Peter Britten takes Victory Along With First Track Championship At Albany-Saratoga

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – MALTA, NY – Peter Britten, driving out of the Andy Romano stable, was setting his sights right out of the gate to show Friday night why he deserved the honor of being track champion at Albany-Saratoga.

Starting towards the back in his heat race, Britten showed that he had a potent hot rod as he dominated the qualifying race. Heading into the night’s action, he had a 15 point lead over Keith Flach so all he had to do was keep the #43 in his sights.

Britten’s Troyer #21 was hooked up on the low side, letting everyone know he was not only looking for the championship but the final night’s checkered flag.

The Modified feature saw Rich Ronca and Don Mattison take the mighty Modifieds to the green flag with Ronca grabbing the point for a few circuits. Then, Mattison took over the lead.

Meanwhile, Britten in his #21a was on the move from his 13th starting spot, getting to sixth by lap 13.

Up front it was Matt Delorenzo looking like the car to beat as he took the lead on lap 18 and appeared to be well in command. It was not until lap 31 when Britten, using the low side, hooked up and powered off the corner, moving by the 3D of Delorenzo and brought home the win along with the track champion in grand fashion.

Talking to Britten after the race, he was so proud to have the championship in an area so close for the Romano family.

“I’m so glad Andy called me up to see if I would race for him and here we are,” Britten said. “Talking to him, he said I love racing and I will do it for as long as I can.”

Romano has stated that the team will be back next year to defend their crown. Congrats to the whole Team for being 2017 track champions.

Rounding out the top five was Matt Delorenzo, Jeremy Wilder, Jessey Mueller and a strong run for Rich Ronca.

Talked to the Jet, Brett Hearn, after his big win on Thursday at Lebanon Valley, and he told me that he just couldn’t get the car hooked up. He had to settle for seventh on the night and finished fourth in points.

The Sportsman drivers took to the track knowing they could be $1,000 richer if they took home the victory in the Sowle Trailer Repair Event. Taking the green on the front row was Elliot Lussier and Mike Coffey. However, the caution came out on lap one with points leader Rocky Warner getting caught up in a may-lee in turns three and four. There was heavy damage to the 1j on the front stretch ending his night. He was still able to bring home the championship though.

As racing resumed, Connor Cleveland was driving his way to the front, but came up short in the end. It was all Jamike Sowle taking home the victory and keeping the money at home. He was a happy man in victory lane and thanked his dad and all the fans.

Rounding out the top five were Jeremy Pitts, Cleveland, Tim Hartman Jr. and David Shilling.

Limited Sportsman had a strong 22-car field with Paolo Pascarella coming home the win.

The Pro Stock feature had Nick Arnold taking the lead on the start of the race, but by lap six it was “Cousin Luke” Horning knocking on the door. It opened and he took the lead.

Kim Duell, after having a few bad races, looked as he was coming for Horning but just ran out of time. Horning got the victory and finally, after some very frustrating runs, got the monkey off his back. ‘Krazy’ Kenny Martin brought home his fifth career overall track championship and second at the speedway.

Talking to Martin after the race, he stated this was the plan all along for 2017.

“This is what we wanted,” Martin said. “It was our goal in the beginning of the year and we did it. We had a few set backs but in the end we got the job done.”

The house was packed and the fans got to see a great fireworks display.

One thing before I end this column. Friday was military night at the track and what a great salute by track management for all our military men and women as they were welcomed to the ‘Great Race Place’ with free admission. Hats off to you!

Thank you to all that have served and still are. I saw, in person, how grateful they were to be honored and treated to a great night of racing. I even overheard in the food line that someone bought a veteran fries and the vet was grateful for what they had done. What an awesome gesture.

Always remember, we are one nation, under God.

Great to see everybody last night. Until next time, see you at the races and, as always, please Be safe.

