by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Monticello, NY — On Tuesday afternoon, June 23, Monticello Raceway will present the sixth leg of its Heritage Drivers Series. Dubbed ‘the Mayflower Mile’ all participating drivers can trace their heritage — either on the dad’s or mom’s side — back to jolly old England, or at least to a country in the United Kingdom.

After the Mayflower Mile there will still be two Heritage Drivers Series legs to be presented. Slated for July 30 is ‘the Munich Mile,’ for drivers of German heritage followed on August 26 with the ‘Godfather Pace,’ for drivers of Italian descent.

The winners of these contests will join the winners of each of the previous Heritage Drivers Series legs in a finale which will be called ‘the All-America Cup’ and raced during the fall season.

Those drivers who already have earned a berth in the All-America Cup via their triumphs in a previous series leg include Jim King Solomon (Dr. Martin Luther King Pace); Doreen Dailey (Lady Godiva Pace); Jimmy Marohn, Jr. (St. Paddy Pace); Peter Lutman III — his mom was Jewish — (Passover Pace); and Stephane Bouchard (Maple Leaf Pace).

The eight participants in the Mayflower Mile are all seasoned veterans and Director of Racing Eric Warner is expecting a great competition.

“Some of our leading drivers can trace their roots back to the UK, and perhaps drivers whom you may never think of as being part British,” Warner said.

Warner was undoubtedly referring to both Bruce Aldrich, Jr. and Kyle DiBenedetto, whose mothers were of English extraction.

Others who have some English blood in the veins and who will be joining Aldrich and DiBenedetto in the Mayflower Mile include the track’s leading driver, Billy Parker, Jr., along with Greg Merton, Gary Messenger, Chuck Poynton, Gerry Fielding and Gareth Dowse, who, by the way, has become part of the American fabric since he emigrated here from Wales a few years ago.

The ‘Mayflower Mile’ is slated as race number six on the 13-race card on Tuesday, June 23. First post will be at 1:10 p.m.