Double The Modified Fun Friday At Albany-Saratoga; RJ & Batman Take Checkers

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – MALTA, NY – Finally, with clear skies for a Friday night racing program, there was unfinished business that needed to be settled on the track at Albany-Saratoga.

After a rain-shortened program last week, the held-over Modified feature was the first event to hit the very racy surface Friday.

Jessey Mueller and Ronnie Johnson brought the 32-car field to the green flag, with Meuller getting the jump and taking the lead with the 2RJ of Johnson in tow.

Caution would fly on lap five for Jimmy Cottrell as he hit a yuke tire in turn two.

Racing would resume with the #19 of Mueller rocketing in the lead followed by Johnson, Elmo Reckner, Matt DeLorenzo and “Batman” Peter Britten. Brett Hearn was able to break into the top five by lap seven while the next two circuits had “MattyD” taking over the second spot from RJ.

As lap 17 clicked off, the lead pack was entering into lap traffic with the top three slicing and dicing between cars.

After a caution on lap 20 re-racked the field, Meuller once again resumed his position out front with Johnson taking second back from DeLorenzo and they were followed by Britten and Hearn.

Meuller began to give Johnson an opening for the lead as he was flirting with disaster on the high side. The two were battling for the top position as the caution came out with 10 laps to go for Keith Flach who’s car went up in smoke on the backstretch. In turn, his car came to a stop and Max McLaughlin hit the back of the #43, causing the HBR driver roll over softly in turns three and four. He was uninjured.

On this restart, there was a new leader at the head of the class as Johnson took over. Mueller, Delorenzo and Britten and now Marc Johnson was showing in the top 5. Johnson looked very strong during the first feature. Kenny Tremont brought out the final caution out on lap 30.

In a five-lap shootout, Ronnie held off all challengers to claim the victory over DeLorenzo, Marc Johnson, Hearn and Britten.

“I really had to work for this one,” Johnson said. “That restart really helped me as I was able to get the jump and the lead so I could get my preferred line. The car became faster as the race went on.”

In the regularly-scheduled Modified main event, Neil Stratton and Rich Scagliotta brought the field to green with Stratton taking the top spot with Demetrios Drellos right behind.

Keith Flach was making his presence known as he made his way into second using the outside lane. As the race stayed green, it was still Stratton up front running in heavy traffic, but the car on the move was the 97 of Peter Britten. Britten had worked his way to third after starting 14th o the field.

Soon, a battle would commence up front as “Batman” dove low in turns 3 and 4 and powered to take the lead going into turn one and he was followed by Scagliotta who was having a great run.

Lap 26 had Flach’s car come to a stop while running in the third position, ending his frustrating night.

Another car that was advancing during this feature was the 20 of Hearn. “Brett The Jet” took over third with Flach’s issues with Stratton and Drellos rounding out the top 5.

A caution on lap 29 bunched the field up and allowed Hearn to jump into the second as Britten continued to lead and went on to grab the checkers. “Batman” came out of his cave to claim the win in domonite style followed by Hearn, Scagliotta, Reckner and a great run by Jimmy Cottrell to round out the top 5.

“This car is a Troyer machine and we’re all saddened by the loss of Maynard Troyer this week,” Britten said. “I know he was looking down watching and hope this victory is one of many this year.”

Heat winners were Tremont, Straton and DeLorenzo.

The Sportsman feature was won by the 33j of Chris Johnson. Connor Cleveland came home a strong second followed by Dave Schilling, David Constantino and Daryl Nutting. Heat winners Johnson, Constantino and Schilling.

The Limited Sportsman had Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald getting his second victory of the season at the Malta oval over William August, John Stowell, Scott Bennett and EJ McAuliffe. Heat winners, Stephen Kneer, August and Bryon Jones.

The Pro Stock feature winner was “Krazy” Kenny Martin as he pulled of the victory, going from third to first after a late race caution. Josh Coonradt held on for second, after leading most of the race. Third was Kim Duell with Norm Loubier and Brian Gray rounding out the top five. Heat winners were Duell, Coonradt and Brandon Emigh

The Street Stock winner on the night was Randy Miller as he out-dueled Al Relyea after a spirited battle for most of the feature. Third was Mark Burch followed by Scott Lawrence and Damon Anderson.

Well, it was a fun night of racing at Albany-Saratoga as, once again, each class had a large field of cars that flooded the pits. There was a lot of side-by-side racing Friday, proving why the place is nicknamed the “Great Race Place.”

The held over 50/50 was over $3,000 and the regular night’s was over $2,300..now tell me if that’s not a super hit.

It certainly was nice not to have to worry about Mother Nature bringing havoc to the night’s program. Rumor has it that she was deemed illegal and was not able to participate on Friday night.

I want to wish all the Mother’s out there a Happy Mother’s Day, and, as always, say a prayer to keep our service men and women safe.

Until the next race everyone, be safe and keep on racing. See you all at the track.