RPW Exclusive: Davie Franek Proves To Be The Best In Cole Cup At Utica-Rome

Column By: DYLAN FRIEBEL / RPW – VERNON, NY – The new Cole Cup format at Utica Rome Speedway should be here to stay. It proved to be a good thing.

The night started out as any other for the Central New York oval. They finally got a show in with the bad sunday weather that has been plaguing the area. There were 33 360 sprints on hand for the 50-Lap $5,000 to win feature that were featuring names such as Larry Wight, Lucas Wofle, and Danny Varin.

There were four heats where five would qualify out of each and a B-main where four would also qualify. It was cut throat and everyone knew it was going to be. Josh Penzisck, Jason Barney, Jonathan Preston, Matt Tanner all won their heats which means they would they would good spots for the redraw.

When the field came down for the green flag it was Dylan Westbrook lead Joe Trenca and the rest of the field into turn one. He would command the lead until lap 20, when Davie Franek tried to slide him going into one and two, as Westbrook crossed over, it left the bottom open for Danny Varin who commanded the lead for one lap until Westbrook to it back and was leading going into the Lap 25 break.

“Just going for the spur of the moment” Franek said. “You just never know, you just have to race. The next corner you could slip up and they could get back by you again, its just how this track is. We had a hell of a battle there.”

When the halfway break was over, it was once again Westbrook leading, however on a restart Westbrook did a wheelie down most of the front stretch and Franek used it to pull out in front and never looked back to capture the 2019 Cole Cup over Chuck Hebing, Matt Tanner, Larry Wight, and Shawn Donath rounded out your top 5.

“We had a really good car tonight.” Davie said. “The 10 minute break was different and our crew guys had to be on their toes with it only being so long. We did not make a lot of changes to the car there and when i saw (Dylan) Westbrook do a wheelie, i knew i had to beat him into (turn) one, once i got past him i knew i had enough wing speed nobody was really going to just drive around me. Thanks to Bill & Kim (Shea) for putting on this event. I think if this event was Saturday instead of Sunday we would have drawn more cars but i had a lot of fun tonight.’

For one June Night, Davie Franek proved he could beat the best the Northeast has to offer in 360 Sprint Car racing, and all the momentum he needs headed into ESS Speedweeks.