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A NEW VICTORIA 200 ERA SET TO BEGIN AT THE UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY IN 2008
VERNON, NY- In a recent agreement between former Fulton and Utica-Rome Speedway promoter Eric Kingsley, current Utica-Rome Speedway owner Gene Cole has obtained the name “Victoria 200” for use at his speedway. Currently, the event is being planned to be run on Sunday May 11, 2008, using the same purse structure as the 2007 Gates-Cole/Dart Manufacturing New Yorker 200. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
The 2008 version of the Victoria 200 at the Utica-Rome Speedway will feature a combined Big Block/Small Block Modified format with sail panels being allowed as well. Plans currently have at least $10,000 going to the victor with a huge $1,000 being paid to start the event. Full rules will be released at a later date. Dart Manufacturing will be a major sponsor in the Victoria 200, as well as the New Yorker 200, in 2008.
For 22 years, the Victoria 200 has been run at the Fulton Speedway in honor of Victoria Benway, the late wife of Fulton Speedway owner Millard “Bub” Benway. Started in 1986 by Kingsley and Benway, the “Vic” has become a “must see” race event in the Fall for races fans throughout the Northeast, and now Utica-Rome Speedway hopes to carry on that tradition by making it a destination event for fans in the early part of the racing season.
The connection Benway and Utica-Rome Speedway is a strong one. Benway leased the idle Utica -Rome Speedway in 1989, then known as the New Venture Speedway. Benway teamed with niece Gisele and husband Eric Kingsley to revive the legendary track back to life by bringing the same successful mix of classes they used at Fulton Speedway. Today, the same mix of classes still highlight the weekly racing action with the 358-Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Pure Stocks still running on Sunday evenings. Kingsley took full ownership of the track in 1992, sold it in 1995 then regained possession of it again 1998 before selling to Cole in 2002. Right up until his death in 2004, Benway would still make the trek from his Phoenix NY home to the Vernon oval at least once a week to keep tabs on the track that he helped rebuild.
More information on the 2008 season, including the Victoria 200 and New Yorker 200, will posted on www.uticaromespeedway.com as soon as they become available. The speedway office can be contacted by calling (315) 829-4557.
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