All About Racing

Tyler Rapp of East Berne celebrated his first win of the season, second at the track, in Limited Sportsman at Albany-Saratoga on Friday. Biittig photo

Beau Ballard and family of Stamford had reason to celebrate again this week. On Friday Ballard was crowned Pro Stock Championship for 2024 at Albany-Saratoga. Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

Friday at Albany-Saratoga it was championship night in the Modified and Pro Stock divisions and the first time wins for some of the next generation of drivers in other divisions.

Winners were Marc Johnson, Modifieds; Tyler Rapp, 602 Sportsman; Colton Emigh, Limited Sportsman; Kyle Hoard, Pro Stocks; PJ Cram, Jr., Street Stocks; Adam Montville, dual cam, Four Cylinder, Kyle Lanfear, single cam.

Champions crowned on Friday were Peter Britten, Modifieds; Tim Hartman, 602 Sportsman; Beau Ballard, Pro Stocks. For Britten it was his second title at Malta, Hartman’s was his fifth.

Beau Ballard of Stamford captured the Pro Stock Championship in his first year of competition at the “Great Race Place”. Beau’s eight consecutive weeks of top five finishes are what help propel him to the title. The Pro Stock division at Malta are some of the best and most experienced drivers and veterans of our sport in the division. Going into Friday night’s race, Ballard was eight points ahead of Brandon Emigh, so it wasn’t a walk in the park for Ballard. It was his championship to hold onto and he did with his sixth-place finish over Emigh who finished tenth.

The winner in the Crate Sportsman feature was Tyler Rapp, driver of the No. 2A. The win was Tyler’s second at Malta and his first this year.

Tyler says he has been racing for eight years and only races at Albany-Saratoga. He lives in East Berne and is a financial advisor by day. He said this year has been tough and it felt great to be in victory lane.

When we asked about the BDR Speed on the rear quarter panels, he said Brett Deyo came forward last year when he really needed it. Other sponsors are Trinity Construction, Inc., and Broadway Advisor Group.

The Modified champion was pretty much settled as soon as Peter Britten came out for the feature. The closest driver in points to Peter was Marc Johnson. Marc won the feature, which was the most he could do but it was still Britten that got the title. Britten was also champion in 2017 at Malta. Marc Johnson has two championships at the track and is now tied for tenth on the all-time win list with the legendary Dave Lape with 25.

With over 40 Modifieds in the pit area on Saturday for the SDS, Mr. Dirt Track USA at Lebanon Valley, Mother Nature took control and now as of this writing the track is still trying to work something out and requests that those in attendance hang onto your tickets, wristbands and/or 50/50 raffle tickets. There will be an announcement soon.

What was clear is the Pro Stock class has finished their 2024 season. Zach Sorrentino entered what was supposed to be the season finale Saturday night with a two-point lead over Nick Hilt. The rainout means that Sorrentino will claim his first Pro Stock championship.

There is one more week of racing at Lebanon Valley Speedway scheduled for Sept. 7. The champions in the 358 Modified, Sportsman, Limited Sportsman, Super Street Stock and 4-Cylinder classes will officially be crowned.

This Friday at Albany-Saratoga the $10,000 to win Pro Stock Autism Awareness event, plus 358 Modified Shootout, and a change to the original schedule will bring the Modifieds, Sportsman, Limited Sportsman. NO Four Cylinders or RUSH Late Models.

Utica-Rome is not racing for the next two Friday nights, September 6 and 13. They will come back with the Empire State Showdown, two days of racing that includes 602 Crate Sportsman, IMCA Modifieds, Limited Sportsman, Four Cylinder, dual and single cam, Slingshots, All-Star and JR.

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