Utica-Rome August 4th preview

Night of Legends reunion this Sunday August 4 at Utica-Rome Speedway on Triple B Welding night.

VERNON, NY -- The 41st anniversary season of stock car racing continues this Sunday August 4 at Utica-Rome Speedway on Triple B Welding Night. Featured will be the popular 3rd Annual Night of Legends Reunion and NYSSCA Safety Awards as well as the exciting race action of the 358-Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Pure Stocks. Race time at the historic Oneida County track is set for 6pm.

Young Matt Sheppard still holds the lead in the 358-Modified point standings and could be headed to his first ever track championship at Utica-Rome. Sheppard has been consistent but has yet to win a feature at the track. Could this Sunday's Triple B Welding 30-lap main event be Sheppard's first win, at a track his father won at in the original Sportsman division? A handful of talented 358-Modified drivers will try to keep Sheppard in the winless column, including Jack Johnson, Mitch Gibbs, Gordy Button, Ryan Baye, Jason Barney, Jim Rothwell, Gus Schmidt, and J.J. Michaels. Overall, eight different drivers have won to date, making it one of the most competitive and exciting seasons in track history.

Tim Clemons and Mike Button appear to be locked in a heated rivalry in the Sportsman division, and with other top drivers including point leader Jamie Christian, Kevin Crave, Paul Carey, and Jim Roberts all looking to maintain their position in the standings, things could prove to be very interesting as the season wears on. Bret Belden, Jason Rood, Denny Smith, Bill Knapp, and Buddy Hencke are locked in a tight Pro Stock point race, and any driver could walk away with the season title. Dave Mannise continues to hold the upper hand in the Pure Stocks, with Chuck Cushman, Art Newman, Ricky Trexler, and Jeff Thorp right behind.

The 3rd Annual "Night of Legends Reunion" will take place throughout the evening. Many race cars of the speedway's past including those of Sonney Seamon, Bernie Miller, Jon Button, Bill Wimble, Dick Clark and possibly many more surprises will be on hand in the midway area. Many nostalgic items of the speedway's past will be on hand with murals featuring old photos, programs, and even television footage of racing of the past at the speedway.

Retired competitors of the asphalt and dirt eras of the speedway are invited to attend the 3rd Annual "Night of Legends". Popular drivers of the past expected to be on hand include Rene Charland, Bernie Miller, Dick Clark and many, many more, as well as former speedway owner Dick Waterman. Veteran Jack Johnson will also be receiving a special award this Sunday during the reunion. For more information about the "Night of Legends", contact Doug Zupan at (315) 829-4557 or Jon Button at (315) 687-6565.

The New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) will hand out their annual Safety Awards ($50 cash from the membership funds) to the first NYSSCA member to cross the line in each division's feature. You must be a NYSSCA member in good standing to receive such an award, and to be eligible for awards at the annual NYSSCA banquet held each January in Albany. The racecar must display the NYSSCA decal as well.

Utica-Rome Speedway gates this Sunday August 4 on Triple B Welding Night will open at 4pm with racing beginning at 6pm. The track is located on Route 5 just east of the Village of Vernon, and it is easily accessible from New York State Thruway Exit 33. Free parking and overnight camping is allowed on speedway grounds. For more information, contact the track office at (315) 829-4557 or log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com.

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