All About Racing

Winner of the Sunflower 50, Travis Whitbeck, Brett Mortensen (second) and Tim Hartman, Jr. (third) pose for photos after Sunday’s charity go-kart race. Biittig photo

Cameron Hotaling celebrates his win in Limited Sportsman on his first night racing at Albany-Saratoga on Friday. Biittig photo

By Ed & Betty Biittig

Local tracks are concluding their season, and track champions for 2025 are being crowned and the Fall schedules of special events begin, culminating in Super DIRT Week in October at Oswego.

Friday at Albany-Saratoga, two drivers earned their first victories at the track. Josh Masterson of Bristol, VT won the Modified main event, marking his first win in only his second season. Cameron Hotaling of Schoharie secured the Limited Sportsman win in his debut at the Malta oval. Other winners at Malta on Friday were, Tim Hartman, Jr., (Sportsman), Pete Stefanski (Pro Stocks), PJ Cram (Street Stocks) and Adam Montville, (Four Cylinder. Dual cam), Damian Ward (single cam).

Utica-Rome Speedway crowned the 2025 track champions on Friday and Matt Sheppard of Savannah, NY won the Modified crown his ninth title at the track. He also won the Modified feature; Payton Talbot was the winner of the Sportsman feature and was the 2025 Sportsman champion; Luke Horning was the Pro Stock champion and also won the main event; Mike Lowe took the win in the Limited Sportsman and Jayden Wust took the track title; Champions in the Four Cylinders were Rudy King (dual cam) and Wayne Russell, Jr. (single cam). Brett Putnam took the All-Star Slingshot track title and in Junior Slingshots it was Preston Trautschold with the crown for 2025.

At Lebanon Valley Speedway on Saturday, the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series held the annual Ol’ Buzzard 30 in honor of Jimmy Langenback and Bobby Chalmers. A field of 31 turned up for a big race and when all was said and done, veteran racer, Frank Twing of Mill River, MA stood in victory lane after a hard-fought battle with several of the DIRTcar series competitors and Valley regulars. Other winners at Lebanon Valley were Marc Johnson (Modified), Andy Bachetti (358-Modified) AJ Albreada (Sportsman), Dylan Holmes (Limited Sportsman), Chris Stalker (Street Stock).

The 5th Annual Sunflower 50 charity go-kart race took place Sunday at Hightower Raceway in Broadalbin, raising funds for Operation at Ease. The event drew 60 entries, with John Stanley and Chris Moore serving as the announcing team. Travis Whitbeck of Brunswick won the 50-lap main event, joined on the podium by Brett Mortensen and Tim Hartman, Jr.

Looking Ahead:

On Thursday, August 28, Lebanon Valley will host the annual Mr. Dirt Track USA, a Modified Super DIRTcar Series event.

This Friday, August 29 at Albany-Saratoga is the final night of points and champions will be crowned for Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stocks divisions. The 358-Mod Shoot Out is on the schedule plus all other divisions.

This Sunday, August 31, Utica-Rome has the annual Cole Cup for ESS Sprints plus Limited Sportsman and Four Cylinders.

Also on Sunday, the Short Track Super Series will move into Afton Raceway for a 50-lap event paying $5050 to win. All other weekly divisions are in action plus a gigantic fireworks display.

At Glen Ridge on Sunday, double features for 358-Mods plus racing for all other divisions.

A note regarding a couple of competitors who have moved to Late Model racing. Brock Pinkerous of Ellenville was the winner of a Super Late Model feature on Saturday, August 23 at Stateline Speedway in Busti, NY. Demetios Drellos of Queensbury finished sixth in the RUSH Late Model feature at McKean County Speedway in East Smethport, PA on Friday night.

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