RPW Exclusive: MattyD’s Red Hot At Albany-Saratoga; DeLorenzo Goes Back-To-Back Friday For Third Win Of 2018

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – MALTA, NY – The talk of the area may have been about about opening day of the Saratoga horse track, but it was the “Great Race Place” where the real ‘horsepower’ was at Friday night, and Matt DeLorenzo proved it.

DeLorenzo and his team have certainly found the right combination as they took there second victory in as many weeks at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway and third on the season. The driver of the BBL Companies #3D has been on a tear of late. Once a driver thirsty for victory, the veteran campaigner has found the right set-up and is the man to beat the Malta oval.

The Mighty Modifieds got the green Friday night with Matt Pupello jumping into the lead. He would take off and hide as the rest of the pack was fighting for positions in the early stages of the race.

Bodie Bellenger, Bobby Hackel and Jim Nagle were all battling in the top 5 while the top pointgetters were have there own race as they were trying to advance there positions. The two cars that were showing they were going to be a force to be reckoned with were ‘MattyD,’ who was coming from his 10th starting position, and Brett “the Jet” Hearn, who had his car on cruise control, marching up threw the field from his 14th spot.

DeLorenzo would reel in the high-flying Pupello on the inside and took over the top spot, but the caution flew on lap 26 just as he made the pass. That put DeLorenzo back into second with Hearn on his back bumper in fourth.

The restart would see DeLorenzo rocket into the leading, bringing Hearn along with him. Once again, Marc Johnson quietly found himself into the top five, looking to claim his first victory of the year.

Hearn was unable to catch up to the leader to give him any type challenge for the win as it was all ‘MattyD’ the rest of the way. DeLorenzo claimed his third victory of the year and his 13th at the speedway.

“After changing the torsion bars in this car, it’s been awesome,” DeLorenzo said. “I thought I had the pass before the caution came out but the restart had him on the outside and that’s all I needed. I’m so happy I was able to win when my mom was here. She doesn’t make the trip that often to the track.”

Matt was quick to point out one little point about his back-to-back wins.

“I’m glad to beat Brett Hearn for second week in a row,” he said with a smile on his face. “I also have to thank the fans for their support. They are all the best.”

Hearn would have to settle for second for the second week-in-a-row, but did add to his point lead as he has been the most consistent driver this season, as the #20 has finished every event. Third was Pupello with his best finish of the season, followed by “Mr. Steady,” the “White Knight” Marc Johnson. Bodie Bellenger, who led many laps the week, before brought his #18B home to a solid fifth place finish.

The DIRTcar Pro Stock Series held one of their tour events Friday night at Albany-Saratoga, with a strong field of cars that invaded the track trying to claim the victory over the home track regulars.

Thirty-one cars took the green and it was Ivan Joslin who jumped into the lead from his pole position. The car that people were watching was the #7 of Chuck Dumblewski as he would make a three-wide pass on the inside going down the backstretch and into lead on lap 16.

Joslin and Rob Yetman would fight to gain ground on Dumblewski as he was encountering heavy traffic. Joslin ran the outside and had the lead by a nose as they entered turn four side-by-side on the final circuit, but it was Dumblewski edging out in front for the big DIRTcar Series win.

“Lap traffic really killed me,” Dumblewski said.

Yetman was a close third followed by Brandon Emigh and Josh Coonradt.

DIRTcar Pro Stock Series point leader Bruno Cyr did not have a good night, finishing in the 28th position but will look to avenge the finish at Lebanon Valley, as that will be the Series’ next stop.

Connor Cleveland captured his first win of the year in the Sportsman division, grabbing the lead on lap 10 and never looking back. Second-place finisher Chris Johnson had nothing for Cleveland with third going to Derrick Bornt. Robert Bublak and Andrew Buff completed your top five.

The Limited Sportsman feature was won by Paolo Pascarella. followed by Thomas VanVorst, John Stowell, Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald and Travis Billington.

The Native Pride Street Stock Series event was won by former 4-Cylinder hot shoe Jimmy Duncan. Duncan had pressure from the midway point of the race until the end from Damon Anderson but it was Duncan grabbing the checkers. Top racers Al Relyea and Randy Miller finished third and fourth, coming from deep in the field.

Steve Ryan would go on to win the 4-Cylinder division race as they a strong field of cars.

Note: Due to last week’s altercation between Kenny Tremont and Demetrios Drellos, both were absent from the track as they both were suspended for one week. Drellos has stated that he plans to return to the track next week, but the Tremont posted on Social Media this week they will not return for the rest of the season.

It was another great night at the track with my “racing monster” and the rest of my family and friends. It’s always a fun time in the first turn and we could not ask for anything better at the “Great Race Place”

Thank you to our troops and their families. Until the next race, be safe and see you all the track.