By Ed & Betty Biittig
Jack Speshock, of Malta was the winner of the Modified main event at Albany-Saratoga on Friday, his second career win at the track. Biittig photo
Stewart Friesen of Sprakers celebrates his win at Glen Ridge on Sunday with son, Parker. Biittig photo
Once again, the weather played havoc with racing in the area. The forecast looked dismal for racing but cleared so that Albany-Saratoga was able to complete their show on Friday night and Glen Ridge did so as well on Sunday.
Adding to the weather problems, Fonda already had a track surface issue and was forced to close last Saturday to do the rain and extensive work that needs to be done to the track. This caused some big changes in the Fonda and Utica-Rome schedules for this weekend.
There will be no racing at Fonda this Saturday, May 18. The next scheduled event at Fonda will be Saturday, May 25.
For this week only, Utica-Rome Speedway will operate on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, Mar 18. Friday will be the highly anticipated High Limit Racing Sprint Cars and the Modifieds. Gates open at 4 pm with racing at 7:30 pm. Saturday’s card will include the Modifieds, Crate 602 Sportsman, Pro Stocks, Limited Sportsman, Four Cylinders, Slingshots (All-Star and Junior). This will be a non-point show.
$5.00 off grandstand admission with Friday, High Limit Sprint wristband.
Fonda season passes and pit licenses will be accepted at Utica-Rome this weekend.
At Albany-Saratoga on Friday, Jack Speshock of Malta claimed his second career win at the track in the $3000 to win Modified main event. Speshock recorded his first win at the Malta oval just one year ago on the second Friday in May, and both wins came with 2022 track champion, Matt DeLorenzo was in the runner-up spot at the finish.
Other winners at Albany-Saratoga on Friday were: Pat Jones, Sportsman; Brandon Emigh, Pro Stocks; Dakota Green, Limited Sportsman; Chris Stalker, Street Stocks; David Frame, Four Cylinder and John Mason was first single cam finisher.
At Glen Ridge on Sunday, it was the 21st season opener and local racer, and NASCAR Truck Series competitor, Stewart Friesen paid a visit to race his DIRTcar 358 Modified and took home the win, followed by Tucker O’Connor who chased the No. 44 of Friesen through the entire race.
Sunday was also the debut of the RUSH Late Models and Demetrios Drellos was the winner of that event. Other winners at Glen Ridge on Sunday were: Zack Buff, Sportsman; Shane Playford, Pro Stocks, Nick Brundige, Limited Sportsman; Jason Samrov, Street Stocks; Jordan Ryder, Mini Stocks, dual cam and Stephen Walters, single cam; A. J. Albreda won the All-Star Slingshot event and Preston Trautschold was the winner in the Junior Slingshots.
Tuesday, May 14 the Short Track Super Series moved into the Accord Speedway for the running of the “Battle of the Bull Ring” to honor racer Barry Davis and his No. 9D that raced in the Accord area for 35 years before his retirement. Davis was on hand to sign autographs.
Winner of the rain shortened (33 laps) Modified event on Tuesday was Stewart Friesen. The Sportsman event was not held and there was a decision to be made with either the purse being divided or the race being reschedule for another time.
Racing Around the Region:
This Friday at Albany-Saratoga the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series will make a visit plus all other divisions.
At Glen Ridge on Sunday, the DIRTcar Sportsman Eastern Region Series will be in action plus all other divisions.
Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com