Ward, Sheppard victorious at U-RS

Fans at Utica-Rome Speed way were treated to a double feature for the Gates-Cole Auto Insurance Modifieds, the $1,000 to win Mike Martin Memorial for Broedel Energy Sportsman plus Pro Stocks on Sunday night. Pat Ward scored his first win of season in the first Modified 30-lap event while Matt Sheppard dominated the second feature. Dave Marcuccilli was the victor in the Sportsman while Mike Welch dominated the Pro Stock main on A-Verdi Storage Containers, LaLonde Electric and VP Race Fuels night.

In the makeup Gates-Cole Auto Insurance Modified feature from June 18, Steve Way used his pole starting spot to take the lead, a spot he held for the opening two circuits when the only caution of the event slowed the pace.

On the restart, sixth place starter Claude Hutchings Jr. blasted by Way to take the lead and he immediately started to pull away. After destroying a car two weeks ago, Hutchings built a brand-new car and he had it operating to perfection as he set a quick pace around the half mile. While Hutchings led, seventh place starter Alan Johnson and 11th place starter Ward were charging through the field. By lap five, Johnson was third with Ward in fourth and pressing for the third position. Ward slipped by Johnson for third on the seventh circuit and then by second place running Way a lap later.

As the field completed the 15th lap of the 30-lap event, Ward was reeling in Hutchings and on his rear bumper. Following Hutchings and Ward at halfway was Johnson, Bobby Varin, and 14th place starter Sheppard. When lap 17 clicked on the scoreboard, Ward was scored the leader as he charged by Hutchings. At this point, Sheppard was continuing his charge to the front as he slipped by Varin for fourth on lap 16. Sheppard’s late race charge would fall short however, as by the time he grabbed the runner-up spot from Hutchings on lap 29, Ward was no where to be found as he was way out front.

In the Gates-Cole Auto Insurance Modified 30-lap nightcap, Brandon Walters took the lead on the first lap and, using the high line around the speedway, would hold on to the lead for the opening nine circuits until sixth place starter Tim Fuller took over the point. Sheppard, again starting in the 14th spot, was on a mission as broke into the top five on lap seven and by lap 13, he was into the second spot. At halfway, it was Fuller over Sheppard, Walters, Greene, and Rob Bellinger.

Lap after lap, Sheppard chipped away at Fuller’s advantage until he was able to pull alongside Fuller and get by to lead lap 20. Sheppard easily pulled away fromthe field as he raced to his third win of the season.

In the Mike Martin Memorial for the Broedel Energy Sportsman, Kevin Root grabbed the lead on the opening lap from his pole starting spot with fellow front row starter Kyle Inman in close pursuit. The opening laps of the 20-lap main event saw a crowdpleasing battle between Root, Inman, Chris Mackey and 10th place starter Marcuccilli all battling for the top spot. In man was able to wrestle the lead away from Root on lap nine and at the halfway point it was Inman, Root, Marcuccilli and Rocky Warner. Lap 11 saw Marcuccilli slip by Root for second and on lap 15 he was able to wrestle the lead away from Inman. At the point, it was all Marcuccilli as he raced to the $1,000 victory for his second win of the season at Utica-Rome. With the win, Marcuccilli is the only guaranteed starter for the $5,000 to win Ultimate Sportsman Showdown on Sunday July 23.

The Pro Stock 20-lap feature saw Bill Knapp lead the opening five laps from his fourth starting spot but Welch, fromthe eighth spot, took over the lead on lap six. From that point, Welch dominated the remainder of the race as he easily raced to his third consecutive win.

The biggest Sportsman event of the year comes to Utica-Rome Speedway on Sunday, July 23, with the $5,000 to win Ultimate Sportsman Showdown. The 50-lap main event will pay a minimum of $500 to start while the scheduled B, C, and D Mains (number of mains is dependent on car count) will also pay out. The pit gates will open at 4 p.m., grandstands at 4:30 p.m., with racing set to begin at 7 p.m. Grandstand admission for this event is only $13 for adults while children 16 and under are free. For more information on this event, please visit www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway at (315) 829-4557.