Albany-Saratoga Forced To Cancel Inspection For Sunday

Story By: JO ANN DAVIES / ALBANY-SARATOGA SPEEDWAY – MALTA, NY – It may be Spring according to the calendar but with rain, snow, and night time freezing temperatures throughout the past week and predicted for the weekend, promoter Lyle DeVore has been forced to cancel the “Open Inspection Day” at Albany-Saratoga that was on the schedule for Sunday, April 8.

“We are very disappointed to make this call,” said DeVore. “With the bad weather throughout the week and the forecast for cold temperatures on Sunday, we feel it is the best decision to cancel our open inspection,” DeVore stated. “Instead, we will work toward the 13th and hope that Mother Nature cooperates. The “Swap Meet” originally scheduled for April 8 has also been canceled,” DeVore continued.

Albany-Saratoga will now hold a combined open inspection and on-track practice session on Friday, April 13. The pit gate will open at 10 a.m. for inspection for all classes for those who want to get an early start on the 2018 season. The remainder of the schedule for the day will remain as originally posted. There is a $20 pit admission fee.

The grandstands will be free of charge for fans who want to get an early look at who will be running weekly at “The Great Race Place.” Concessions will be open in the pits and grandstand areas.

Opening night for the 2018 season is scheduled for Friday, April 20 and is on the calendar for many of the top names in dirt racing as the 44-lap opening night Modified feature will pay $7,500 to the winner. The opening night event is sponsored by Bart Contracting (Copake, NY) and Schaghticoke Wines & Spirits (Schaghticoke, NY).

The speedway plans to use Tuesday, April 17, as a rain date should the April 13 practice be cancelled due to weather. Anyone with questions should call the speedway office at 518-587-0220.