VERNON, NY- After a stellar opening night this past Sunday evening, the Utica-Rome Speedway will come back to life this Sunday, April 24, when Wilber-Duck Chevrolet presents the return of the GO Nuclear Late Model Series along with another night of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing featuring the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds, SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman, Broedel Energy Open Sportsman, and Pro Stocks.

On Sunday, the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds diced it for two 20 lap main events and like much of the 2015 season, Larry Wight and Matt Sheppard continued their rivalry as they each won one of the main events.  Although it is very early in the season, Sheppard is the point leader after two events over Larry Wight, Tim Fuller, Pat Ward, Chris Hile, Matt Hulsizer, Danny Varin, Ronnie Johnson, Marc Johnson, and Danny Johnson.  Most of the drivers listed are expected back Sunday along with Vic Coffey, Mike Mahaney, Rob Bellinger, Vinnie Vitale, Tim Mayne, Alan Johnson, Cory Pike, and more.  This week, the Modifieds will compete in a 30 lap, $2,000 to win feature event. 

Over 30 SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman filled the pit area last Sunday evening and when the checkered flag flew, it was 2015 champion Rocky Warner standing in Victory Lane collecting another trophy.  Matt Janczuk chased him to the finish followed by JaMike Sowle, Dave Marcuccilli, Kevin Root, John Christian, AJ Filbeck, Chris Cunningham, Rocco Leone, Chris Mackey, and many more.  With weekly handicapping this week, Warner will have his work cut out for him with a tough field on hand if he hopes to collect back to back wins. 

In the Pro Stocks, 27 cars entered the night’s competition and it was Luke Horning finding the quick way around the Vernon oval and grabbing the winner’s share.  Horning outran Nick Stone, Gus Hollner, Jay Casey, Mike Welch, Pete Stefanski, Jason Casey, Bill Knapp, Chris Car, Tom Denton, and many more to the finish line.   

Jeremy Vunk found some early season magic as he was able to beat last year’s division champion Steve Way to the finish line. Heath Carney was a quick third followed by Randy Shantel, Lucas Heintz, Tom Tophoven, Jim Rothwell, Craig Pope, Mark Effner, Claude Hutchings, Jr., Jack Miller, and John DeForest.   

Last season, Aaron Jacobs pulled off a huge upset when he dominated the 2^nd running of the Gnome Cup at his home track.  This Sunday, Jacobs will like to make a win streak as he looks to grab the win this Sunday in a tune up event for the 3^rd annual Gnome Cup when the GO Nuclear Late Model Series comes to town.  A full field of Late Models is expected including Bret Belden, Brandon Ford, Greg Belyea, Lee Gill, Dale Caswell, and many more. 

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. with racing at 6 p.m.  Patrons are also reminded that the Speedway Club (located in the old Tombstone Saloon location in front of the speedway) is open at 3 p.m. on Sundays until the 6p.m. race time.  For local fans, it will also be open on Saturday evenings from 4 p.m. until Midnight. 

Utica-Rome Speedway is located on Route 5 in Vernon NY, just minutes from the New York State Thruway.  “The Action Track of the East” runs on Sunday evenings weekly from mid-April through early September.  For more information, please log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315)729-4557.  Utica-Rome Speedway also has a presence on social media with frequent updates on Facebook and Twitter.