UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY SET TO GO RACING THIS SUNDAY APRIL 20 VERNON, NY- With some cooperation from Mother Nature, the 2008 racing season will get underway this Sunday April 20 at the Utica-Rome Speedway. The first of five stops of the SUNY Canton Street/Pure Stock Series is planned this Sunday as well as the first point events for the Sportsman and Pro Stocks. The headline 358-Modified division will have an open practice session. Gates will open this Sunday at 3 p.m. with racing set to go at 5:30 p.m. Paying a large sum of $1,000 to win with the runner-up netting $500, the SUNY Canton Street Stock Series should draw some of the best Street/Pure Stock drivers in the region. In cooperation with Caprara’s Thunder Alley Speedpark and Can Am Motorsports Park, the Utica-Rome Speedway will run five events of the 15 event SUNY Canton Series with the point leader being awarded $1,500 at the conclusion of the series. The top 30 will also be eligible to compete for 24 foot enclosed trailer. Information on the SUNY Canton Street Stock Series can be obtained by calling Chip Burdick at (315) 778-3407 while tech questions should be directed to Lloyd Larmon at (315) 767-7819. All Utica-Rome Speedway competitors will get 25 points towards the speedway’s Pure Stock championship. The Sportsman and Pro Stocks will also be in action, competing in their first point events of the season. Mike Button will be looking to grab his third consecutive Sportsman title, while it is rumored that five time and defending Pro Stock champion, Jerry Holmes, will in fact be back to try to snare another title. The 358-Modifieds are invited to practice this Sunday, to get ready for their opening event on April 27. Fans and competitors alike will once again see improvements to the Gene Cole owned facility when they arrive for the first time this season. An all new front stretch wall has been put in place, with cement blocks replacing the boiler plate wall. On the backstretch, new guardrail has been put up, replacing the older rail. The most exciting improvement, however, is the new five position Daktronics scoreboard that will erected in turn three of the half mile oval. Placed for maximum viewing for fans and competitors alike, the addition of the scoreboard will greatly enhance the night’s action for everybody. Speedway management hopes to have the scoreboard operational by the opener.