Friday, September 1, 2017 – Malta, NY – Modified Results (35 Laps) – 1) Peter Britten, 2) Matt Delorenzo, 3) Jeremy Wilder, 4) Jessey Mueller, 5) Rich Ronca, 6) Don Mattison, 7) Brett Hearn, 8) Jimmy Cottrell, 9) Ken Tremont Jr, 10) Neil Stratton, 11) Don Ronca, 12) Keith Flach, 13) Ronnie Johnson, 14) Bodie Bellinger, 15) Marc Johnson, 16) Brian Gleason, 17) Matt Depew, 18) Elmo Reckner, 19) Bobby Hackel IV, 20) Jim Nagle, 21) Demetrios Drellos, 22) Cass Bennett, 23) Jeff Rockefeller, 24) Pep Corradi, DNS) Ray Hoard, DNS) C.G. Morey

Sportsman Results STR Series (25 Laps) – 1) Jamike Sowle, 2) Jeremy Pitts, 3) Connor Cleveland, 4) Tim Hartman Jr, 5) David Schilling, 6) Dave Constantino, 7) Brian Pessalano, 8) Jack Lehner, 9) Andrew Buff, 10) Jason Gray, 11) Brian Calabrese, 12) Mike Coffey, 13) Josh Sunn, 14) Chris Johnson, 15) Dave Baranowski, 16) Hunter Bates, 17) Mike Ostrander, 18) Joe Orlando, 19) Fred Proctor, 20) Daryl Nutting, 21) Elliott Lussier, 22) Jon Miller, 23) Robert Bublak, 24) Scott Duell, 25) Ken Conroy, 26) Christopher Ronca, 27) Rocky Warner, 28) Pat Jones, DNS) Justin Barber, DNS) Reggie Bonner, DNS) Zach Daurio, DNS) Jesse Edwards, DNS) Nick Fretto, DNS) Nick Lussier, DNS) Josh Neal, DNS) Jim Osgood, DNS) Joe Williams

Limited Sportsman Results (20 Laps) – 1) Paolo Pascarella, 2) Justin Buff, 3) Lance Harting, 4) John Stowell, 5) Stephen Kneer, 6) Michael Wagner Fitzgerald, 7) Mike Parodi, 8) Scott Flanders, 9) Steve Burch, 10) Ryan Heath, 11) Dan Grignon, 12) Scott Bennett Jr, 13) William August, 14) Mike Fisher, 15) Jim Mattison, 16) Jason Miller, 17) Jeff Jenkins, 18) Gary Derocher, 19) Don Greco, 20) Patrick Meehan, 21) Anthony Alger, 22) Bruce Loomis

Pro Stock Featherfoot Series Results (25 Laps) – 1) Luke Horning, 2) Kim Duell, 3) Josh Coonradt, 4) Jeff Washburn, 5) Nick Arnold, 6) Dave Depaulo, 7) Chuck Dumblewski, 8) Jason Corbin, 9) Kenny Martin, 10) Brandon Gray, 11) Chris Wemple, 12) Norm Loubier, 13) Ernie Greenier, 14) Sheldon Martin, 15) Darrell Older, 16) Dan Older, 17) Yates Lansing, 18) Ron Delease Jr. 19) Matt Roberts, 20) Mike Baker, 21) Brandon Emigh, 22) Bill Smith

Street Stock Results (20 Laps) – 1) Randy Miller, 2) Joey Wilson, 3) Chris Murray, 4) Jim Duncan, 5) Al Relyea, 6) Damon Anderson, 7) David Cook, 8) Garrett Given, 9) Jody Thew, 10) John Hayes, 11) Matt Mosher, 12) Chase Aussicker, 13) Fred Harris, 14) Pete Vila,
15) Mark Burch, 16) Scott Lawrence

06-23 4 Cyliner Single Cam Results (15 Laps) – 1) Robert Garney, 2) Will Ryan, 3) Colby Shepler, 4) Allana Jordan, 5) Johnny Bruno, 6) Tyler Burch

06-23 4 Cylinder Dual Cam Results (15 Laps) – 1) Jared Powell, 2) Ben Grant, 3) Jason Lang, 4) Steve Ryan, 5) P.J. Bleau, 6) David Frame, 7) Wayne Russell

09-01 4 Cyliner Single Cam Results (15 Laps) – 1) Will Ryan, 2) Robert Garney, 3) Tyler Burch, 4) Allana Jordan, 5) Colby Shepler, 6) Johnny Bruno, 7) Brett Horlacher

09-01 4 Cylinder Dual Cam Results (15 Laps) – 1) Ben Grant, 2) P.J. Bleau, 3) Jared Powell, 4) Josh Wood, 5) Steve Ryan, 6) Jason Lang, 7) Jeff Piscitelli, 8) Wayne Russell, DNS) Tom Gomm