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SPECIAL “RICHIE EVANS REMEMBERED” NIGHT AT UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY ON WEDNESDAY JULY PAYING $6,161.61 FOR RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIEDS VERNON , NY- The legendary Richie Evans from Rome , NY is the greatest NASCAR Modified driver of all-time who tragically lost his life in a 1985 crash at Martinsville (VA) Speedway . Evans began his racing career in 1962 at Utica-Rome Speedway in a drag car, moving to the Modifieds in 1965 winning the final event of the season. On Wednesday July 23, Utica-Rome Speedway will remember Evans as its greatest and most popular driver ever as it hosts the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Series in a special “Richie Evans Memorial” 61-lap feature event paying $6,161.61 to win. The entire evening’s events will be a fitting tribute to “The Rapid Roman” at his hometown track where it all began. Joining the Big Block/Small Block Modifieds in will be the Pro Stocks. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. When Utica-Rome Speedway was one of the premier asphalt Modified tracks in the late 60’s and 70’s, Evans collected 33 wins in a 13 year span at the track while collecting four track titles along the way. What makes Evans’ record stand out at Utica-Rome was the fact that he won against some of the stiffest competition that ever competed in the NASCAR Modified division, with names like Jerry Cook, Maynard Troyer, Geoff Bodine, Ed Flemke, Rene Charland, Bill Wimble, Lou Lazzaro, Sonny Seamon, just to name a few. Evans’ success reached out far beyond his home track as his “Big Orange 61” would be seen hauling to any track that would be staging a Modified event on the East Coast. Overall, Evans collected nearly 500 wins during his career at 38 different venues, spread across 14 states and provinces en route to his unprecedented nine NASCAR National Modified Championship, his first coming in 1973 with his final title being awarded posthumously after his tragic 1985 crash at Martinsville Speedway. Evan’s name can also be found in the record books as track champion at 11 different speedways on 26 different occasions, including three at nearby Fulton Speedway and one at Oswego Speedway. Evan though Evans’ career was cut short, he left his mark on the national racing scene that is still quite evident today. He was inducted into numerous Hall of Fames, including the National Motorsports Press Association (1986), FOAR Score (1986), International Motorsports (1988), New England Auto Racers (1998), New York Stock Car Association, and Oswego Speedway (2000). In 1999, he was named one NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers on all time and number one on NASCAR’s Modified Top 10 list. During his career, Evans was voted as NASCAR’s Modified Most Popular Driver a record nine times, an important distinction for any driver who repeatedly parks in victory lane. To celebrate the stellar career of its greatest driver, Utica-Rome Speedway will host the “Richie Evans Remembered” night with an event featuring the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Series for the Dirt Modifieds. The race distance will be 61 laps, commemorating the number made famous and used by Evans for most of his career. The Pro Stock division will also be in race action. Numerous items will be on display from Evans’ career, including cars, trophies, and apparel. The night will also carry a Happy Birthday Richie theme as ironically, July 23rd is the 67th birthday of the speedway’s fallen champion and hero. In a special pre race tribute, friends and family will help Utica-Rome Speedway pay their respects to Evans with a full color guard. All of Richie’s children are expected to be on hand to participate. The number 61 will be retired from use at the speedway in the Modified division forever, with a permanent flag which will fly above the speedway infield. The 61 is already retired on the NASCAR Modified tour and it is long overdue at Evans’ home. The race festivities will be kicked off one night earlier on Tuesday July 22 as many of Evans’ friends, fans, and family will gather one more time at the popular Evans watering hole known as “The Rusty Nail” on West Dominick Street in Rome beginning at 7pm. Both nights will be filled with great bench racing, memories, camaraderie, and Richie Evans stories. Utica-Rome Speedway is located on Route 5 in the village of Vernon , just minutes from the New York State Thruway. For more information, log on to the official website of the Vernon oval at www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315) 829-4557. |
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