VERNON, NY- This Sunday, August 21, another exciting show NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing is planned at the Utica-Rome Speedway as the season starts to wind down. Just four point events remain on the schedule and all four divisions are locked in a tight battle for the championship.  Gates-Cole Insurance and Certified Auto Outlet will present the fast paced show consisting of the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds, SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman, Broedel Energy Open Sportsman, and G&I Homes of Vernon Pro Stocks. 

Matt Sheppard finds himself just 12 points ahead of rival Larry Wight in the chase for the Gates-Cole Insurance Modified crown just four events remaining.  Danny Varin has been making a late season push for the title, and with some good luck, could find himself in the hunt for the title in September.  Pat Ward and Marc Johnson round out the top five with Rob Bellinger, Mike Mahaney, Vic Coffey, Alan Johnson, and Matt Hulsizer filling out the top 10 positions.  Sheppard remains the win leader with four wins, while Wight, Varin, and Bellinger have two victories each.  Ward also has one win to his credit. 

Defending SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman champion and Matt Janczuk have been locked in a heavyweight bout for the 2016 championship and currently Janczuk has the upper hand, although it is just a slight advantage as he sits just two points ahead of Warner.  Kyle Kiehn has been consistent throughout the year and that has earned him a third place spot in the rankings going into this weekend, just ahead of Chris Mackey and Brent Joy.  Rocco Leone, Jason Rood, Glenn Forward, John Christian, and David Schilling complete the top 10 in the standings.  Warner has a huge advantage in the win column as he has five wins while Janczuk, Rood, Christian, Todd Root, and Brad Rouse have one victory each. 

Steve Way has a 14-point lead over Claude Hutchings, Jr. going into Broedel Energy Open Sportsman action this Sunday with Jack Miller, Randy Shantel, Jeremy Vunk, Mark Effner, Craig Pope, Tom Tophoven, Heath Carney, and Lucas Heintz all in pursuit.  Hutchings has three wins on the season so far, with Vunk at two wins while Way, Miller, and Shantel have one win each. 

Like the SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman point chase, the battle for the G&I Homes of Vernon Pro Stock title has been a back and forth affair.  This week, it is Mike Welch with the two lead over Pete Stefanski while Luke Horning stalks the duo within striking distance in the third spot.  Jim NormOyle, Chris Carr, Gus Hollner, Bill Knapp, Frank Hyatt, Jerry Streeter, and Aaron Page round out the remaining top 10 spots.  Welch, Stefanski, and Horning all have three victories each with Normoyle the only driver to beat the top trio to the checkered this season. 

Gates open for the exciting night of family entertainment at 3:30 p.m. with racing set to begin at 6 p.m.  Adult grandstand admission is just $13 while children 16 and under are free.  Seniors and Military are $10. 

Utica-Rome Speedway is located on Route 5in Vernon NY, just minutes from the New York State Thruway.  For more information, please log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315)829-4557.