Devon Palmer of Cairo celebrates his first career win on Friday at Albany-Saratoga. 

Third generation driver, Justin Stone of Middlebury Vt., pick up his second Modified win of the season at the “Great Race Place” using all the racing knowledge he had gained growing up with his grandfather Gardner and father Todd who raced and won on the dirt tracks in both in the area. 

Other winners Friday at Albany-Saratoga were Caden Dumblewski, Amsterdam, Pro Stocks; Derrick McGrew, Jr., Ballston Spa, Sportsman; Devon Palmer, Cairo, Limited Sportsman; Tyler Irwin, Plattsburg, Street Stocks; Glenn Engstrom, Peru, Four Cylinder.

At Utica-Rome on Friday, Nick Root of Geneva recorded his first ever win in the 358-Modifieds division.  Root who skipped his high school graduation said, “I know high school graduation is something you do only once, but racing has been in my whole life, and this is special to win on my graduation night.”  John Baker of Sherrill also picked up his first time win in the Limited Sportsman class.  Other winners were A. J. