All About Racing

2023 Track Champion, Demetrios Drellos of Queensbury celebrates his first win this season at Albany-Saratoga. Biittig Photo

Mike Maresca of Potsdam, 2020 Track Champion, recorded his second win this season at Fonda on Saturday. Biittig Photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

If anyone happened to catch the WNYT channel 13 news in Albany on Monday evening they heard the story that Albany-Saratoga Speedway may be nearing the final finish line. According to the report a developer is interested in developing the land and is in the process of getting approval from the town. The report further stated that the track would continue to run races through this summer and next. By the time you read this, there will be much more information running through the racing community. Keep your eyes on social media sites.

Michael Maresca recorded another win this past Saturday in the Modified feature at Fonda. The 2020 Fonda Track Champion was the winner of the Lou Lazzaro Memorial the last time the track ran a complete program on May 4th. Since that time, the racing at the track was cancelled to give time for the staff to work on the track surface. Scheduled to resume racing on May 25th, Memorial Weekend the night’s racing was cut short due to rain.

Along with the regular show on Saturday Fonda ran two make-up features from the rain-shortened event on April 27, Sportsman and Pro Stocks. Winner of the Sportsman was Chad Edwards and Pro Stock winner was Jason Morrison.

Other winners were: Crate 602 Sportsman, Payton Talbot; Pro Stocks, AJ Walters; Limited Sportsman, Josh Coonradt; Four Cylinders, single cam, Ken Hollenbeck, Four Cylinder, dual cam, Jay Ingersoll. Coonradt announced in victory lane that he will be moving up to Crate 602 Sportsman this week.

This Saturday at Fonda is M.W. Roosevelt & Son/Roosevelt Towing sponsored Dave Lape Memorial Night featuring two 22-lap features for Modifieds, paying $2,222 to win each feature plus many other bonuses.

All other divisions will also be in action along with make-up features from April 27 for Limited Sportsman and May 25 Crate 602 Sportsman. The Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series will also race and it’s also NYSSCA (New York State Stock Car Association) Night with the organization giving out bonuses to member drivers in each division.

Friday at Albany-Saratoga winners were: Modified, Demetrios Drellos; Sportsman, Joey Scarborough; Pro Stock, Brandon Emigh; Limited Sporstman, Tanner Coon; Street Stock, Jason Meltz; Four Cylinder, Adam Montville.

This Friday at Albany-Saratoga the Extreme DirtCar DMA Midgets plus Sportsman run for $1500 and Pro Stocks for $1000. All other divisions are also in action.

Glen Ridge hosted the DIRTcar Series for 358 Mods on Sunday with a capacity crowd of fans to enjoy the great racing. Lance Willix of Theresa, NY was the winner holding off Stewart Friesen and Jordan McCreadie by 0.355 seconds at the line.

Other winners on Sunday were: Sportsman, Zach Buff; Limited Sportsman, Josh Coonradt; Pro Stocks, Slater Baker; Street Stocks, Jason Samrov; Mini Stocks, Stephen Walters, single cam; Paul Botchotts, dual cam; All-Star Slingshots, A. J. Albreada; JR Slingshots, Preston Trautschold.

This Sunday at The Ridge the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series presented by Yurewecz Auto Crushers will be the main attraction plus all other divisions will be in action.

Local notables at Fonda this past weekend were: Josh Kane of Esperance placed third in the make-up Sportsman and seventh in the night’s Sportsman feature; Ivan Joslin of Fonda placed fourth in Pro Stocks; Jim Mallia of Middleburgh was eighth in Limited Sportsman.

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