VERNON, NY- This Sunday, July 12, the Go Nuclear Late Model Series makes its return to the spacious half mile that is Utica-Rome Speedway to compete in the second annual “Gnome Cup”. The late models will be joined by a full show of Stampede Steakhouse Modifieds, 602 Sportsman, Open Sportsman, and Pro Street Stocks as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and will be presented by HR Refuse and Wilber-Duck Chevrolet. Race time is set for 6 p.m. with the gates opening at 3:30 p.m.

In the chase for the $13,000 Stampede Steakhouse Modified track championship, Matt Sheppard is the current leader with veteran Pat Ward in pursuit. Larry Wight is third in the standings with the winner from this past Sunday, Mike Mahaney, in the fourth spot. Vic Coffey has climbed into the fifth spot followed by defending champion Stewart Friesen, Tim Fuller, Mike Bowman, Matt Hulsizer, and Erick Rudolph. As part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, drivers are not only ranked nationally, but with their home state as well and in the state standings Utica-Rome Speedway regulars are doing rather well. Sheppard is in second spot followed by Ward in third while Wight in the fifth spot in the New York State standings. Mahaney finds himself in the sixth spot while Friesen and Coffey are in seventeenth and eighteenth respectively. Last year’s New York State NASCAR Whelen All-American Series title was worth an additional $12,000 which was won by Friesen.

Defending Go Nuclear Late Model Series champion Charlie Sandercock leads the touring band of drivers into the Vernon oval not only as the current point leader, but as the defending winner of the Gnome Cup. After two events, Sandercock leads Lee Gill, Sean Beardsley, Dale Caswell, Chris Fleming, Kyle Sopaz, Phil Potts, Dustin Waters, Greg Belyea, and Brandon Mowat. Local competitors Bret Belden, Alan Fink, AJ Kingsley, John Hill, Aaron Jacobs, Kevan Cook, Shayne Tenace, Brandon Ford and Steve Coit plus many more are expected to be on hand to try to capture the $1,500 top prize plus the unique Gnome Cup trophy. As previously mentioned, Sandercock won the Gnome Cup last year while Rick Miller scored the win in the inaugural visit by the Go Nuclear Late Model Series in 2013. Three and four wide racing is the norm when the late models come to Utica-Rome Speedway and this Sunday should be more of the same.

Adding to the already exciting show is full regular events for the remaining three support divisions of 602 Sportsman, Open Sportsman, and Pro Street Stocks. Rocky Warner leads the way in the 602 Sportsman while Claude Hutchings Jr. regained the point lead this past in the Open Sportsman Sunday by winning the main event. Mike Welch took full advantage of then point leader Glenn Forwards’ misfortune by winning the main event and taking the point lead back in the Pro Street Stocks.

For more information on the Utica-Rome Speedway including full schedule info, full point standings, rules, and much more log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315)829-4557. Utica-Rome Speedway can also found on Facebook or on Twitter at @UR_Speedway. For information on the Go Nuclear Late Model Series, you can go to their official Facebook page.