The Jet Finally Breaks Through With Victory At Albany-Saratoga Friday

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – MALTA, NY – Going into Friday night’s action at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Brett Hearn had been denied victory lane. Coming so close every week, with his consistency, he was sitting on top off the points going into the night’s event. That all changed as the Jet finally broke through for his first win of 2018.

Bringing the Modified field to the start of the 35-lap feature was the 10j of Jim Nagle and “Downtown”Jackie Brown as it would be the 10j take the lead for the initial lap. Brown would take over the top spot on lap two.

Caution came out for Jeff Trombley, who was filling in for Peter Britten, as he went off the backstretch looking to have had mechanical troubles., Trombley’s 2018 Modified debut would come to an early end as he was towed back to the pits.

On the restart, Bobby Hackel IV would take the lead with Brown, Gleason, Nagel and Vernald all in the top 5

When lap 10 came rolling in, there was plenty of action going on around mid-pack but the car on the move was clearly “The Jet”

While Hackel was having his way, the cream of the crop was making there way into the the top 5. Keith Flach was in the fourth position with Hearn now fifth. A caution on lap 13 bunched the cars up and the restart saw the 43 of Flach rocket into second with Hearn coming along with him. However, it still was Hackel that was holding the top spot from some hungry wolves, hot on his trail.

Caution flew on lap 15 for former track champion Marc Johnson when he came to a stop and his night was done.

A single file restart was called and once again it was the 97 of Hackel leading and it was a dogfight for second between Flach and Hearn as they battled side-by- side. The leader began to enter lap traffic on lap 22 and soon it was a three-car battle.

As the trio went into turn four, Flach got into the back end of the 97, sending him into the infield, but he was able to stay on the gas. However, it was Hearn who reaped the benefit as he was on the outside and took over the top spot with Flac second and Hackel able to come out in third.

Unfortunately, when Flach went into turn one he broke and the car spun collecting another car with him and brought out the caution. The “Ravena Rocket” went to the pits and would not return. Hackel was able to sneak by for second.

Meanwhile with all this going on, Ronnie Johnson quietly found himself now setting in the third position.

The rest of the race would go green with “Brett the Jet” getting his landing gear ready as he pulled away to win in dominating fashion, coming from 16th. Ronnie Johnson, who also started deep in the field, brought his 2Rj to a second place finish. Third with solid, eventful run was Bobby Hackel IV. Fourth was Matt DeLorenzo and fifth was Kris Vernold.

“This win was inevitable,” A jubilant Hearn said after the race. “I want to thank Mark Flach’s crew for their hard work and everybody that makes it possible to get here.”

With the dominating victory and the way he has been running, look for Hearn to be one of the heavy favorites heading into the Jack Johnson/CD Coville tribute night coming up on Tuesday.

The Sportsman feature had Joey Scarborough bring home the Mark Hughes Memorial race as he was followed by Nick Lussier, Jack Speshock, a hard -charging Tim Hartman Jr. and David Constantino rounding out your top 5.

Limited Sportsman had a first-time winner in the #39 of Dylan Bokus. He was followed by Paola Pascarella, Micheal Wagner Fitzgerald, and the pole sitter, Ryan Heath.

Josh Coonradt showed that his first career Malta Pro Stock win a few weeks back was no fluke as he showed that the double 0 is going to be a force to reckon this season. He took home his second of the year followed by Luke Horning, Dean Charbonneau, Norm Loubier and Walt Brownell.

The Street Stock feature was “Miller time” yet again as Randy Miller continues his domination of the class. Miller started deep in the field and went on to claim another win.

It was a great night of racing, The track was super fast and smooth and the house was packed. The 5o/5o was $2.522.00 and it was not claimed , so will this go into the pot for next Tuesday??, WOW what a hit that would be.

Once again, it was a fun time at Malta as we had a surprise visitor come to our camper…the Appollo Rocket” Josh Hohenforst. I asked the pilot how things were going at Fonda Speedway.

“The last two races have been tough,” he said. “Leading in the later stages in the race but just has not able to finish the deal. Nobody is tougher on me then myself and I will keep digging until it all falls into place.”

Look for the 6H to be sitting into victory very soon.

Well racing is a great sport and there is nothing better then sharing it with family and friends. Thank you to all that serve and protect us. Be Safe
see you all at the Track