VERNON, NY- After two exciting shows to kick off the 2016 at Utica-Rome Speedway, the month of May will bring more excitement starting with this Sunday, May 1.  Wilber-Duck Chevrolet, Rasmussen Rents, and Broedel Energy presents 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 plus the first visit by the Pro Race Car Mod Lites. 

So far Larry Wight and Matt Sheppard have been the only two drivers to score wins in the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds with Sheppard victorious in the past two events.  A quick glance at the early season rankings show Sheppard with a slim point lead over Wight followed by Tim Fuller, Pat Ward, Danny Varin, Matt Hulsizer, Marc Johnson, Vic Coffey, Mike Mahaney, and Ryan Phelps.  Will Sheppard continue his streak or will someone new find Victory Lane this Sunday? 

The SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman have been one of the most competitive divisions on a weekly basis and last Sunday just offered more proof to back that up as Jason Rood won by a mere .018 seconds over Matt Janczuk.  Look for much of the same this Sunday as point leader Janczuk looks to score his first win while defending champion and second place point man Rocky Warner looks to grab another win.  Following that duo in the standings is Jamike Sowle, Glenn Forward, Chris Mackey, John Christian, Rood, David Schilling, Corey Barker, Rocco Leone, Kyle Kiehn, and Daryl Nutting. 

After motor issues sidelined Claude Hutchings Jr. opening night, he rebounded this past Sunday to take his first checkered flag of the season but still has some work to do if he wants to become the point leader as he trails Jeremy Vunk, Heath Carney, and Steve Way.  Following the top four in the rankings is Jim Rothwell, Tom Tophoven, Jack Miller, Lucas Heintz, Mark Effner, Randy Shantel, and Craig Pope. 

Fans of the Pro Stock division never go home disappointed as they continue to thrill the crowd with their side by side, fender to fender racing.  So far in 2016, Luke Horning and Jim Normoyle have victories with Horning shown as the early point leader.  Nick Stone, Pete Stefanski, Mike Welch, Gus Hollner, Bill Knapp, Chris Carr, Jim Normoyle, Travis Welch, and Frank Hyatt round out the top ten spots. 

For the first time in 2016, the Pro Race Car Mod Lites will visit the Utica-Rome Speedway to test the high speed oval.  Last season, Joe Isabell and Josh Sliter were the winners in the division’s two stops. 

Gates open at 3:30 p.m. this Sunday with racing set to start at 6 p.m.  As they are on most Sundays, kids 16 and under are free. 

Utica-Rome Speedway is located on Route 5, just east of the Village of Vernon and minutes from the New York State Thruway.  For more information, log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315)82-4557.