RPW Exclusive: The DeVores, Albany-Saratoga & DIRTcar Hit A “Massive” Home Run Last Weekend

Column By: LAURIE FALLIS / RPW – MALTA, NY – Albany Saratoga Speedway held its first ever “Malta’s Massive Weekend” and what a massive success it was!

There was plenty of action to see with dramatic finishes and an unexpected one on Saturday. The weekend would be a promoters dream with beautiful weather that shined down on the Speedway for the three days, which included a 100-lap Super DIRTcar Series event that concluded the weekend.

Mother Nature made up for the dismal start of the 2019 season with clear skies and that was exactly what promoter Lyle DeVore needed. Thursday night’s racing included the 54-lap Come ‘N Get it Modified feature from April which was rescheduled several times because the weather Gods played havoc for each prior attempt. With $5,400 on the line, the race finally got the green light.

The fans were treated to a great battle between a young gun, Anthony Perrego, and a veteran, Billy Decker. Perrago and Decker had an early race shootout swapping the lead back and forth, but it was Perrago that had the fastest car and went on to laim the victory.

Fridays schedule had the Small Block Modifieds as the headliner on the card and it was Ransomville Speedway invader Erick Rudolph making a last-lap pass of track champion Marc Johnson to take the win. Rudolph started in the ninth position and powered around the Johnson Racing Troyer on the outside to grab the victory.

Also racing was a fan-favorite, the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Modified Series. John Flach, Dan Wood and Mike Cole captured the wins in their respective classes.

On Saturday, as I strolled around while the starts of the Super DIRTcar Series began to file into the pit area, I had the opportunity to talk with track promoter Lyle DeVore. DeVore, who is one of the hardest working guys in the sport, had already been hard at work on the track surface as evident by the mud that was splattered all over him.

After two nights of racing, I asked him how he thought the first-ever Massive Weekend was going.

“This big weekend thought process started last October when we secured the date for the Super DIRTcar Series race,” DeVore said. “In a group effort, we collaborated on making it a ‘Massive Weekend’ and added things to it to make it special.”

I asked Lyle about the racing surface. With the track seeing a lot of laps already, would he be preparing it any different than he normally would?

“We did something different on Friday, but we won’t do that tonight,” he said. “Tonight (Saturday) is a completely different thought process.”

DeVore wasn’t sure how it would be. They would just have to wait and see. Of course, he didn’t say exactly what he did differently, but it must have worked as the track was in perfect condition for the 100-lapper.

It was certainly a Massive Weekend with great racing, live music, camping for all, great weather and a fantastic atmosphere. The offer of breakfast was an excellent added touch as well. Many took advantage it. Congratulations to Lyle, Marcy and Mia along with the entire staff at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

As for the big race on Saturday, a huge congratulations goes out to a very determined Demetrios Drellos who picked up his first career Super DIRTcar Series win and a guaranteed starting position for Super DIRT Week’s Modified event. Oh, can’t forget the big $10,000 check that went along with the victory.

Drellos drew the pole position and never looked back. However, it was far from an easy win. The Queensbury, NY driver had to fight off some heavy hitters on three different restarts to secure the win. IIt didn’t come easy but the #111 was on rails, slicing and dicing through heavy lap traffic.

It was a flawless race for the entire team who have been regulars on the Series trail for the firast time this season.

Congratulations to Demetrios and all the winners this weekend.