Written by Chris Moore

VERNON, NY – This Friday, (June 17) racing resumes at Utica-Rome Speedway as the lightning-fast Patriot Sprint Tour (PST) 360 Sprint Cars join the regular Friday night program.

Friday night’s racing action features the winged warriors for the second time in 2022, after the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) returned to the ‘Home of Heroes’ back on May 13.

Fonda, N.Y.’s Danny Varin claimed the only Sprint Car A-Main thus far this year, outdueling Marcellus, N.Y.’s Paulie Colagiovanni on a late race restart for the thrilling victory.

Varin will be in the field with the PST contingent this Friday.

Broedel Energy and A-Verdi Storage Containers present the full night of racing with the Sunoco Modifieds, Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman, Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman, and the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders joining the PST.

Unadilla, N.Y.’s Billy Decker became the third different Sunoco Modified winner in as many weeks this past Friday night. The ‘Franklin Flyer’ led the final 19 laps of the non-stop 30-lap affair to claim his seventh career Utica-Rome victory.

Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard continued his impressive streak, finishing in the top two in each of the six races thus far this season, extending his point advantage over Covington Township, Pa.’s Alex Yankowski to 66 points.

South New Berlin, N.Y.’s Payton Talbot extended his impressive start to the 2022 campaign, claiming his fourth Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman victory of the season. The win – plus engine issues for Matt Janczuk – gave Talbot a 32-point advantage heading into this Friday night’s racing.

Janczuk – of Durhamville, N.Y. – now sits second in the standings with Rome, N.Y.’s Chris Mackey rounding out the top three.

Grand Gorge, N.Y.’s Beau Ballard joined Talbot as a four-time winner in the new season, claiming the 20-lap Next Generation Graphix Pro Stock feature win. Ballard’s win extended his point advantage to 36 markers beyond his closest competitor Jay Corbin, who is the only other Friday night regular with a victory.

Alex Hughes became the first Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman driver to three wins on the season. The Hamilton, N.Y. native climbed to the runner-up spot in points, just four behind Oxford, N.Y.’s Matt Backus who finished in third on Friday night.

Corey Valade (DOHC) and Hunter Tarbania (SOHC) were victorious with the Fonda Fair Four Cylinders on Friday night. Matt Bukovan was the runner-up on Friday night and maintained his point lead by 16-points over David DeNova.

For the June 17 program, all gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps are slated to begin at 6:45 p.m. with racing to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $18 for Adults and $16 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 night of racing – and every race in the 2022 season – will air live and on-demand on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv).

Utica-Rome Speedway is located at 5591 NY-5 (Seneca Turnpike) Vernon, NY 13476. The official website is www.uticaromespeedway.com and can be reached by phone at 315.953.4097.  Like Utica-Rome Speedway on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @UR_Speedway.