer Bobby Utter who has not raced in a while due to an

injury and Afton regular Jerry Northrup. In addition, “Razor” Ray Maloney returned to the racing

wars in his brand new street stock. Check out New Utica-Rome on the web at Doug’s NUR Page

at www.dreamscape.com/zupans/uticarome.htm.

Modifieds - 1)J.J. Michaels, 2)Roger Phelps, 3)Paul Jensen, 4)Doug Fuller, 5)Mitch Gibbs,

6)Dave House, 7)Jeremy Smith, 8)Tony Pepecelli, 9)Ted Lamb, 10)Jerry Northrup, 11)Mike

Hulsizer, 12)Pete Taylor, 13)Ronnie Johnson, 14)Rob Hughes, 15)Joel Thomas, 16)Bobby Utter,

17)Ron Holmes, 18)Rich Price, 19)Pete Nowicki, 20)Steve Way, 21)Gus Schmidt, 22)Steve

Hulsizer, 23)Bob Savoie, 24)John Barker, Jr.

Sportsman - 1)Ron Richardson, 2)Tony Buffa, 3)Craig Pritchard, 4)Dan Yankowski, 5)Jack

Miller, 6)Tim Clemons, 7)John Kinsella, 8)Billy Trexler, 9)Tim Mayne, 10)Paul Carey, 11)RJ

Gibbons, 12)Billy Shantel, Sr., 13)Steve Davis, 14)Roger Cook, 15)John Christian, 16)Jamie

Christian, 17)Butch Reiter, 18)Kevin Therrien, 19)Steve Kotary, 20)Jim Smith, 21)Willy Decker.

Street Stocks - 1)Billy Shantel, Jr., 2)Joe Palmer, 3)Geoff VanRiper, 4)Ray Maloney, 5)Gerry

Newman, 6)Jim Normoyle, 7)Jerry Holmes, 8)Wayne Archer, 9)John O’Herien, 10)Doug Murphy,

11)Dave Horning, 12)Ed Kotary, 13)Chris Palmer, 14)Andy Clement, 15)Billy Knapp, 16)Paul

Stoneburg, 17)J.B. Dockstader, 18)Dave Bargabus, 19)Tom Denton, 20)Chad Ward, 21)Rich

Keller, 22)Dave Moyer, 23)George Kiskiel.

Pure Stocks - 1)Dave Mannise, 2)Chad Ray, 3)Lou Levea, 4)Dave Arnold, 5)Herm Staats,

6)Tom Donaghue, 7)Mike Archer, 8)Jeff Pastorella, 9)Jim Thomas, 10)Alan Graham, 11)Mike

Burke, 12)Waylon Wilczek, 13)Steve Delano, 14)Aaron Jacobs, 15)Jason Rood, 16)Billy Gibson,

17)John Tanney, 18)Dave Arbes, 19)Mike Howe, 20)Jeff Thorpe, 21)Rick Dote.