News Director 
Story By: JOHN TIFF / UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY – VERNON, NY – Even with the winter winds still blowing, the Utica-Rome Speedway is busy preparing for an ambitious 2019 season at the track.
The full schedule is set to be released in the coming days, but as the details are finalized about the rest of our schedule start you planning now as the season is slated for Sunday, April 14 with the Spring Break Shootout.
The Spring Break Shootout is highlighted by the return of the Big-Block Modifieds as well as the DirtTrackDigest.com DIRTcar 358-Modifieds, Broedel Energy DIRTcar Sportsman and the Ted’s Body Shop DIRTcar Pro Stocks.
The Big-Blocks will compete in a 30-lap main-event with $2,500 going to the winner. The DirtTrackDigest.com DIRTcar 358-Modifieds will have their own 30-lap feature with $1,500 on the line as well which serves as the first official full-point event of the 2019 season. Drivers are allowed to compete in both feature events by paying an additional entry fee.
The Broedel Energy DIRTcar Sportsman are slated for a 20-lap feature with a 20-lap nightcap for the Ted’s Body Shop DIRTcar Pro Stocks. Both of these are features are the official start to the 2019 points chase as well.
In 2018 it was former multi-time track Matt Sheppard starting the season strong by winning on opening day after a thrilling duel with Fort Plain, N.Y., driver Jeremy Wilder. Sheppard also scored a win late in the season when the big-block Modfieds returned as part of the Jan Corcoran Memorial. Jimmy Phelps was the only other big-block Modified winner as he earned top honors by dominating the Freedom Fighter 100 for the Super DIRTcar Series.
Also taking opening day triumphs in 2018 were AJ Filbeck in the Broedel Energy DIRTcar Sportsman as and Mike Welch in the Ted’s Body Shop DIRTcar Pro Stocks.
Drivers looking for an opportunity to take the track before the season officially gets rolling on April 14 will have that chance on Sunday, April 7. The scheduled go time for practice is 2pm with gates opening at noon. All divisions are welcome to take to the speedway.
Gates open at 3:30pm with the heat races beginning promptly at 6pm for the Spring Break Shootout. Adult general admission for the opener is set at $20 with seniors/military members/students 17-18 just $18 while kids 16 and under are free.
