All About Racing

Andy Graves of Middleburgh celebrates his win in Pro Stocks on Saturday at Utica-Rome. Facebook photo

Demetrios Drellos of Queensbury was joined by two young fans to celebrate in victory lane on Friday at Albany-Saratoga. Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

Friday we were at Albany-Saratoga for Demetrios Drellos’s second win of the season at the track. The 2023 Modified Track Champion has been struggling to get his modified racing back on a winning note while he has been traveling to race his Late Model locally and in Pennsylvania.

While in the victory lane celebrating with his family and crew, Demetrios noticed some young fans cheering him from the outside of the fence. He walked over to the fence and handed one of them the winner’s trophy he had just received and then asked the track official to open the gate so the young fans could join him in victory lane for a photo.

Other winners on Friday at the “Great Race Place” were Connor Crane, 602 Sportsman; Rob Yetman, Pro Stocks; Nick Brundige, Limited Sportsman; Jimmy Duncan, Street Stocks; John Reome, Four Cylinder (dual cam) and Ben Ladd (single cam). The win for Yetman put him back on top of the all-time win list with 31 wins and breaking the tie with Kim Duell for the top spot.

Watching Rob Yetman visit victory lane in his familiar No. 7 Pro Stock at Malta we asked him if he would like to return to Oswego in October. He said, he didn’t know right now. Rob has been racing only occasionally this season and said he was extremely happy to make it to victory lane on Friday.

Andy Graves of Middleburgh was the best in the Pro Stock field at Utica-Rome on Saturday. Picking up $1000 for his effort. Graves was driving the No. 96, Yurkewecz Auto Crusher Pro Stock owned by Bill and Cindy Yurkewecz. Graves was coming back from a bad wreck the week before, that necessitated the rebuilding of the car. Graves bested Luke Horning, Bret Belden, Shayne Playford and A. J. Walters to take his second win at the Vernon oval and his first this season. Graves weekend also included an eighth-place finish at Albany-Saratoga on Friday.

Andy Graves has been racing for nearly 20 years at local tracks, first in the Four Cylinder division and then moving up to the Pro Stocks. His career wins show 14 in Four Cylinder and seven in Pro Stocks at Glen Ridge and two at Utica-Rome.

Other winners at Utica-Rome on Saturday were, Matt Sheppard, Modifieds, Michael Maresca took Thunder on the Thruway title; Payton Talbot won the 602 Sportsman and the Thunder on the Thruway title. Kenny Gates took the Thunder on the Thruway Series title in the Pro Stock division. Billy VanInwegen took home the $5000 win in the Empire Super Sprints (ESS)

N.E.S.C.O.T. (Northeast Stock Car Old Timers) held their annual steak and chicken bake on Sunday at the Nassau Sportsman’s Club and over 150 people attended for some great food, raffles and conversations. N.E.S.C.O.T. also awarded their annual SAM (Superior Achievement in Motorsports) awards. Those receiving honors this year were Ken “Abe” Tremont, Sr., Hertha & Marty Beberwyk, Gary Waters, Kip Walsh, Mike Romano, and Lyle Devore.

Coming up this weekend at Albany-Saratoga is the “Crazy Horse Mod Clash” along with $1200 to win for Pro Stocks and Sportsman.

This Friday at Utica-Rome racing for all divisions plus M2 Metals Crate Late Models & Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modifieds – Pro Stock Meet & Greet

This Sunday at Glen Ridge the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series will bring invaders to the competition plus all other divisions.

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