Written by Chris Moore

VERNON, NY – Championship dreaming.

The 2024 F.X. Caprara Car Companies Thunder on the Thruway (TOTT) Series closes this Saturday, August 17 at Utica-Rome Speedway.

The six-race series between the ‘Home of Heroes’ and neighboring Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway crowns champions for the 3 Bastards Brewing Modifieds, Taylor’s Trailers LLC Crate 602 Sportsman, and the Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks.

Baldwinsville, N.Y.’s Michael Maresca leads the Modified standings by just two points over two-time defending TOTT champion Alex Yankowski.

Maresca won the TOTT opener in the ‘Lou Lazzaro Memorial’ at Fonda Speedway back in April, while Yankowski – the ’24 Fonda Speedway champion – has utilized consistency to a chance at his third title in as many years.

Johnstown, N.Y.’s Rocky Warner is the only other driver with a chance at the title, sitting 32 markers behind Maresca.

Stewart Friesen and Dave Constantino round out the top five.

The 3 Bastards Brewing Modifieds go for 30-laps and a $4,000 payday in the TOTH finale on Saturday night.

South New Berlin, N.Y.’s Payton Talbot currently sits atop the standings for the Taylor’s Trailers LLC Crate 602 Sportsman looking to match Yankowski with a third consecutive TOTH championship.

Standing in his way is Gloversville, N.Y.’s Chad Edwards, the ’21 TOTT Champion. Talbot leads Edwards by 32-points heading into the finale. Talbot and Edwards are the only two with a chance at the championship.

Butchie Irwin, Chip Constantino, and Tyler Peet complete the top five.

The Taylor’s Trailers LLC Crate 602 Sportsman go for 25-laps and a $1,500 top prize in their series finale.

West Winfield, N.Y.’s Kenny Gates leads the chase for the ’24 Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks TOTT championship by 14 markers over Fultonville, N.Y.’s Ivan Joslin.

For both drivers, it would be their first TOTT championship of their careers.

Jason Morrison, Nick Stone, and Devon Camenga round out the top five, without a chance at the championship.

For complete Thunder on the Thruway Standings, visit the following link on the speedway website: https://www.uticaromespeedway.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOTW-R5.pdf

The Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint Cars invade the Home of Heroes competing for a $5,000 winner’s share after 25 laps in the return of the ‘Cole Cup’ to complete the jam-packed night.

Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $25. Seniors pay $23 (ages 65 and over) and Kids 11 and under are FREE.

Pit admission is $45 (Non-Members), $40 (Members), $10 Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 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.