VERNON, NY- Utica-Rome Speedway roars back into action this Sunday, August 13, with another big show of DIRTcar weekly racing featuring the Gates-Cole Auto Insurance Modifieds, Broedel Energy Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Rookie Sportsman.  Also, as a special treat for the kids getting ready to go back to school, it will be the 2^nd Annual Back to School Backpack Giveaway presented the Bobby Page Foundation and the Utica-Rome Speedway Kids Club.  At intermission, 55 backpacks with school supplies will be given away.  The exciting night of short track dirt racing is presented by Parks Paving and Wilber-Duck Chevrolet. 

Talent and a little luck have landed Matt Sheppard in Utica-Rome Speedway’s victory lane for three consecutive events.  After two weeks of overpowering his competition, Sheppard was able to avoid an early race melee at the front of the field and then was handed the lead when leader Danny Varin’s motor expired to extend his winning streak.  With a talent laden field on hand weekly, the question is now who will step up and put an end to Sheppard’s win streak, and when.  With just four-point events left, Sheppard is the current point leader over Pat Ward, Bobby Varin, Tim Fuller, Marc Johnson, Danny Varin, Claude Hutchings Jr., Mike Mahaney, Rob Bellinger, and Mike Maresca.  Sheppard also leads in visits to victory lane with five, while Ward, Larry Wight, and Stewart Friesen have one trip each. 

Broedel Energy Sportsman point leader Matt Janczuk finally collected his first win of the season this past Sunday with a daring last lap pass in the final set of turns.  Janczuk’s win helped his cause in the standings as it gave him some more space between himself and second place point man Chris Mackey.  AJ Filbeck, Kyle Inman, AJ Miller, Kyle Kiehn, Brent Joy, Mark Effner, Dave Moyer, and Rocky Warner.  The win column show Warner leading the way with four wins, Dave Marcuccilli with two, while Janczuk, Effner, and Alan Fink have one apiece. 

Mike Welch has been on roll in the Pro Stock division, winning four of the last five events with the only loss coming by inches.  Welch finds himself atop the standings over one-time winner Shane Henderson, Jim Normoyle, Bill Knapp, and Ernie Staelens.  Robbie Speed is the only other winner in the division with two wins. 

The Rookie Sportsman will also be in action, and with three events complete there has been three different winners.  Joe Abass, Tom Juno, and Jimmy Moyer have all taken the checkered in the new division. 

During intermission, Utica-Rome Speedway Kids Club and the Bobby Page Foundation will team up to give away 55 backpacks, filled with supplies, to kids to help them prepare for the upcoming school season.  The Bobby Page Foundation was founded in 2006 to improve the quality of life to the less fortunate children the in the community.  The family and friends of Bobby Page felt it very important to carry on the true spirit of Bobby, who was taken at the young age of 25 after a very tough battle with cancer.  Bobby always had a special place in his heart for children.  More information on the Bobby Page Foundation can be found at www.bobbypage5.com. 

Grandstand admission for adults this Sunday is on $13 while children 16 and under are FREE.  Remember to bring the kids for a chance for a new backpack, while a new kids bicycle is also given out each Sunday courtesy of the Utica-Rome Speedway Kids Club and Davidson Chevrolet.  Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and racing will begin at 7 p.m.   

For more information, please log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315) 829-4557.  The speedway also has a strong presence on Facebook and Twitter.  Utica-Rome Speedway is located just minutes from the New York State Thruway, just east of the village of Vernon on Route 5.