By Tom Coughlin
Dodge City Speedway in Howes Cave is scheduled to open their 2024 season tonight with points beginning in all classes. Gates open at 5:00 pm. warm-ups at 6:30 pm. racing starts at 7:00 pm.
Tonight at Utica-Rome Speedway is Round number two of the Thunder on the Thruway Series for the modified, sportsman, and pro-stock divisions, plus the slingshot divisions are on the program.
Saturday morning the Old Stone Fort Museum & Schoharie County Historical Society will hold a Cars & Coffee event. From 9:00 am, until 12:00 pm. This event will allow guests the ability to explore two floors of Schoharie Valley history. Those attending will also be able to admire a diverse collection of unique vehicles, including Schoharie County’s first car. The Old Stone Fort is located at 145 Fort Road, Schoharie, N.Y. 12157.
Last Friday, Albany-Saratoga Speedway hosted the DIRTcar 358 modified division. Matt Delorenzo earned the 25-lap feature victory over, Marc Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, Mike Mahaney,and Adam Pierson In the weekly NAPA big block modified division 35-lap feature Marc Johnson claimed the victory ahead of Kolby Schroder and Neil Stratton The Ideal Excavating crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature was won by Tim Hartman Jr.over Scott Towslee and Chris Crane Jr.
The Saratoga Masonry pro-stock division 25-lap feature saw Jason Casey take the checkers ahead of Beau Ballard and Kim Duell In the Haun Welding limited sportsman division 20-lap feature Dan Seguin won over Steve Burch and Chase Zimmer. And in the Cornell’s Auto Parts street-stock division 20-lap feature it was Dan Madigan in for the win over Jimmy Duncan and John Filarecki
Also on Friday out west at Utica-Rome Speedway in the 3 Bastards Brewing modified division 30-lap feature Matt Sheppard scored his third win in a row in 2024. Early leader Brandon Walters finished second and Justin Wright finished third.
In the Taylor’s Trailers crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature Matt Janczuk scored the victory. It was a career best for John DuMond at Utica finishing in second, with Allan Hodge finishing third. In the Next Generation GraphiX pro-stock division 20-lap feature, it
was back-to-back wins for A.J. Walters as he took the win over Shane Playford and Brett Belden,
In the special M2 Metals late model division 20-lap feature Chad Homan earned the victory over Austin Allen and Rob Pitcher.
The Fastline Performance limited sportsman division 15-lap feature went to Josh Coonradt ahead of Eric Jensen and Lance Hill In the Fonda Fair 4 cylinder division 12-lap feature Rudy King Jr.won the dual cam division and T.J. Marlitt won the single cam division.
Saturday night in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Stewart Friesen was competing in the Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway. Stewart would end the night with a disappointing 25th. position finish.
Under unbelievably challenging track conditions Fonda Speedway held Round one of the F.X. Caprara-Thunder on the Thruway Series on Saturday, for the modified, crate sportsman, and pro-stock divisions.
For the Amsterdam Truck Center modified division it was the Lou
Lazzaro Memorial and they would run a 34-lap feature. It was a nice added touch that it was held on the fourth of the month. Former modified track champion Michael Maresca took the prestigious $4,444 win over early leader Alex Yankowski, with Chris Curtis filling the podium. Due to track conditions only five cars finished on the track.
In the Swagger Factory Apparel crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature Chad Edwards scored his first win in over a year at the Track of Champions over Brett Mortensen and Payton Talbot In the Leatherstocking Credit Union pro-stock division 20-lap feature Cousin Luke Horning earned the hard fought win over Kenny Gates and Ivan Joslin.
In the Montgomery County Office for Aging limited sportsman division 15-lap feature A,J. Greco took the win ahead of Dylan Huston and Lance Hill The Fonda Fair 4 cylinder division held two features. In the rain delayed feature from April 27 Jay Ingersoll won the dual cam division and Wayne Russell Jr. won the single cam division.
In the regular scheduled feature Adam Montville won the dual cam division and Wayne Russell Jr. won the single cam division.
Unfortunately, Glen Ridge Motor Park was forced to cancel their opening day program due to the forecast of impending inclement weather.
Fonda Speedway will have Dollar Night on Saturday. Grandstand general admission is One Dollar for a full weekly program , plus the held over modified feature from April 27.
Saturday Albany-Saratoga Speedway will host AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship motorcycle racing. Glen Ridge Motorsports Park will attempt to have their opening program on Sunday. Pit gates open at 3:00 pm., grandstand 4:00 pm., drivers meeting 5:00 pm., hot laps 5:30 pm. racing at 6:00 pm.