Short Track Super Series “Stampede” Set For Tuesday At Albany-Saratoga
Story By: BRETT DEYO / SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES – MALTA, NY – A Tuesday “stampede” of the Northeast’s top Modified drivers is set for Albany-Saratoga Speedway.
The ‘Stampede at ‘toga’ presented by Recovery Sports Grill features the first-ever appearance by the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP at the “Great Race Place” this Tuesday night, August 15. The big-block/small-block Modified contingent battles for 50 laps paying $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $400 to take the green flag.
Valuable points are on the line toward the $12,500 STSS Halmar North Region championship. Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., currently leads by a scant seven points over Sprakers, N.Y., star Stewart Friesen (409-402). Billy Decker of Sidney, N.Y., sits third with 399 points and the Norkth Region’s only two-time winner Anthony Perrego of Montgomery, N.Y., ranks fourth, totaling 386 points. Just 23 markers separate the top-four in the standings.
The top-15 drivers in the current standings are expected to be in attendance including Jeremy Smith of Triangle, N.Y.; Tommy Meier of Waldwick, N.J.; Danny Creeden of Wurtsboro, N.Y.; Jerry Higbie of Newburgh, N.Y.; Ryan Jordan of Dryden, N.Y.; J.R. Hurlburt of Otego, N.Y.; Matt DeLorenzo of Cropseyville, N.Y.; Nick Nye of Groton, N.Y.; Craig Hanson of Johnstown, N.Y.; Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J.; and Brian Krummel of Middletown, N.Y.
Joining Godown, who will drive a one-race-old Atlas Paving-backed No. 66 Bicknell, from the PA-NJ contingent are Frank Cozze of Wind Gap, Pa., in the Adirondack Auto No. 35 and Rick Laubach of Hellertown, Pa., in the Ryan Kerr-owned No. 1K.
Fresh off a huge win at the Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway, Mike Mahaney of King Ferry, N.Y., will aim for another victory in the ‘518’ with Buzz Chew’s No. 88.
Brett Hearn collected his 900th career victory at Albany-Saratoga and looks to register his first STSS score at his Friday home track. The Sussex, N.J., driver has struggled in series appearances but knows his way around the Malta oval.
Fonda Speedway star Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., is expected in the Alton and Carole Palmer-owned No. 76.
Southern Tier racers Brett Tonkin of Carbondale, Pa., a past Afton (N.Y.) Motorsports Park champion, and Alan Barker of Norwich, N.Y., a mainstay at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, N.Y., will take their shot at Albany-Saratoga.
Short-tracker Danny Tyler of Cottekill, N.Y., plans to pilot the Bill Pascual-owned No. 3 in the event. From nearby New Paltz, N.Y., third-generation driver Allison Ricci will be on hand with the Halmar-backed No. 55.
Regular competitors in Albany-Saratoga’s Modified division will receive “appearance points” for their participation on Tuesday. Currently, Australian Peter Britten leads the A-S standings over Keith Flach, Ronnie Johnson, Hearn, Jeremy Wilder, Marc Johnson, Kenny Tremont, Neil Stratton, Bodie Bellinger and DeLorenzo.
A pair of cash bonuses have been added to the healthy STSS contingency award lineup. The event’s Halfway Leader – lap 25 – will receive $500 cash from Superior Remodeling. The Hard Charger takes home $300 from Elmo’s Speed & Supply.
Joining the STSS Modifieds on the card are the King of Dirt (KoD) Sportsman in a $1,000-to-win program.
A rain date is in place for Wednesday, August 16.
Complete rules, times, prices and general information for the ‘Stampede at ‘toga’ have been posted on the STSS website: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/stampede-at-toga-rules-prices-general-information/
Albany-Saratoga Speedway is located at 2671 U.S. Route 9 Malta, N.Y., 12020. The track info line is 518.587.0220 and the speedway website is www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 during business hours, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, “like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.
The 2017 Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, HyperCo, Keizer Wheels, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, QA1, Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Speed51, Teo-Pro Car, Velocita, Weld & Wilwood.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Schedule
Halmar International North Region
Sunday, April 9 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. ‘Hard Clay Open’ – WINNER: ANDY BACHETTI
Sunday, May 28 – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, N.Y. – ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ – WINNER: ANTHONY PERREGO
Wednesday, June 21 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. – ‘Afton Action 50’ – WINNER: STEWART FRIESEN
Monday, July 3 – Accord Speedway/Accord, N.Y. – ‘Battle of the Bullring 5’ – WINNER: ANTHONY PERREGO
Sunday, July 16 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, Pa. – ‘Anthracite Assault’ – WINNER: RYAN GODOWN
Tuesday, August 15 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway/Malta, N.Y. – Recovery Sports Grill Stampede ‘toga (Rain Date: August 16)
Tuesday, August 22 – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, N.Y. – ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks 53’ (Rain Date: August 23) – AMERICAN RACER CUP CHALLENGE EVENT
Saturday, October 7 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. – American Racer Cup Short Track SuperNationals 10 – Afton Motorsports Park/Afton, N.Y. (Rain Date: October 8)
Thursday, October 19 – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, N.Y. – Behrent’s Performance Warehouse ‘Hard Clay Finale’ at Eastern States Weekend (Rain Date: October 20) – CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
