Written by Chris Moore

VERNON, NY – It’s Richie Evans Race Week!

Racing fires back to life at Utica-Rome Speedway this Thursday, July 21 in a big way. The Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco invades the ‘Home of Heroes’ for the ‘Richie Evans Remembered 61.’

The STSS big-block/small-block Modified stars of the STSS race for a $6,100-plus top prize in the 61-lap affair. The No. ‘61’ will be heavily featured throughout the night, honoring one of Utica-Rome’s greatest drivers, NASCAR Hall-of-Famer Richie Evans.

The ‘Richie Evans Remembered’ is the first of two appearances by the STSS in 2022. The next comes on Sunday, Sept. 4 in the $25,000-to-win ‘New Yorker’ event.

Savannah, N.Y.’s Matt Sheppard not only leads the Sunoco Modified standings entering Thursday night, but he also leads the STSS River Valley Builders North Region brigade into the affair.

The Thursday night special will carry 25 show up points for both the Modifieds and Crate 602 Sportsman in Utica-Rome Speedway standings.

Sheppard leads all competitors with six Sunoco Modified wins to his credit in 2022 at Utica-Rome Speedway.

Defending ‘Richie Evans Remembered’ winner Stewart Friesen is fresh off his second win of the season at Utica-Rome, coincidentally bringing him to 61 career wins.

Durhamville, N.Y.’s Matt Janczuk leads the Worthington Industries Crate 602 Sportsman competitors of Utica-Rome Speedway against the outsiders of the STSS.

Janczuk picked up his fifth win of the season this past Friday night, moving him into the point lead, and matching South New Berlin, N.Y.’s Payton Talbot atop the win list for the division.

Talbot also enters the affair sitting third in the STSS Crate 602 Sportsman standings in the Precision Hydraulic & Oil North Region.

Cream Ridge, N.J.’s Steve Davis is the current STSS point leader.

The Next Generation Graphix Pro Stocks, Fastline Performance Limited Sportsman, Fonda Fair Four Cylinders, Senior Services Inc. All-Star Slingshots, and D&S Landscaping Junior Slingshots return to action on Friday, July 29 at Utica-Rome Speedway.

For the July 21 program, all gates open at 4 p.m. Hot laps are slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. with racing to follow at 7:15 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $25 for Adults and $23 for Seniors (ages 65 and above). Kids 11 and under get in FREE.

Pit Admission is $35 for Utica-Rome Speedway members and $40 for non-members. Kids (ages 6-12) get in for $10 and Children (ages 5 and under) are admitted for $2.

The entire night of racing will air live and on-demand on FloRacing (www.floracing.tv).

Utica-Rome Speedway is located at 5591 NY-5 (Seneca Turnpike) Vernon, NY 13476. The official website is www.uticaromespeedway.com and can be reached by phone at 315.953.4097.  Like Utica-Rome Speedway on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @UR_Speedway.