VERNON, NY- The month of July continues on this Sunday evening, July 10, at the Utica-Rome Speedway with another night of high speed of family entertainment.  Pathfinder Village presents New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) night featuring the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds, SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman, Broedel Energy Open Sportsman, and G&I Homes of Vernon Pro Stocks.  It is also the popular Autograph Night where fans of all ages have a chance to meet their favorite driver and get their autograph. 

The winner of the Super DIRTcar Modified Series event at the Vernon oval this past weekend, Matt Sheppard, is point leader in the chase for the Gates-Cole Insurance Modified championship.  Larry Wight, Danny Varin, Pat Ward, and Marc Johnson round out the top five with Tim Fuller, Mike Mahaney, Vic Coffey, Rob Bellinger, and Alan Johnson filling out the top 10.  The weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series New York State rankings, Sheppard is third overall in the state with Varin, Wight, and Marc Johnson holding down positions four through six. Ward sits in ninth while Coffey is 15^th and Bellinger is 17^th.  Sheppard is also tops in the wins’ category as he has four wins at Utica-Rome Speedway with Wight, Varin, Ward, and Bellinger all having one victory a piece. 

In a very competitive SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman division, Matt Janczuk is the current point leader over Rocky Warner, Glenn Forward, JaMike Sowle, Chris Mackey, Beth Bellinger, Kyle Kiehn, David Schilling, Rocco Leone, and Jason Rood.  Warner leads the division in wins with three while Janczuk, Rood, Todd Root, and Brad Rouse all have a single win so far. 

In the Broedel Energy Open Sportsman, Steve Way is the atop the point standings with Jack Miller, Jeremy Vunk, Claude Hutchings, Jr., Randy Shantel, Mark Effner, Tom Tophoven, Craig Pope, Jim Rothwell, and Lucas Heintz giving chase.  Vunk and Hutchings each have two wins while Way and Miller each have one.  Pete Stefanski is currently outrunning the rest of field in the G&I Homes of Vernon Pro Stocks as he is the current point leader with Mike Welch, Luke Horning, Jim Normoyle, and Nick Stone rounding out the top five.  Filling out the remainder of the top 10 in the standings is Chris Carr, Bill Knapp, Gus Hollner, Travis Welch, and Frank Hyatt.  With three wins, Stefanski is the win leader as well, with Horning at two wins.  Welch and Normoyle also have one win each. 

On NYSSCA night, members of the organization will be eligible for special bonuses based on finishing position.  NYSSCA is a driver oriented organization well known for its benefits for injured drivers for it members.  Each year, NYSSCA also inducts drivers, car owners, and officials into the NYSSCA Hall of Fame, with some of the all-time greats in NY State having been inducted.  For more information on NYSSCA, visit www.nyssca.com. 

During intermission this Sunday, the drivers will bring their cars out on to the front stretch and the fans will be allowed out on to the track to meet their favorite drivers.  Autographs will also be available with many giving out candy and autograph cards.  This night is always popular with the younger fans, who rarely get a chance to see the cars and stars up close. 

Gates for this exciting show open at 3:30 p.m. with racing set to begin at 5:30 p.m.  Kids 16 and under are admitted to the grandstands for free. 

Utica-Rome Speedway can be found on Route 5 in Vernon, NY and is just minutes from the New York State Thruway.  Complete information including full schedule, point standings, and much more can be found at www.uticaromespeedway.com.  The speedway office can be contacted by calling (315) 829-4557.