Utica Rome Speedway - A contest of the fastest cars
A contest of the fastest cars that has a very storied history, Utica Rome Speedway started in 1961 when it was established in an old farmland owned by Joe Lesik. It was among the earliest of tracks that was sold then converted into a horse racing facility by Vernon Downs. The long stretch is a quarter mile that was entirely covered with asphalt just how many minutes away from Route 5 New York. By the end of the year it was formed, Rene Charland was declared its first ever champion. By 1964, it was acquired by Dick Waterman together with his partner Bernie Ingersoll who managed it until February of 1979. At the finish of each period, the new proprietors always came up with a big event called, “The New Yorker 400.”
When you speak of Utica Rome Speedway, Richie Evans will never be missed out. Aside from the fact that he greatly excelled in such extreme sport who was a ninth time winner of the NASCAR Modified National Champion, it was in the very track that he first showed his prowess in driving. Aside from him, there followed several individuals who are now renowned in the field of drag racing. There is Lou “The Monk” Lazaro who was very much active at NUR in 1998 as well as Billy Wimble, Rene Charland, Maynard Troyer, Geoff Bodine and Jerry Cook.
Utica Rome Speedway was renamed to The New Venture International Speedway
Not for long, Utica Rome Speedway was converted in the winter of 1979. From the previous 1/3 mile paved circuit to a 5/8 mile dirt oval. Even with the absence of a sanction, it continued to be of use within just a year span. By 1981 up to 1982, it was managed by Fonda Speedway under a DIRT Motorsports Sanction. It was for the first time though and afterwhich, it did not make much noise for two years. In the latter part of 1984, Jack Johnson bought with him his fellow contenders, Jim Beachy and Fred Burrows. The three of them were responsible for reviving what was once considered as an already dead business.
Under the operation of Johnson, Beachy and Burrows, Utica Rome Speedway was renamed to The New Venture International Speedway. By 1985, Johnson sold his share so it was all left with Beachy and Burrows who ran it until the fall of 1987. Since they encountered a lot of dilemmas, it came to a second standstill in the fall of 1988. A year after, the property was rescued when it was sold to Milliard “Bub” Benway who partnered with his niece Gisele and husband, Eric Kingsley. They were the very persons who started “The Outlaw Circuit” which is a weekly mixture of Brewerton and Fulton. By 1982, the Kingsley family had the entire rights where they also obtained a NASCAR Winston Racing Series permit back.