BIG FROG 104 » Automobile

Jerry Cook, Former Utica-Rome Speedway Champ, Among Nominees For NASCAR Hall of Fame [VIDEO]

Matt Herkimer — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:24:13 +0000

When the 54 voting members of the NASCAR Hall of Fame meet today they will be tasked with selecting 5 inductees for the class of 2014. There are 25 nominees to choose from including Jerry Cook, 1969 winner of the Utica-Rome Speedway Championship. Jerry will always be remembered for his rivalry with current Hall of Fame member the late Richie Evans of Rome.There are some other familiar names among those nominated.

Matt Sheppard Takes Checkered Flag in Modified Feature At Utica-Rome

Matt Herkimer — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:43:58 +0000

The weather was a little threatening but that didn't dissuade local race fans from enjoying the action at Utica-Rome Speedway. The crowd was treated to an exciting Modified Feature finish with Matt Sheppard executing a last lap pass to edge Stewart Friesen. Jeremy Vunk won the Sportsman's feature, Pete Stefanski the Pro Stocks and Frank Hyatt the Pure Stock's. Here are the full results.

Gas Prices All Over The Road

Greg Splashin' McShea — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:02:35 +0000

Like the title of Easton Corbin's new song, when you travel, you'll find that gas prices are "All Over The Road". Last week, my wife and I drove down to Washington D.C., and that meant going through New York state, Pennsylvania, Maryland and into D.C., and gas prices were like a roller coaster.

Stewart Friesen Heats Up Chilly Night At Utica-Rome With $5000 Modified Win

Matt Herkimer — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:48:11 +0000

There was definitely a touch of fall in the air last night at Utica-Rome Speedway but a hot night of racing action kept fans comfortable. Stewart Friesen came away $5000 richer thanks to his win in the Modified Feature while Claude Hutchings Jr took the Sportsman's, Tom Denton the Pro Stock's and Ricky Breed another Pure Stocks checkered flag. Check out the full results.

Drivers Who Followed Their GPS To Disaster

Matt Herkimer — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:11:50 +0000

There have been two occasions recently where I have witnessed a tractor trailer lumbering up my street, a dead end with a very limited turnaround. When I questioned the drivers as they began backing down the street they said "I was just following my GPS and it said Walmart was up here". Nope, it's one street over. He is not alone. Check out these poor souls who followed their GPS to disaster.

"Muscle Car" Comeback In Full Swing

Matt Herkimer — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:05:15 +0000

It’s been a few years now since American manufacturers decided to bring back the idea of a re-designed “muscle car” which reached a peak of popularity during the 1960′s. Ford has the Mustang, Chevrolet the Camaro and now the more recently reintroduced Dodge Challenger is moving up. WallstCheatSheet.com. reports on the encouraging sales figures. The [...]

Todd Burley Takes Modified Feature At Utica-Rome

Matt Herkimer — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:25:20 +0000

Mother Nature has certainly been kind to Utica-Rome Speedway race fans so far this season and last night was no exception. It was a great night for racing and Todd Burley took advantage of the perfect conditions to take the checkered flag in the Modified Feature. Heath Carney captured the Sportsman event, Ed Ostrander the Pro Stocks and Ricky Breed another Pure Stocks win. Check out the complete results.

The Best (Or Worst) Auto Repair Commercial Of All Time [VIDEO]

Matt Herkimer — Fri, 03 May 2013 09:12:22 +0000

The first time I saw this TV commercial for Arlen's Transmission of Burbank, California, I was struck speechless. After a second viewing I was still speechless. Laugh, I did, but wasn't sure because it was so good or not so good. Take a look and judge for yourself.

Top Five Excuses To Try and Beat A Ticket

Matt Herkimer — Wed, 01 May 2013 09:18:46 +0000

Most--if not all--of us have had the experience of seeing a flashing red light in our rear view accompanied by a loud, obnoxious siren. Even though we probably know what we did wrong our first impulse is to try and explain our way out of that inevitable ticket. USA Today reported the results of a survey asking drivers what their favorite excuse was.

