RPW Exclusive: DeLorenzo Speeds To His Second Win Of 2018 At Albany-Saratoga

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – MALTA, NY – Matt DeLorenzo was able to claim his second win of the 2018 racing season at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway Friday night with a steady, consistent run after starting in seventh position.

The story of the feature, however, was young Jack Lehner who turned some heads and showed he is ready to run with the big boys.

It was Friday the 13th, and on a night known for the weird, one would think what strange things could happen. According to the winner DeLorenzo, things could have not have gone any better as he claimed the 35-lap main event.

The main event had a caution on lap one that would be significant as it took the runner-up in points, Ronnie Johnson, out of contention. As the field went scrambling in turns three and four, the incident collected the multi-time winner at the “Great Race Place.” Johnson would go to the pits as the red flag was brought out and Ronnie would not return as he received extensive damage to his right front.

One driver making it through, though, was last week’s winner Brett Hearn.

Jim Nagle was your early leader but the car getting to the front was the 2L of the freshman campaigner Lehner. Lehner took over the top spot with all the big gun breathing down on the young gun. Soon, however, it was DeLorenzo making a move to take over, working the inside and would be well in command. He would then move to the top side and put his machine on cruise control, adding to his win column and grabbing his 12th career victory at the track.

Coming home in Second with another great run was Hearn, who was still ecstatic after his Super DIRTcar Series win at Outlaw this past week. Third, with his best finish of the season, was Lehner followed by Marc Johnson, who has been quietly finishing in the top five nearly every week. Fifth was another young gun in the form of Bobby Hackel.

“We just went back to the basic on this Bicknell car and we were able to get a handle on it,” DeLorenzo said. “I new when I was to the highside and didn’t see anybody I could just let it all hang out on the outside.

DeLorenzo lovese running in front of a packed house like there is at Albany-Saratoga each week. When asked after the race when he got to the lead what was his thought.

“Just stay smooth and don’t jump the cushion like I usually do,” he said. “I went to the bottom once or twice but it felt better on the outside. As soon as my opening to the top came open, I went there. I knew Marc Johnson was behind me and he loves the bottom, but I never saw a nose under me. I just let it all hang out on the high side.”

The CRSA Sprints were in action Friday and it was Matt Tanner holding off a hard-charging Jeff Trombley for the win. They were followed by Justin Mills, Darryl Ruggles and Tyler Cartier.

The Sportsman feature saw a first-time winner at the “Great Race Place” as Adam McAulliffe took the checkers in his DKM machine.

The Limited feature was won by John Stowell and the rookie sensation Derrick McGrew Jr. brought home a nice second place run.

The Pro Stock feature saw “Krazy” Kenny Martin get back to victory lane as he powered his way to the top spot.

Street Stocks were claimed by Joey Duncan.

50/50 was $1,719.

Pit Note: After an altercation on-track during the Modified heats took place between Kenny Tremont and Demetrios Drellos. After multiple bumps on the speedway between the two, a very frustrating Tremont, who was visibly irate, took his #115 to the pits.

After speaking with Speedway officials, it was Tremont’s decision to park his car and not to run the feature.

In a sign of support for the driver of the #115, veteran campaigner Hector Stratton also decided to park his car.

God Bless our troops and see you all at the races