Albany-Saratoga Gets Things Underway With Practice
Column By: DYLAN FRIEBEL / RPW – MALTA, NY – On Friday night, I got the chance to attend Albany-Saratoga Speedway’s opening practice before I start my normal Friday night routine…wherever that may be this year.
The track was fast for the first flights of Sportsman and Modifieds. It slickened off towards the end of the evening though.
It was nice to see Peter Britten back on the speedway grounds this year. “Batman” finishing 2nd in points to Brett Hearn in 2014 and was 4th in 2015 behind Kenny Tremont, Brett Hearn and Marc Johnson. He took a year off from Malta while running for HBR last season, only running the ‘Great Race Place’ three times taking one win and finishing no worse than 12th.
Peter’s always been a fan favorite, but it will be wierd seeing him in a different number. He’s not using his customary 21A or the 14B he ran here for several season. In 2017, he’ll be behind the wheel of the No. 97 Andy’s Service Troyer machine.
The ‘White Knight’ Marc Johnson is back for the 2017 campaign and is ready to defend his point championship from 2016. I got to catch up with him on Friday to talk about the upcoming season. Stay tuned to RPW for that conversation.
Scott Duell switched has made the switch from the Lazzaro Motorsports operation to the Dodson No.14x car this year and looked good on track Friday night. Talking about the Duell Family, Kim was there with his sharp-looking #14 Curtis Lumber Pro Stock.
Missing from the practice was the Madsen Motorsports car of Brett Hearn, the #115 of Kenny Tremont, the #3D of Matt Delorenzo. who has been a track regular since it went back to dirt and of course, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Driver Stewart Friesen who has plans to make several appearnces at the track this season.
Keith Flach was there with his #43. The “77” is still inside the 43, honoring his brother JC. I got a chance to talk with Keith’s wife, Chelsea, and she said they are excited for the 2017 season and returning to the Super DIRTcar Series as well.
I also had the chance to talk with someone unknown at Albany-Saratoga, the driver of the #37 Barber Racing car, Justin Barber. He is excited for the new, fresh season and has a nice new paint job ready to go this season.
Two-time 602 Northeast Crate Nationals Champion Tim Hartman Jr. was there with the his Parillo Services sponsored No.22 and the Kolar Motorsports No.10% car shaking them down.
It was nice to see Jeremy Wilder at the track, who announced this winter that the “Great Race Place” will be his new Friday night home.
Also missing from the track was Chris Schaffer, who just announced today on Facebook that he is retired from racing to take care of his daughter, I wish him the best.
The “Great Race Place” had an amazing turn out of cars and will open their 2017 season next Friday April 21st, with a $3,000-to-win Modified feature and all weekly divisions. $10 Admissions.
I will have some of my photos from practice in the Photo Gallery soon.
