OUT IN FRONT — Jimmy Phelps uses the low groove to keep Mat Shepherd, top, in second place in Sunday’s 50-lap modified feature event at Utica-Rome Speedway. Phelps scored his first victory at the Vernon oval. (Sentinel photo by John Clifford)

BREAKTHROUGH WIN — Jimmy Phelps celebrates in victory lane after winning the 50-lap modified feature at Utica-Rome Speedway on Sunday night. It was his first feature win at the track. (Sentinel photo by John Clifford)

VERNON — Jimmy Phelps won at Utica-Rome Speedway for the first time as he captured the featured modified event on Sunday during a special "J.J. Michaels Remembered" racing program.

Phelps collected the $5,000 to win 50-lap event over runner-up Matt Sheppard, while Alan Johnson took third, Brett Hearn finished fourth and Mike Mahaney collected the fifth spot.

Defending track champion Matt Janczuk got by Joe Harrington on the 10th lap and raced away to his second consecutive sportsman feature win.

Craig Pope finished second, Jeff Leslie raced to third and Rome native Chris Mackey finished in sixth.

Tom Denton passed by Pete Stefanski with eight laps remaining to claim the 20-lap pro stock feature, as Jeff Pastorella finished second and Stefanski came in third.

Chris Cunningham made an outside pass on the final lap and edged Rick Breed to the line in a side-by-side battle to win the pure stock feature, as Rob Hawker raced to third.

The racing program was named in honor of Michaels, a popular driver at the speedway who died in 2005 after a brief illness.

The speedway will host a regular show of modifieds, sportsman, pro stocks and pure stocks next Sunday.

Gates open at 3:30 p.m. and racing begins at 6 o’clock.