VERNON, NY- The 2016 season continues this Sunday, May 8, at the Utica-Rome Speedway with another round NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Racing presented by Bill Herrig Auto Sales and Mirabito Energy Products.  Another thrilling show of Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds, SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman, Broedel Energy Open Sportsman, and Pro Stocks is planned. 

Matt Sheppard has won two of the three feature event completed in the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds to take the early point lead over the Larry Wight, who sits in second in the standings.  A quick glance at the standings shows Tim Fuller, Pat Ward, and Danny Varin filling out the top five spots followed by Matt Hulsizer, Marc Johnson, Vic Coffey, Mike Mahaney, and Ryan Phelps.  Two of the three of the main events completed had late race passes for the win while the third event the winner was followed closely to the checkered. 

Consistency kept Matt Janczuk in the point chase last season, and so far in 2016 the same tactic has put him into the early lead in the SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman standings.  Janczuk currently sits just four points ahead of opening night winner and defending champion Rocky Warner followed by JaMike Sowle, Glenn Forward, and Chris Mackey.  Rounding out the top 10 is John Christian, recent winner Jason Rood, David Schilling, Corey Barker, Rocco Leone, Kyle Kiehn, and Daryl Nutting.   

The Broedel Energy Open Sportsman rankings show a tie in the chase for the track championship with Opening night victor Jeremy Vunk in a tie with Heath Carney.  Defending champion Steve Way sits just two points back closely followed by the most recent winner Claude Hutchings Jr.  Jim Rothwell completes the top five ahead of Tom Tophoven, Jack Miller, Lucas Heintz, Mark Effner, Randy Shantel, and Craig Pope. 

The full fendered Pro Stock division continues to be one of the most popular classes among the Utica-Rome Speedway fans as their continuous side by side action thrills them every week.  So far in 2016, opening night winner Luke Horning leads the standings followed by Nick Stone, Pete Stefanski, Mike Welch, Gus Hollner, Bill Knapp, Chris Car, last week’s winner Jim Normoyle, Travis Welch, and Frank Hyatt. 

Gates open this Sunday at 3:30 p.m. with racing schedule to start promptly at 6 p.m.  Kids 16 and under are free while adult grandstand admission is just $13. 

Dubbed “The Action Track of the East”, Utica-Rome Speedway can be found on Route 5 just east of the Village of Vernon and just minutes from the New York State Thruway.  More information can be found at www.uticaromespeeedway.com or by calling (315)829-4557.  Utica-Rome Speedway can also be found on several social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter at @UR_Speedway.