CANTON — SUNY Canton does not have a varsity racing team, but featuring the school's logo on the side of his DIRT modified car has made incoming freshman Steven Planck feel as if he's a member of a varsity sport.

In a move unique among area colleges or universities, SUNY Canton has sponsored two racing series this year, as well as a handful of drivers, including Planck, whose father, Dale, is one of the more well-known racers on the DIRT circuit.

"It kind of gives you pride, like you are representing something," said Planck, who races mostly at Brewerton, Fulton and Weedsport. "It definitely changes stereotypes. A lot of people think racing is a bunch of grease monkeys coming out of the garage. Having SUNY Canton come abroad shows there are educated people in the sport. It shows what types of different people are involved in racing. SUNY Canton is kind of breaking the barrier of sponsorships."

Getting the school involved in DIRT racing was the idea of longtime race fan Michael Perry, the executive director of the school's college association.

"We had a study done a few years back that said one thing our college needs to do is get better name recognition," Perry said. "Here was an opportunity to get our name in front of a lot of folks.

"It's been an extremely positive reaction. I can directly relate it to at least six or seven students who have enrolled at the institution, now, who wouldn't have without these efforts. It has definitely put our name out in the northeast DIRT racing community. Everybody knows who SUNY Canton is and that's what the program was all about. It's gotten interest from DIRT Motorsports, itself."

SUNY Canton has sponsored a 14-race street stock series, which takes place at Utica-Rome, Thunder Alley and Can-Am. It's also sponsoring a four-race series for sportsman cars at Thunder Alley and Can-Am.

"I don't know of any other (university) that's done it," Perry said. "I saw the connection with our automotive technology and our motor sports programs. We figured there's a lot of young men or women out there involved in these local racing programs. We just wanted them to be aware that we have programs in which they may have an interest."

Planck was already interested in studying automotive technology and mechanical engineering at the school and came up for a visit last spring. He was put in contact with Perry and eventually wound up being one of the drivers who has the school's logo on his car.

"Everybody comes to me and thinks it's really cool," Planck said. "On SUNY Canton's part, that's a big kind of advertisement. I get a lot of questions and feedback."

ADIRONDACK ALUMS IN MONTREAL

Two former winners of the Camping World Series East's annual race at the Adirondack International Speedway took part in the NASCAR Nationwide Series road race in Montreal last Saturday.

Joey Logano, who won the 2007 Adirondack race, was in the top five late in the race before crashing his car on a wet track during a caution flag. Logano, who some expect to take Tony Stewart's No. 20 car in the Sprint Cup Series next year, wound up finishing 17th.

The other former Adirondack winner participating was Dale Quarterly, who won the second Series East race at the track in 2003. Quarterly lasted just two laps and finished second-to-last in 42nd place, leaving early due to problems with how his car was handling.

GIBSON OUT, FAZIO IN

Billy Gibson has resigned his position as general manager of the Adirondack International Speedway in New Bremen.

The 23-year-old Gibson has been replaced by former race director Frank Fazio, according to owner-promoter Paul Lyndaker. Fazio has been associated with the speedway since 2002.

Gibson will still act as the public relations director of the speedway, but he will step down as marketing director.

Lewis County resident Kim Perrigo will be the new marketing director.

COOK UPDATE

Antwerp native Jeff Cook was in fifth place in the overall standings for the Empire Super Sprint Series as of July 20. Cook has not won yet this season but has four top-five finishes and eight top-10 finishes.

The next race on the schedule is Aug. 15 at Autodrome Eidelweiss in Cantley, Quebec.

Times sportswriter John O'Donnell contributed to this report.