Written by Chris Moore

VERNON, NY – Racecars and Fireworks.

This Friday (July 2) Utica-Rome Speedway kicks off the Independence Day Weekend with a full slate of racing plus a huge fireworks display.

Parks Companies LLC presents the program with the Sunoco Modifieds competing for $3,500 to win for the second consecutive Friday.

The band Chasing Neon will perform live on the midway to kick off the holiday weekend when gates open at 5 p.m., with Big Frog 104.1 broadcasting from the speedway 5-7 p.m.

Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard enters the night as the Modified point leader, having won each of the last two feature events. Sheppard had opened the season with three consecutive runner-up finishes.

The Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman, Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman and Cool Stuff Antiques Four Cylinders will join the Sunoco Modifieds on the half-mile track.

On the inner oval, the Senior Services Insurance All-Star Slingshots and D&S Landscaping Junior Slingshots will return.

Dolgeville, N.Y.’s Dave Richer took over the Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman point lead with a fifth-place run this past Friday. South New Berlin, N.Y.’s Payton Talbot picked up his first career Utica-Rome Speedway win.

Beau Ballard of Grand Gorge, N.Y. continues to set the pace in the Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks division after a runner-up finish last Friday. However, his closest competitor Nick Stone picked up the win and closed the gap.

Clayton DuMond’s third-place finish was good enough to retain his point lead, with David Hacket Jr. earning his first career win in the Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman.

Justin Pope grabbed another win in the Cool Stuff Antiques victory, his fourth in as many attempts, continuing his point lead. Wayne Russell Jr. got his third Single Cam win in their portion of the event.

Kyle Fallis and Brett Putnam each have a win and runner-up to their names, tying them atop the Senior Services Insurance All-Star Slingshots standings. Colt Kimball has won both D&S Landscaping Junior Slingshot features to this point, giving him the point lead.

For the July 2 program, all gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with racing beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $15. Seniors (ages 65 and up) pay $13. Kids 11 and under are FREE.

Pit Admission is $30 for Utica-Rome Speedway members and $35 for non-members.

The event will be streamed live by Dirt Track Digest TV (www.dirttrackdigest.tv) for those unable to attend in-person.

Utica-Rome Speedway is located at 5591 NY-5 (Seneca Turnpike) Vernon, NY 13476. The official website is www.uticaromespeedway.com. Like Utica-Rome Speedway on Facebook or @UR_Speedway.