VERNON, N.Y. – For the first time since 2019, the Cole Cup 360 sprint car event is back at Utica-Rome Speedway on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
The Patriot Sprint Tour event takes place during the Modern Day Outlaw program to bring down the curtain on Utica-Rome Speedway’s season.
The Cole Cup began in 2013, however, the ‘15 and ‘18 editions were cancelled due to rain. Last year, the sixth running of the race was moved to this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Davie Franek won the 2019 edition, besting Chuck Hebing and Matt Tanner. Stewart Friesen won the first two editions of the event in 2013 and ‘14. Friesen has not competed in the annual event since his 2014 triumph.
Jason Barney leads the all-time Cole Cup points through five previous events by just four points over Matt Tanner. Barney won the event in 2017 ahead of Mike Mahaney and Pennsylvania Posse member Lucas Wolfe.
Danny Varin is third on the all-time points list after missing the inaugural event back in 2013. Franek, meanwhile, sits in fourth. Larry Wight rounds out the top five in all-time Cole Cup points.
Mark Smith won the 2016 edition, his lone appearance in the Cole Cup. Smith bested Varin and Hebing, who sits sixth in the all-time points.
The event will span 30 laps and will pay $5,000-to-win.
The Patriot Sprints return to Utica-Rome for their second appearance of the season after making an appearance on Labor Day.
Paulie Colagiovanni won the event, which stood as the first Patriot Sprint Tour race at the Route 5 oval since 2006.
Chuck Hebing finished runner-up to Colagiovanni and Varin rounded out the podium.
Joining the 360 sprint cars on the Modern Day Outlaw 50 card are the big block modifieds with sail panels. The modifieds will race for 50 laps and $10,000 to win.
The crate 602 sportsman class serves as additional support, racing for 25 laps and $1,500 to win.