All About Racing

Ivan Joslin of Fonda celebrates his win in the Pro Stock event at Glen Ridge on Sunday with a roof dance. Biittig photo

Cody Ochs of Rensselaer recorded his first DIRTcar Sportsman Series East Region win on Sunday at Glen Ridge. Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

The High Limit Sprint tour was the highlight of racing at Utica-Rome on Friday night and Rico Abrue of California was the winner in the green to checker 25-lap event giving him his first win on the series this season.

The track drew a huge crowd at the event, the second night of racing for the High Limit series in New York. Thursday night they raced at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee, NY and Brad Sweet was the winner.

The Modified feature at Utica-Rome on Friday was a crowd pleaser. Veteran and Hall of Famer, Pat Ward of Genoa, NY held off Alex Yankowski and Matt Sheppard for his 150th career win, his 27th win at the Vernon oval. The win also gave Ward the distinction of being the oldest driver to win a Modified feature at Utica-Rome besting Jack Johnson by three years.

Utica-Rome held a non-point event on Saturday night and several Fonda drivers made the trip to the Vernon oval. It turned out to be a great night for the Warner family. Dad, Rocky was the winner of the Modified main event and his young son, Corky picked up his first win in the Limited Sportsman, son Tanner finished third in the Sportsman division.

At Albany-Saratoga on Friday Jack Lehner recorded his first win of the season in the Modified event. Veteran racer, Brett Hearn started the event in the second row and after battling with Johnson, Drellos and Lehner, took the lead on lap 24 but the win wasn’t to be for the tracks’ most winning driver, Hearn finished, third at the checker. Winner of the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series event was Brandon Emigh.

Other winners on Friday at Albany-Saratoga were: Cody Bleau, Sportsman; Josh Coonradt, Limited Sportsman; Jimmy Duncan, Street Stocks; Adam Montville, Four cylinder, dual cam; Kyle Lamfear, single cam.

On Sunday Glen Ridge held a DIRTcar Sportsman Series race and Cody Ochs recorded his first win in the East Region, giving him seven total wins at The Ridge.

Ivan Joslin was the winner of the Pro Stock event, his first win for car owner, Bill Yurkewecz and his 13th win at the track. Ivan was driving his 22-year-old Cannizzaro chassis.

Other winners and Glen Ridge were: Kevin Stevens, 358 Modifieds; Josh Coonradt, Limited Sportsman; Slappy White, Jason Samrov, Street Stock; Four Cylinder, dual cam; Stephen Walters, single cam; Justin House, All Star Slingshots; Lucas Cole, JR. Slingshots.

Racing This Weekend:

Friday at Albany-Saratoga, 358 Modified Shoot Out, plus Pro Stocks and Sportsman run for $1000, plus all other divisions.

Friday at Utica-Rome all divisions plus the MVVDMS. (vintage racers)

Two recent trips to Fonda Speedway and we witnessed the efforts being put into the surface to improve the conditions. Weather and track conditions permitting, Fonda will race this Saturday, May 25, when the Pro Stocks will run for $1000 with all other divisions on the racing card.

At Lebanon Valley, military appreciation night, with all divisions in action.

Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com.