Written by Chris Moore

VERNON, NY – Racing returns to its Friday night program at Utica-Rome Speedway on July 29.

After last week’s Thursday night special with the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco in town, Senior Services Inc. presents the return to Friday night racing at the ‘Home of Heroes.’

Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard returned to Sunoco Modified Victory Lane for the seventh time this season in the ‘Richie Evans Remembered 61.’ Despite the win, Sheppard’s point lead remained stagnant at 69 markers over Gloversville, N.Y.’s Rocky Warner. The event awarded all drivers with 25 show up points only.

Sheppard outgunned Sprakers, N.Y.’s Stewart Friesen and Warner to claim the $6,100-plus top prize.

Durhamville, N.Y.’s Matt Janczuk claimed his fifth consecutive Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman victory and his first STSS triumph. Janczuk topped South New Berlin, N.Y.’s Payton Talbot for the win.

The pair remain separated by just six markers atop the point standings.

The Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman, and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders all return to action after their week off.

Grand Gorge, N.Y.’s Beau Ballard leads the Next Generation Graphix Pro Stock standings by 48 points over Averill Park, N.Y.’s Jay Corbin. Bret Belden rounds out the top three, just two markers behind Corbin.

Seth Martin became the first four-time winner with the Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman on July 15, closing himself to within two points of Zack Welch for the point lead.

Matt Bukovan leads David DeNova by 16 points in the Fonda Fair Four Cylinder division after his second win of the season on July 15. Jacob Kimball was the single cam winner.

The Senior Services Inc. All-Star Slingshots and D&S Landscaping Junior Slingshots return to action as well this Friday night on the inner oval.

Brett Putnam holds a 14-point advantage over Chris Darrow atop the Senior Services All-Star Slingshots division.

Blake Banek tops the D&S Landscaping Junior Slingshot division by 22 points over defending champion Corky Warner.

For the July 29 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 $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 entire night of racing 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.