Speedway looking at Mother’s Day opener

After several rain delays, the Utica-Rome Speedway is gearing up for opening day this weekend.

VERNON, N.Y. » Although it eventually rained later in the afternoon on Sunday, May 6 at the Utica-Rome Speedway, cars were finally able to hit the track to turn laps on the new surface.

Eventually, a couple of rough spots developed late in the practice session, the track overall held up well for the nearly 30 cars that showed up to take to the half-mile oval.

Track crews now plan to take advantage of forecasted sunny weather early in the week to get the track surface into shape and ready for next week’s season opener on Mother’s Day, May 13.

“We really have to thank everyone that came out on Sunday to shake down their cars,” said speedway promoter Bill Shea. “We wanted to get some laps on the track and with their help we were able to do that. The track did just what we expected. We had a couple of spots that need our attention but we are confident that we are going to have a great track for next weekend’s opener.”

The DirtTrackDigest.com DIRTcar 358-Modified division was well represented by four drivers shaking down their cars for next week’s opener. Former Utica-Rome Speedway Sportsman champion Rocky Warner was the fastest of the afternoon for the 358-Modifieds with a lap of 19.220 with his Jake Spraker owner No. 1j. Bobby Varin, driving the Alton and Carole Palmer owned

FILE PHOTO – ONEIDA DAILY DISPATCH Fans fill the bleachers to watch a sprint car race on opening day at Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon on Sunday, April 23, 2017.