RPW Exclusive: Rain Claims Albany-Saratoga Friday; Can Anyone Catch Brett Hearn For The Track Title?

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – MALTA, NY – Mother nature has reclaimed her dominance at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway as, once again, Friday night’s action was rained out. That makes three events in-a-row that she’s wreaked havoc for the drivers and fan in some way.

Last week, however, their was some racing that got in with the Sportsman, Limited Sportsman and Street Stocks getting their features in. Unfortunately, Mother Nature proved there’s no stopping her once she is on a roll.

Rain has recorded the most wins at the ‘Great Race Place’ this year and it has put a damper on the guys who are trying to gain ground on the points leaders in each division.

Setting atop in the Modified division standings is the “Jet,” Brett Hearn. Hearn has two wins under his belt this season and has proven that he is the man to beat for the championship. He has put up several solid finishes and, most importantly, has finished every event. The driver from Sussex, NJ heads into the next event with a 78-point lead over 2016 Champion, the ever-quiet Marc Johnson.

Johnson has not been able to visit victory lane so far this season but always seems to be there at the end of the main events with a top 5 finish. The driver of the #3j is the only driver in the top seven in points without a victory, but it’s only be a matter of time before he takes the checkered flag.

Ronnie Johnson is riding third in the standings with two wins and just 14 markers behind Johnson. Ronnie has been fast all year, driving for his own team, and in contention most weeks for a possible win.

The driver with the most wins in 2018 in the Modifieds is Matt DeLorenzo. ‘Matty D’ has taken his #3D to victory lane three times this season. After struggling mightily last year, never grabbing a victory, he’s sure making up for it this year.

DeLorenzo made the switch this off-season back to Bicknell and that has re-energized his racing program. The Cropseyville, NY-native is fourth in points, 16 behind RJ.

Rounding out the top 5 is Jessey Mueller, who has certainly been fast all year in his DKM “Cyclone” chassis. It was just a matter of time until he would put it all together and the young pilot would get his first Dirt Modified victory of his career. He did so on June 22nd.

Sixth through tenth are Kenny Tremont, Keith Flach both of whom have a win, Bobby Hackel, who is having a solid year at the Malta oval, Neil Stratton and Bodie Bellinger. The driver of the 18B is exactly 200 points behind leader Hearn.

Their has been 14 races that have taken the green in the Modified ranks this season. Four of those events were won by invaders, or non-regulars, that have made their way to the “Great Race Place” for special show with big pay outs. Those are the likes of Matt Sheppard, Tim McCreadie, Stewart Friesen and Peter Britten.

Tim Hartman Jr. holds a 20-point lead over Connor Cleveland in the battle for the Sportsman championship. These two are followed by Chris Johnson, Jeremy Pitts and Chad Edwards. The top five are separated by 76 points.

The Pro Stock division has “Krazy” Kenny Martin looking to grab another title at Albany-Saratoga and has four feature wins to show for it. Jay Corbin, in his first season as a full-time racer at Malta, is 38 markers behind the leader with Chuck Dumblewski, Kim Duell and Nick Arnold rounding out the top 5.

Early dominance this year in Street Stock class has Randy Miller on top of the point standings. Miller has collected seven wins, but is only 24 points ahead of last year champion, Al Relyea.

The 4-Cylinder Single Cam division has Johnny Bennett leading by 14 points over Robert Garney, Steve Ryan has a cushion of 26 over PJ Bleau in the Dual Cam.

Only four point nights remain for the mighty Modifieds and we can’t afford to let Mother Nature claim anymore victories. The bounty is out on the aggressive lady. Lets hope she can be taken down as teams gear up for the final push to the ever-elusive track championships.

Looking ahead, the “Great Race Place” has a big event coming up, Brett Deyo’s Short Track Super Series “Stampede at Toga” on Tuesday August 14th. 50 laps of high flying action will be on the card. “You don’t want to miss it”

The anti has been upped for the racers in this one. If the ‘Stampede’ can draw more cars than took a time trial lap at Brett Hearn’s Big show (55) in June, Series officials have said American Racer will up the winner’s share to $7,500 while making it $500 to take the green.

Can the Big Show be beat? It will be tough but interesting to see. All bets are on. One thing for sure is that you are always guaranteed awesome action.

Peace to our troops. Keep them safe and I’ll see you all at the races.