New York Sprint Car Drivers Look to Defend Their Porch in July

July will see both the All Star Circuit of Champions and the World Of Outlaw Sprint cars visit the state of New York, beginning with the All Star’s visit to Ransomville Speedway for $15,000 to win on July 7^th. New York is the land of the Big Block Modified and home to some of the slickest tracks in the country. Although modifieds usually overshadow the sprint cars on a weekly basis, there is still some serious talent waiting for the big guns when they show up.  While there has been much discussion over the past few years about the PA Posse being “porch sitters” and only competing against the touring series when they visit their home tracks, one could argue that their neighbors up in New York are the true kings of the “porch”. 

When the major touring series visit New York, a few names pop up that we usually do not see at any other tracks throughout the country. Guys like Paulie Colagiovanni (who just began some traveling with the High Limit Series this year), Davie Franek, Danny Varin, Matt Farnham and modified standout Larry Wight. Many of these drivers compete in weekly 360 action with the Empire Super Sprints. New York’s shiny slick surfaces offer some of these guys a unique opportunity to use a 360 engine against the Outlaws and All Stars and still be competitive. 

Colagiovanni already has two Empire Super Sprint wins this season, winning at Utica-Rome Speedway and at Ransomville. Varin was able to capture wins at Brewertown Speedway and Utica-Rome earlier this year. Franek, who might do the most traveling of any of these guys, picked up a win back in March with USCS at Magnolia. Davie “No Panic” Franek has 3 wins to his credit in 2023. As for “Lightning” Larry Wight, he’s usually busy being one of the best big block drivers in the country but will not hesitate to pull out the sprint car when he can. 

Last year, when the World of Outlaws visited Weedsport Speedway, Colagiovanni caught the attention of the fans when he ended up on the podium in 3^rd during night one of the Empire State Challenge. In that same race, Wight was the hard charger, advancing 10 positions to finish in 7^th. Wight and Danny Varin each earned top 10 finishes on both nights of the weekend. Colagiovanni also earned the hard charger award in All Star competition at Ransomville in 2022, moving from 14^th to 8^th. 

The end of the month will feature the World of Outlaws returning to Weedsport for the Empire Challenge weekend on July 29^th and 30^th. This is the only Outlaws appearance in New York this season and you can expect the locals to show up in force. Earlier this year, we saw Matt Farnham lead the first 25 laps of the All Star A-Main at Weedsport, before getting passed by Cory Eliason on the high side. Farnham had a great battle going with Tyler Courtney on a track that resembled an ice rink. He ultimately ended up in 5^th and was followed by fellow New Yorkers Colagiovanni, Wight and Varin.  

So when the Outlaws and All Stars make their way into New York, keep your eyes peeled for some of the locals, as it would not be a surprise to see one of them on the podium or in victory lane at their home porch.