Following uncertainty, two Lancaster-area businessmen Vito Antonicelli and Mike Swinarski have purchased Lancaster Speedway in New York. The pair will continue to operate the 77-acre property as a motorsports venue in addition to bringing in additional events in 2019.

The new owners have renamed the track, which enters its 60th season of operation this year, New York International Raceway Park (NYIRP).

“When the possibility of racing not happening at Lancaster in 2019 started to become a reality, Mike and I decided we needed to step in and help,” said Antonicelli.  “We look at it as redefining the future for generations to come. To keep the facility open for our current racers and fans while growing and adding racers and fans that will keep it going for another 60 years.”

The Dragway, which will be known as Lancaster Dragway @ NYIRP, will see a traditional weekly schedule of drag racing events that begins week with Tuesday night’s Test & Tune, Wednesday’s Cruise Night and Friday’s IHRA Drag Racing.

All weekly IHRA racers will race for points on Friday, May 24. The TNT Super Series and the Buffalo Street Outlaws will also take part.

NYIRP has also partnered with the Race of Champions (RoC) to put on a series of six stock car events this season.

The Speedway, which will be known as Lancaster Speedway @ NYIRP, opens Thursday, June 27 with the 5th-annual running of the RoC Modified Series’ Ol’ Boy Cup 60 featuring area Modifieds. Street Stocks, 4-Cylinders and YPA TQ Midgets finish out the night.

For more information on the changes, including the 2019 schedule, visit the NYIRP website.

Photo courtesy of Shawn Cathcart, NYIRP