Long live the Legends
Coming July 22, 2009
Coming July 22, 2009
BILL WIMBLE TO BE HONORED WITH BOOK RELEASE AND $5,000 TO WIN RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART DIRT EVENT AT
UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY
VERNON, NY- It has become an annual tradition at the Utica-Rome Speedway to honor a member of its racing past with a special high paying event and this season is no different. In a special midweek event on Wednesday July 22 at the famed Vernon oval, Bill Wimble will get his turn to be honored for his achievements at the speedway with special Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified event that will be 50 laps in length paying a hefty $5,000 to win sponsored by McCredy Motors. The Capitol Region Sprint Agency (CRSA) will also be in competition for this exciting event. Gates will open at 4 p.m. with racing set to begin at 7 p.m.
A most special part of the July 22 RoC 50 lapper will be the launch of the long-awaited autobiography of racing champion Bill Wimble, who will be autographing his book, I?LL NEVER BE LAST AGAIN, throughout the evening.
Bill Wimble is unquestionably one of the most talented ? and most popu lar ? stock car drivers ever in the state of New York. The well-spoken legend, originally a dairy farmer from Lisbon up on the St. Lawrence, took the racing world by storm in the late fifties and sixties. He was twice NASCAR National Sportsman Champion and was New York State Champ five times.
The bespectacled Wimble has always had a strong relationship with Utica-Rome Speedway. He essentially learned to drive pavement cars at the Vernon facility, which originally was a third- mile asphalt oval. He learned quickly and won the U-R points chase in 1966 and 1967. Following a near fatal mishap at Lebanon Valley in 1968, Bill served as U-R?s Chief Steward for several years before moving to Florida in the mid-seventies.
July 22 promises to be alive with memories of old-time racing. It is only fitting that the evening will be sponsored by McCredy Motors, the Sherburne car dealership that fielded the signature red, black, and white #33s that pro pelled Bill Wimble to his enviable records.
This marks the fourth straight year that Utica-Rome Speedway has honored its heritage with special events held in honor of Alex Friesen, Lou Lazzaro, Richie Evans, and now Wimble.
Brett Hearn is the current RoC Dart Dirt Modified Series point leader, leading Pat Ward, Danny Johnson, Matt Sheppard, and Stewart Friesen. Rounding out the top ten in the RoC standings is Brian Weaver, Billy VanPelt, Michael Storms, Jeff Strunk, and Joey Grammes.
The CRSA Sprints make the second appearance of the season with Jeremy Quick the victor in their May visit. CRSA point standings show Jeff VanSteenburg, Warren Alexson , Jeremy Quick, Matt Tanner, and Billy Jaycox in the top five spots.
Utica-Rome Speedway is easily found on Route 5, just east of the village of Vernon and minutes from the New York State Thruway.
The speedway office can be contacted by calling (315) 829-4557.
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