Auto Racing News

By Tom Coughlin

Some Sad news to pass along as we learned this week of the passing of legendary car owner/sponsor Dave Cruikshank a.k.a. Dover Dave. Mr. Cruikshank through his business Dover Brake & Clutch of Lake Hopatcong, N.J. was involved with Hall of Fame modified driver Buzzie Reutimann for many decades. Together they won the first two (1972,1973) Schaefer 100’s at the New York State Fairgrounds one mile oval near Syracuse, N.Y. along with many other titles and championships up and down the east coast from Florida to Canada. Dover Dave as he was known by thousands also was heavily involved with our local racing area as he has been a long time supporter of the modified and sprint car programs of the father and son teams of Bobby and Danny Varin. We send out our condolences to the Cruikshank and Varin families.

Tonight at Albany-Saratoga Speedway the RUSH Late Model Series will make their first appearance of 2024, joining a full card of weekly divisions. A number of area drivers are expected to compete in the RUSH program including A.J. Miller, Demetrios Drellos, and Brock Pinkerous. Pit gates open at 4:00 pm. Grandstands at 5:00 pm. Racing at 7:00 pm.

Tonight Utica-Rome Speedway will have a full program of weekly divisions, plus the slingshot divisions are added. Gates open at 5:30 pm., hot laps at 6:45 pm., racing at 7:30 pm.

Fonda had tentatively scheduled an open practice for Tuesday, but canceled that on Monday.

Fonda has their opening night planned for tomorrow with a full program of weekly divisions. Pit gates will open at 3:00 pm., grandstands at 4:00 pm., hot laps at 6:00 pm., and racing at 7:00 pm.

Glen Ridge Motorsports Park has an open practice tentatively scheduled for Sunday afternoon. This practice may start earlier than the following times, but for race days the following times will be used. Race days will use the following start times. Pit gates will open at 3:00 pm., grandstands at 4:00 pm., hot laps at 5:30 pm., and racing at 6:00 pm.

Another annual event to mark on your calendar is the Gas-Up in Gallupville. This year’s schedule will be the first two weekends in June. Show hours each day are 10:00 am. until 5:00 pm.

JB Photography who are the track photographers at Utica-Rome Speedway and Fonda Speedway are offering a special digital photo package to drivers. Photographers Jeff Karabin and Brittany Nelson offer a weekly subscription for this service. If your team is interested, please get in contact with either Jeff or Brittany.

Results from this past week’s race events.

Albany-Saratoga Speedway announced at 1:00 pm. on Friday, that everything was a go and just like on que it started to rain in the Amsterdam area at 4:00 pm. However, promoter Lyle DeVore and crew hung in and with only about a half hour delay, they got the show in In the 35-lap NAPA modified division feature Stewart Friesen who had an off weekend from the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and also a rainout at Utica-Rome Speedway would claim the winner's check of $3,000. Marc Johnson, Peter Britten, Jack Speshock, and Ronnie Johnson completed the top five. Friesen also won the opener in 2012 and 2017 at the Route 9, Malta oval The 25-lap Ideal Excavating crate 602 sportsman division feature was led flag to flag by Joey Scarborough, with Mike Coffey Jr. and Chris Jakubiak filling out the podium.

The Saratoga Masonry Supply 25-lap pro-stock feature saw Brandon Emigh earn the victory over Chuck Dumblewski, and Jay Corbin.

In the Haun Welding limited sportsman division Chase Zimmerman won the 25-lap feature, over Nick Auspelmyer and Dakota Green.

P.J. Cram Jr. scored the 20-lap Cornell’s Auto Parts Street stock division feature, with Jimmy Duncan and Chris Stalker completing the

podium.

For the Greg’s Towing 4 cylinder feature Kyle Lanfear won the single cam division and David Frame was the first dual cam division car across the line.

In western New York, The Outlaw Speedway near Dundee, saw Matt Sheppard claim the modified feature over Alex Payne, Mike Maresca, Bobby Varin,and Alan Johnson

On Saturday, A.J. Miller of Fultonville towed down to Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motorsports Speedway to compete in the RUSH Late Model Series. Unfortunately his night ended with a right rear flat tire on lap 15 in the 30-lap feature. Tim Shaffer won the event, with Brock Pinkerous in second.

Sunday at Utica-Rome Speedway Matt Sheppard earned his third consecutive Honoring Alex Memorial in the 30-lap modified feature. Mat Williamson, Rocky Warner, Alex Yankowski, and Mike Maresca completed the top five.

Cousin Luke Horning claimed the win in the Next Generation GraphiX pro-stock 20-lap feature over Brett Belden and A.J. Walters. Butchie Irwin won the Taylor’s Trailers LLC. crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature, with Matt Janczuk and Tyler Corcoran your top three.

In the Fastline Performance limited sportsman division 15-lap feature Josh Coonradt scored the victory over Eric Jensen and Carson Rothwell.

The Fonda Fair 4 cylinder division 12-lap feature was won by Corey Valade (dual cam) and Wayne Russell Jr.(single cam).