VERNON, NY – Full house.

An unseasonably warm April Friday brought a massive turnout of 84 race cars to Utica-Rome Speedway for the 2023 Open Practice. The ‘Home of Heroes’ hosted three hours of track time for a variety of divisions in advance of the Season Opener on Friday, April 21.

Both the outer half-mile oval and inner loop were prepared for the test and tune session by track prep guru Jamie Friesen.

Divisions represented included Modifieds, Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman, Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman, Fonda Fair Four Cylinders, 360 and 305 Sprint Cars, Senior Services Inc. All-Star Slingshots and Junior Slingshots.

Attention now turns to the ‘Alex Friesen Remembered’ Season Opener topped by a $6,800-to-win, 30-lap Modified event plus Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman, Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman and Fonda Fair Four Cylinders.

Gates open at 5 p.m., with hot laps at 6:45 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

Adult grandstand admission is $22. Seniors (ages 65 and over) pay $20 and Kids 11 and under are FREE.

Pit admission is $40 (ages 13 and up), $35 (NASCAR or Utica-Rome Member), $10 for Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 for Children ages 5 and under.

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