Written by Chris Moore

VERNON, NY– It’s race week!

With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, the ‘Home of Heroes’ returns to action this Friday night (August 27).

The Sunoco Modifieds lead the Utica-Rome faithful into another night of racing with a 30-lap headlining event. The Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman, Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman, and Cool Stuff Antiques Four Cylinders will join the Modifieds on the big half-mile.

The Senior Services Inc. All-Star Slingshots and D&S Landscaping Junior Slingshots will be on the inner oval for their championship night at the speedway.

Sheffield, Mass. star Andy Bachetti is coming off his first win of the season at the Route 5 oval, slightly trimming the gap between himself and Modified point leader Matt Sheppard, who’s coming off a seventh-place run, his worst finish of the season with the Sunoco Modifieds.

Oneida, N.Y.’s Matt Janczuk continued his winning ways, grabbing his eighth win of the season last week with the Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman. The win also catapulted Janczuk further into the point lead with just two weeks remaining.

Nick Stone continued his dominant ways, as the Schenectady, N.Y. driver claimed his eighth win of the season with the Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks. Grand Gorge, N.Y.’s Beau Ballard grabbed his seventh consecutive runner-up finish, maintaining advantage over Stone in the championship chase.

Baldwinsville, N.Y.’s David Hackett Jr. grabbed his third consecutive Fastline Performance win bringing him to within four markers of point leader Clayton DuMond.

Justin Pope (DOHC) grabbed his eighth Cool Stuff Antiques Four Cylinders win over the largest field of the season at Utica-Rome. T.J. Marlitt won his second consecutive Single Cam portion of the Four Cylinder event.

Dan Slosek and Corky Warner won the Slingshot features the last time they ran at Utica-Rome. Brett Putnam and Warner lead the points heading into championship night for the Slingshots.

For the August 27 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 $12 for Adults and $10 for Seniors (ages 65 and above). Kids 11 and under get in 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.