By Ed & Betty Biittig
Racing has moved from regular season weekly racing to specials that include two-day events culminating with Super DIRT Week at Oswego in October.
Friday and Saturday this past weekend Malta Massive Weekend came to the Albany-Saratoga Speedway to wrap up a big 60th anniversary year for the popular dirt track that was built as an asphalt track and has been transformed into a dirt track twice during its storied history.
Racing on Friday included the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series and Marc Johnson of Guilderland recorded his first ever DIRTcar Series victory of his career. “It’s about time,” Johnson said in victory lane. He took home $4000 for the win and a pro-wrestling inspired belt given to the weekend winners. Other winners were Connor Crane, Sportsman; Chris Stalker, Street Stocks; and Josh Reome, Four Cylinders, dual cam with Damian Ward, single cam winner.
Connor Prokop of Middleburgh began his racing career in go-karts at Dodge City Speedway in Howes Cave. After moving into Sportsman he has competed at several tracks, including Glen Ridge, Afton, Lebanon Valley, Albany-Saratoga with wins at Utica-Rome, Accord and Fonda. Connor’s 2025 season has included a range of results, with improved performance as the year progressed. At Lebanon Valley, he recorded third and fourth-place finishes. During Malta Massive Weekend on Friday, Connor was third fastest in time trials and took third place in his heat among 53 competitors. In the feature race, going over the cushion affected his final standing outside the top ten. He is preparing to run at Super DIRT Week in October at Oswego Speedway.
Saturday night a big announcement from Promoter Lyle DeVore on the frontstretch brought roaring enthusiastic applause from the packed grandstand. The Malta oval will race in 2026.
Saturday racing included the 100-lap Super DIRTcar Series event for Modifieds and after a young fan drew the pole for Matt Sheppard of Savannah, NY he led from flag-to-flag and took home the $10,000 prize. Because Sheppard already had a guaranteed starting spot for the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 at Super DIRT Week the spot went to Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville, NY who finished second. Third on the podium was Anthony Perrego of Wallkill, NY. Other winners on Saturday were Brandon Emigh, Pro Stocks and Alex Smith, Limited Sportsman.
Sunday the Modifieds hit the track at Brookfield Speedway on the Madison County Fairgrounds and winner of the first ever Modified event was Danny Creeden of Wurtsboro. Other winners were Kyle Fallis, All Star Slingshots, Blake Banek, JR Slingshots; Kamrin Krause, Four Cylinder, dual cam, Jamie Warner, single cam; Matt Richardson, Sportsman.
This weekend, Fonda closes its season with the Montgomery County Open on September 26 & 27. Friday features 358-Modifieds, Limited Sportsman, Street Stocks, Four Cylinders, and STSS practice. Saturday includes STSS Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Four Cylinders.
Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com
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