VERNON, N.Y. — The third season for BD Motorsports Media LLC at Utica-Rome Speedway is taking shape.
Weekly racing is set for Friday nights under the leadership of promoter Brett Deyo and general managers Jamie and Denise Page.
The “Home of Heroes” schedule of events is in place with 21 races and one weekend-long Monster Truck event promoted by Garden Motorsports Inc. of Sarasota, Fla. Weekly divisions for the upcoming season include modifieds, Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman, Next Generation GraphiX Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.
Slingshots, both All-Stars and Juniors, will compete on the inner oval on a bi-weekly agenda as noted on the schedule.
There are numerous must-see events, which begin with the season-opening, “Honoring Alex” modified race on Friday, April 21. The event will have a $6,800 payday on the line in honor of late promotional visionary Alex Friesen.
There will also be a pair of visits from the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) fueled by Sunoco, with a $6,100-to-win, $610-to-start “Richie Evans Remembered” race on July 20 and the “New Yorker 50” on Sept. 3, paying $12,000 to win and $1,000 to start.
The Tezos All-Star Circuit of Champions 410 sprint cars will return on Saturday, Aug. 19 chasing a $10,000 top prize
The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 sprint cars will appear on three occasions — May 12, June 29 and Aug. 4. The June 29 event is an ESS Speedweek event honoring the memory of former speedway promoter, car owner and fan Bill Shea who passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 31.
The “Thunder on the Thruway” six-race mini-series between Utica-Rome Speedway and neighboring Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway is making a return in the ’23 season for the modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman and Pro Stocks. The three Utica-Rome “Thunder on the Thruway” events take place on June 16, June 29 and Aug. 19.
Utica-Rome will welcome three different groups of sprint cars (ESS, CRSA and All Stars) to the Route 5 oval on six occasions: May 12 (ESS), June 9 (CRSA), June 29 (ESS), July 14 (CRSA), Aug. 4 (ESS) and Aug. 19 (All Stars). The May 26 date will bring a “fan favorite” to the Vernon half-mile facility as the modifieds take part in twin 20-lap events.
Championship Night is set for Friday, Sept. 1, as a kick-off to the “New Yorker 50,” $12,000-to-win event on Labor Day weekend.