RPW Exclusive: It’s Another Trip To Victory Lane At Albany-Saratoga For Brett Hearn

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – MALTA, NY – The “Jersey Jet” showed Friday night at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway that he wasn’t laying down his guns in the points battle as Brett Hearn claim his 906th career victory in the 35-lap Modified main.

Hearn was set on kill Friday at the “Great Race Place” as he sure powered his way to his second victory of the year. He and Keith Flach battled it out in heavy traffic in the closing laps of the race with the Sussex, NJ driver getting the upper hand.

Hearn would come from his 14th starting position and made quick work of his competition, wasting no time going to the front.

By lap 10, a caution came out for Jackie Brown who came to a stop in turn 4. Meanwhile the “Jet ” had worked his way up into the sixth position and he was not stopping there.

Soon after that, Flach took over the top spot from his seventh starting position and looked to be well in command, That was until Hearn started to go fishing and began to real in the leaders. Once in second, he and Flach began slicing and dicing through heavy traffic and it was on lap 28 that Hearn would set his bait. The next three laps he stalked the #43 of Flach, and with just four to go, the crafty veteran took the low side in traffic and made the pass for the win.

“I had to stay disciplined, and running in second actually played into my hands,” Hearn said. “I want to thank the whole Mark Flach, Tim Emerick and his entire group for preparing an amazing car this week. It was certainly fun to drive.”

The win is on the heels of a solid finish of sixth for Hearn on the Super DIRTcar Series at the Land of Legands the night before.

Settling for second was Flach with Jessey Mueller coming in third. Former track champion Marc Johnson fourth with last week’ winner Ronnie Johnson rounding out the top five.

The King Of Dirt Sportsman Series made its way to the track as it was a strong 30 car field that took the green. The #92 of Andrew Buff peddled to the top spot from his outside front row starting position and tried to hide, leaving the rest of the pack to battle it out.

The car on the move was the Tim Hartman Jr. as Hartman was catching the leader as the two starting to encounter heavy traffic, reeling in the leader to take the top spot…a spot he would never relinquish.

“It was actually good that we were in second because I was able to try a couple of different things out there and see where he (Buff) was not going as well,” Hartman said. “I noticed he wasn’t getting into the corner well and that’s where I saw my opportunity. The car has been running great and I want to thank Mike Parillo for everything he gives this team.”

Buff would get a solid second-place finish with Connor Cleveland third followed by Robert Bublak and James Meehan.

Limited sportsman had a first time winner in EJ McAuliffe as he would power on the outside of Stephen Kneer on lap 17 to etch his name in the record books at the “Great Race Place.” Kneer was second with Justin Buff, John Stowell, and Micheal Wagner Fitzerald completing the top five.

The Pro Stock feature was once again plagued with cautions and the race came down to the last corner. Contact was made to Walt Brownell’s car, sending his machine to the outside wall while running side-by-side with Brandon Gray. Gray went on to grab the win with Rob Yetman finishing second.

Brownell would salvage a third place finish with Jay Corbin fourth and Brandon Emigh nabbing another solid top five.

The red flag was brought out during the course of the feature as last week’s feature winner, Kim Duell, was involved in an early race incident as his car went to the infield. He was having discomfort and was unable to get out of the car. After a few minutes, he was able to get out under his own power as he proceeded to the ambulance. No future information at press time but hope all is well.

It was round two of the Albany-Saratoga / Glen Ridge Street Stock challenge and the Malta regulars stole the show. Al Relyea was your leader until the fourth turn of the last lap as Randy Miller passed him at the checkers.

The racing surface was once again fantastic. We had Perfect weather, excellent racing and, as always, a great time with family and friends.

50/50 was $1,473.

As we conclude our holiday, weekend always remember the people who have fought and sacrificed to make our country what it is…THE GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD. Everyone, stay safe and we’ll see you at the races. Make sure you keep on racing.