Roger Phelps, Billy Shantel, Sr., Jerry Holmes, and

Dave Mannise Claim Wins at New Utica-Rome

Vernon, NY- The stars and cars of the New Utica-Rome Speedway came alive once again this

past Sunday July 5th, and the action could not have been hotter. New management who did a

super job, fireworks, and racing highlighted the five star racing program.

Roger Phelps, a long time small block modified driver from Fulton, won his first modified

feature at New Utica-Rome in quite some time. Local driver Ronnie “Hot Shoes” Holmes put quite

a show on coming from the back of the pack to finish second. After Holmes, the top five looked

like Mitch Gibbs, Steve Hulsizer, and Dave House. Gibbs was running his big block modified #2G.

Big block modifieds will be racing weekly at the track, and they will be racing along with the small

blocks. The modified feature was stopped suddenly for a spectacular accident when ageless Bob

Sitterly flew out of the ballpark over the third turn wall and barrel rolled several times. Sitterly was

shaken but he was ok. His beautiful modified was badly damaged and hopefully he will return

soon.

Billy Shantel, Sr., finally shook the bad luck off and won his second ever New Utica-Rome

Speedway sportsman feature go. He started near the front and had quite a battle with a

well-running Paul Carey for the lead. Following Shantel across the line were Jim Smith, Paul

Carey, Jamie Christian, and Jack Miller.

The street stock feature event was a wild and wholly affair. 1997 Track Champ Jerry

Holmes showed the drivers the short way around and won his first NUR race of 1998. Behind

Holmes was Tom Denton, Richard “The Lionheart” Keller, Billy Knapp, and “The Blonde Bomber”

Gerry Newman.

“The Bounty Hunter” Dave Mannise did the trick once again in the pure stock division. The

race was marred by a gigantic pileup in the fourth turn on lap 14. Several cars ended up with

serious damage during the accident but everyone was ok. It was decided to call the race final at

that point, and the win was give to Mannise. Lou Levea was 2nd, Jason Rood was 3rd, Duane

Arnold 4th, and Jerry Pepper 5th.

A gigantic fireworks display topped off the evening’s events and dazzled the fans. Many

were doing the usual “ooh” and “ahh” to show how they appreciated the efforts of the fireworks

people.

This coming Sunday July 12th at New Utica-Rome is another regular show along with a

family autograph session during the intermission. It will be an open pit area for autographs, so

families and kids can get to see the stars that put the show on at New Utica-Rome. Big blocks will

be racing at NUR weekly with the small blocks. 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. Gates open

at 4pm and racing begins promptly at 6pm. No Pit License will be required, and admission to the

pits is only $15 for everyone. Admission for this Sunday and all regular shows is 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.

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.

Modifieds- Roger Phelps, Ron Holmes, Mitch Gibbs, Steve Hulsizer, Dave House, Doug Fuller,

Mike Hulsizer, Pete Taylor, Jeremy Smith, Rocky Rothwell, Rich Price, John Barker, Jr., Mike

Jacobs, Brian Murphy, Joel Thomas, Ted Lamb, Steve Way, Ed Richer, Rob Hughes, Gus

Schmidt, Bob Sitterly, Mark Schoonover

Sportsman- Billy Shantel, Sr., Jim Smith, Paul Carey, Jamie Christian, Jack Miller, Ron

Richardson, Tim Mayne, John Kinsella, Billy Trexler, Tony Buffa, Dan Yankowski, John Christian,

Criag Pritchard, Steve Davis, Willy Decker, Butch Reiter, Roger Cook, Jeff Narrow, Brian Johnson

Street Stocks- Jerry Holmes, Tom Denton, Rich Keller, Billy Knapp, Gerry Newman, Billy

Shantel, Jr., Joe Palmer, George Kiskiel, Chad Ward, Wayne Archer, Jim Normoyle, Dave

Bargabus, John Roese, Geoff VanRiper, Chris Palmer, Steve Weatherbee, Ed Kotary, Dave

Moyer, J.B. Dockstader

Pure Stocks- Dave Mannise, Lou Levea, Jason Rood, Duane Arnold, Jerry Pepper, Mike

Howe, Bruce Stanton, Mike Burke, Rick Dote, Jim Thomas, Jeff Pastorella, Herm Staats, Rick

Trexler, Steve Delano, Art Newman, Jr., Billy Gibson, Chad Ray, Jeff Thorpe, Aaron Jacobs, Dave

Meeks