Ryan Phelps and Steve Way Among Utica-Rome Winners

Matt Herkimer — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:34:22 +0000

It was a beautiful night for racing action at Utica-Rome Speedway and fans were treated to a pulse pounding evening of excitement. It was a night to remember for Ryan Phelps as he scored his first ever Modified Feature win. Steve Way took home the Race of Champions Sportsman Series checkered flag while Shawn Frost won the Pro Stock event and Ricky Breed the Pure Stocks. Check out the full results.

Utica-Rome Speedway Set For Opening Night Sunday

Matt Herkimer — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:14:26 +0000

The 52nd season of racing will kick off this Sunday at the Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon. The track crew has been working hard in difficult conditions this spring and assures race fans that they will have the oval ready to go. What can we expect to see on opening night?

Local Gas Prices Down

Greg Splashin' McShea — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:14:47 +0000

With spring here and hopefully warmer weather, many of us may be taking more trips and driving more. Finally, some good news is here about local gas prices…they’re going down. Here are the details according to our sister station, WIBX: “Ed Welsh of AAA says prices in the Utica-Rome market continue to fall. He says [...]

Utica-Rome Speedway Gearing Up For New Season

Matt Herkimer — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 10:18:23 +0000

Sure, there is still snow on the ground but the folks at the Utica-Rome Speedway have full confidence that it will be gone in a couple of weeks and are busy preparing for this season's opening night, Sunday, April 21. What can we expect on opening night?

Wintry Conditions On The NYS Thruway

Greg Splashin' McShea — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:52:32 +0000

With this last blast (hopefully) of winter weather, roads are snow covered and very slippery. But, we all do have to get places today, and if you're traveling out of town, we have the latest conditions on the New York State Thruway.

Jeff Gordon "Test Drive" Video A Hoax

Matt Herkimer — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 14:37:07 +0000

It was an internet sensation, a video of Jeff Gordon in disguise giving an unsuspecting car salesman the thrill ride of his life. The only problem was that it wasn't Jeff Gordon doing most of the driving and the unsuspecting "salesman" was an actor. It was actually a commercial uploaded to YouTube by Pepsi one of Gordon's NASCAR sponsors. What gave away the joke?

Monster Jam At Carrier Dome Today

Matt Herkimer — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 11:36:01 +0000

Grab the earplugs and head to Syracuse today as the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam roars into the Carrier Dome. It will be an afternoon and evening or ear pounding excitement as some of the biggest, baddest trucks in the land wreak destruction and thrill onlookers. Check out the lineup.

Our Biggest Driving Fears

Matt Herkimer — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 11:17:57 +0000

Driving a car or truck is second nature to most of us but that doesn't mean there aren't things that we fear when we're behind the wheel. Here, in Central New York, our driving fears usually center on weather and related road conditions but the Daily Mail reports that those aren't the only things that worry us.

Zac Brown Auctioning Off Truck For Charity

Matt Herkimer — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:45:48 +0000

Zac Brown is the latest country artist to team up with Ram Trucks to raise money for charity. Zac is auctioning off the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn that's he's been tooling around in the last three months with the proceeds going to his Camp Southern Ground charity project. He's hoping to raise as much as these country stars have done with their auctions.

Watch Out For Car Cloning [VIDEO]

Greg Splashin' McShea — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:10:14 +0000

What will they think of next? There’s a new auto crime growing known as “car cloning”. Car thieves steal your vehicles Vin number, and away they go. Here are more details according to aol.com: “Police in St. Louis say they’re seeing more incidents of “car cloning” – a process where thieves copy VIN numbers off [...]

Governor Cuomo Sets Up Gas-Gouging Hotline

Greg Splashin' McShea — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:10:56 +0000

We’re all feeling the pinch at the pump, now that the average price per gallon of gas has hit $4 in central New York. Now, Governor Cuomo has set up a gas-gouging hotline, if you suspect prices have been hiked unfairly. Here are the details from our sister station, WIBX: “Governor Andrew Cuomo is encouraging [...]