Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Join Weekly Divisions on Championship Night this Sunday, Track Champions to be Crowned
VERNON, NY- After a season that has seen some great racing in between dodging the rain, the Utica-Rome Speedway point season will come to a close this Sunday, September 22, in all four of the weekly divisions. Broedel Energy and Rasmussen Rents will present the final night of points and see the track champions crowned for the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds, SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman, Broedel Energy Open Sportsman, and G&I Homes of Vernon Pro Stocks. The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints will also be on hand for what will be a tune up for the $10,000 to win Cole Cup on September 11. The Back to School Backpack Giveaway for the kids, courtesy of the Bobby Page Foundation and the Utica-Rome Speedway Kids Club, will take place during intermission.
Like the other divisions, the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds have a close point battle going in this Sunday’s event as defending champion Matt Sheppard looks to secure another title over Larry Wight, who sits just 12 points shy of the lead. Danny Varin sits in third followed by Pat Ward, Marc Johnson, Rob Bellinger, Mike Mahaney, Vic Coffey, Alan Johnson, and Matt Hulsizer.
In the SUNY Canton 602 Sportsman, defending champion Rocky Warner looks to grab his second title in a row, but Matt Janczuk stands his way as he holds a two-point edge over Warner coming into this weekend. Kyle Kiehn, Chris Mackey, and Brent Joy round out the top five with Rocco Leone, Jason Rood, Glenn Forward, John Christian, and David Schilling trailing.
Steve Way holds a 14-point advantage in the Broedel Energy Open Sportsman over Claude Hutchings Jr., with Jack Miller, Randy Shantel, Jeremy Vunk, Mark Effner, Craig Pope, Tom Tophoven, Heath Carney, and Lucas Heintz chasing. Way is looking to take home his second consecutive title.
The G&I Homes of Vernon Pro Stocks show another tight point battle that is going down to the wire as Mike Welch has a very slim two-point edge over Pete Stefanski. Luke Horning remains in contention as well in the third spot with Jim Normoyle, Chris Carr, Gus Hollner, Bill Knapp, Frank Hyatt, Jerry Streeter, and Aaron Page.
Steve Poirier will lead the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint charge into the Utica-Rome Speedway as the point leader. Jason Barney, Paul Kinney, Matt Tanner, Chuck Hebing, Parker Evans, Jeff Cook, Shawn Donath, Danny Varin, and Bryan Howland come into the weekend as the remainder of the top 10 in points in the season long series standings. Several surprise drivers are expected as drivers will be looking for some important track time in advance of the following weekend’s big event. On September 11, the 360 Sprints will compete in the 3rd Annual Cole Cup that will be worth $10,000 to the victor. Some of the best Sprint drivers in the northeast will be on hand in search of the huge payday.
During intermission, the Utica-Rome Speedway Kids Club and the Bobby Page Foundation will team up to give away over 50 backpacks to kids to help them prepare for the upcoming school season. The Bobby Page Foundation was founded in 2006 to improve the quality of life to the less fortunate children the in the community. The family and friends of Bobby Page felt it very important to carry on the true spirit of Bobby, who was taken at the young age of 25 after a very tough battle with cancer. Bobby always had a special place in his heart for children. More information on the Bobby Page Foundation can be found at www.bobbypage5.com.
Gates will open at 3 p.m. with racing set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Adult admission for this huge show is $22 with children 16 and under $5.
Utica-Rome Speedway operates on Sunday evening throughout the summer under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banner and is located on Route 5 in Vernon NY. More information including point standings, schedule info for the remainder of the 2016 season, and more please log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com. The speedway office can be contacted by calling (315) 829-4557.
Sources: John Tiff/Utica-Rome Speedway PR