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Storied History: New Yorker Tradition Dates Back to 1963 at Utica-Rome

VERNON, NY – A storied history.

The New Yorker, first contested at Utica-Rome Speedway in 1963, takes place this Sunday, Sept. 1 at the Home of Heroes featuring a fan-pleasing doubleheader of Modifieds and Sprint Cars.

The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Modifieds and Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars double headline the 2024 edition on Labor Day Weekend at the Home of Heroes.

STSS Modifieds compete for 50 laps and a $10,000 winner’s share in Round No. 10 of the River Valley Builders North Region, while the lightning-fast 360 Sprint Cars take part in a 25-lap, $2,000-to-win event.

Sprint Cars join Modifieds on the New Yorker program for the first time since 2021.

First contested in 1963, the New Yorker has been a staple on the Utica-Rome schedule.

Current-day Modified kingpins Stewart Friesen and Matt Sheppard each have four victories in the event.

New Jersey icon Billy Pauch, Bobby Varin, inaugural winner Lou Lazzaro and Richie Evans each have three New Yorker wins.

Ed Flemke is the only two-time winner, with Bill Wimble, Dale Planck, Geoff Bodine, Jean Paul Cabana, Larry Wight, Maynard Troyer, Rene Charland and Steve Paine each winning a single event.

STSS Modified competitors continue their quest for the River Valley Builders North Region title fight. Stewart Friesen leads Matt Sheppard by just 21 points, with Mat Williamson, Jack Lehner and Anthony Perrego completing the top five.

Complete standings can be found on the series website: https://www.shorttracksuperseries.com/standings/

Joining STSS Modifieds and Sprint Cars on the docket are Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $30. Seniors (ages 65 and above) pay $28. Kids 11 and under are FREE.

Pit admission is $45 (Non-Member), $40 (Member), $10 Kids (ages 6-12) and Children ages 5 and under are FREE.

The event will be streamed LIVE on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv).

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.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, check out ‘Short Track Super Series’ on Facebook, @ShortTrack_SS on Twitter or @ShortTrackSS on Instagram.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by Bob Hilbert Sportswear, FloRacing, American Racer, Lias Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, BDR Speed, NJ Quality Drywall, River Valley Builders, Ollie’s, Penske Racing Shocks, Saint Lawrence Radiology, Capitol Custom Trailers & Coaches, Bicknell Racing Products, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Madsen Overhead Doors, Belmont’s Garage, Wegner Automotive, DIG Race Products, ATL, Dirt Draft, Swagger Factory Apparel, F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Algonkin Motel LLC, Beyea Custom Headers, Design for Vision, Sunglass Central, Dirt Track Digest TV, DKM Fabrication, EIBACH, Fastline Performance, Flach Performance Products, Henry’s Headers & Exhaust Systems, JK Signworks, JLR Technologies, Dave Prime Jr. MAC Tools, PEM Engineering, Schultz Racing Fuel Cells, Superior Remodeling, TV 12 Racing Products, VAHLCO Wheels & Wilwood Disc Brakes.

'New Yorker' Event Wins:
4 - Matt Sheppard & Stewart Friesen
3 - Billy Pauch, Bobby Varin, Lou Lazzaro & Richie Evans
2 - Ed Flemke
1 - Bill Wimble, Dale Planck, Geoff Bodine, Jean Paul Cabana, Larry Wight, Maynard Troyer, Rene Charland & Steve Paine

'New Yorker' Event Winners (By Year):
1963: Lou Lazzaro (9/1)
1964: Ed Flemke (9/6)
1965: Rene Charland (9/5)
1966: Bill Wimble (9/11)
1967: Jean Paul Cabana (9/3)
1968: Lou Lazzaro (9/1)
1969: Lou Lazzaro (9/1)
1970: Ed Flemke (9/6)
1971: Richie Evans (9/5)
1972: Richie Evans (9/5)
1973: Maynard Troyer (9/2)
1974: Geoff Bodine (8/30)
1978: Richie Evans (9/3)
1990: Billy Pauch (9/16)
1991: Billy Pauch (9/22)
1992: Dale Planck (9/20)
1993: Billy Pauch (9/19)
2007: Stewart Friesen (9/16)
2008: Bobby Varin (9/13)
2009: Steve Paine (9/12)
2010: Bobby Varin (9/11)
2011: Bobby Varin (9/10)
2012: Rain (9/8)
2013: Rain (9/2)
2014: Larry Wight (9/1)
2015: Matt Sheppard (9/7)
2016: Matt Sheppard (9/11)
2017: Stewart Friesen (7/2)
2018: Matt Sheppard (5/13)
2019: Rain (9/1)
2021: Stewart Friesen (9/6)
2022: Stewart Friesen (9/4)
2023: Matt Sheppard (9/3)

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