Written by Andrew Reigel

VERNON, NY – Heroes, be ready.   

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 2023 ‘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 ’23 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:

• The ‘Honoring Alex’ event for the Modifieds opens the season on Friday, April 21 with a $6,800 payday on the line in honor of late promotional visionary Alex Friesen
• A pair of visits from the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco: $6,100-to-win, $610-to-start ‘Richie Evans Remembered’ Thursday, July 20 & ‘New Yorker 50’ Sunday, Sept. 3 paying $12,000 to win and $1,000 to start
• The Tezos All-Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars return on Saturday, Aug. 19 chasing a $10,000 top prize
• The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars on three occasions (May 12, June 29 & 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

Other events to highlight:

The ‘Thunder on the Thruway’ six-race mini-series between Utica-Rome Speedway and neighboring Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway returns 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 welcomes three different groups of Sprint Cars (ESS, CRSA and All Stars) to the Route 5 oval on six occasions in the ’23 season: May 12 (ESS), June 9 (CRSA), June 29 (ESS), July 14 (CRSA), Aug. 4 (ESS) and Aug. 19 (All Stars).

Friday, May 26 brings a “fan favorite” to the Vernon half-mile facility as the Modifieds take part in twin 20-lap events.

Speaking of fans, two “$5 Friday” promotions are scheduled with $5 grandstand admission set for May 5 and June 23. The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series makes its sole stop at Utica-Rome on the June 23 date.

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.

A pair of Open Practice sessions precede the season: Friday, April 14 and Tuesday, April 18.

Weekly grandstand admission is $15 (Adults), $13 for Seniors (ages 65-plus) and Kids 11 and under are admitted FREE. There are increases for special events.

Pit admission is $35 (members) and $40 (non-members). Kids (ages 6-12) pay $10 and Children 5 and under pay $2. Increases for special events are noted on the schedule.

All race events will again be broadcast LIVE on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv) with an annual subscription. Dirt Track Digest TV will handle the production.

Regular motocross events will return to Utica-Rome in ’23, as well. Matt Edwards has taken over the motocross facility. Like “Utica Rome Motocross” on Facebook or follow @UticaRomeMX on Instagram to learn more.

Utica-Rome Speedway is located at 5591 NY-5 (Seneca Turnpike) Vernon, NY 13476. The official website is www.uticaromespeedway.com and the speedway can be reached by phone at 315.953.4097.  Like Utica-Rome Speedway on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @UR_Speedway.

Utica-Rome Speedway 2023 Schedule of Events

Gates Open: 5 p.m. – Hot Laps: 6:45 p.m. – Racing: 7:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)

Weekly Divisions: Modifieds, Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman, Next Generation GraphiX Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman & Fonda Fair Four Cylinders – Slingshots (inner oval) as noted on schedule below

Friday, April 14 – Open Practice

Gates Open: 5 p.m. – Cars on Track: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: FREE – Pit Admission: $35 (Non-Members) or $30 (Members)

Tuesday, April 18 – Open Practice

Gates Open: 5 p.m. – Cars on Track: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Grandstand Admission: FREE – Pit Admission: $35 (Non-Members) or $30 (Members)

Friday, April 21 – Season Opener: ‘Honoring Alex’ $6,800-to-win Modifieds in memory of Alex Friesen – all divisions – Points begin*

Grandstand Admission: $22 (Adults) – $20 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Friday, April 28 – All divisions plus Slingshots

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Friday, May 5 – “$5 Friday” – $5 Grandstand Admission – All divisions plus Slingshots

Grandstand Admission: $5 – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Friday, May 12 – Scenic View Campground/Christian Fabrication Night: Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $22 (Adults) – $20 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Friday, May 19 – All divisions plus Slingshots

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Saturday, May 20 – Kenny Wallace Dirt Racing Experience – Register at www.dirtracewithkenny.com (Season Passes not valid at this event) 

Friday, May 26 – Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff: Modified Twin 20s ($1,500 to win each) – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $18 (Adults) – $16 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Friday, June 2 – All divisions plus Slingshots

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $11 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Friday, June 9 – CRSA Sprint Cars plus all divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $18 (Adults) – $16 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Friday, June 16 – Clinton Collision Night: Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win) – All divisions plus Slingshots*

Grandstand Admission: $18 (Adults) – $16 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Friday, June 23 – “$5 Friday” – $5 Grandstand Admission – All divisions plus Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Racing Series

Grandstand Admission: $5 – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Thursday, June 29 – Dirt Track Digest & Broedel Energy Bill Shea Memorial: Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) Speedweek plus Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win)* (25 show-up points all divisions)

Grandstand Admission: $25 (Adults) – $23 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Friday, July 7 – All divisions plus Slingshots

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Friday, July 14 – Westmoreland Golf Club Night: CRSA Sprint Cars plus all divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $18 (Adults) – $16 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Thursday, July 20 – Broedel Energy Night: Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco ‘Richie Evans Remembered 61’ – STSS Modifieds 61 laps, $6,100 to win, $610 to start plus STSS Crate 602 Sportsman 30 laps, $2,061 to win!* (25 show-up points both divisions)

Grandstand Admission: $28 (Adults) – $26 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Friday, July 28 – Ferris Mowers Night: All divisions plus Slingshots

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Friday, August 4 – International Wire presents Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars – All divisions*

Grandstand Admission: $22 (Adults) – $20 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Friday, August 11 – Algonkin Motel & Slade Automotive Night – Modified $3,000 ‘Dog Days of Summer Special’ – All divisions plus Slingshots

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Saturday, August 19 – Scenic View Campground/Christian Fabrication & Broedel Energy present Tezos All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprint Cars plus Thunder on the Thruway Series Modifieds ($4,000 to win), Crate 602 Sportsman ($1,500 to win) & Pro Stocks ($1,000 to win)* (No track points)

Grandstand Admission: $30 (Adults) – $28 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Friday, August 25 – All divisions plus Slingshots

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Friday, September 1 – Championship Night: All divisions plus Slingshots (points end all divisions)

Grandstand Admission: $15 (Adults) – $13 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $35 (Member) or $40 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2 

Sunday, September 3 – Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco New Yorker – STSS Modifieds 50 laps, $12,000 to win plus Limited Sportsman, Pro Stocks & Slingshots*

Grandstand Admission: $30 (Adults) – $28 (Seniors) – Kids 11 and under FREE
Pit Admission: $40 (Member) or $45 (Non-Member) – Kids (ages 6-12): $10 – Children (ages 5 and under): $2

Friday, October 13-Saturday, October 15 – Garden Motorsports Inc. presents “Monster Truckz” – Visit www.monstertruckz.com to learn more (Season Passes not valid at this event)

Schedule subject to change without notice.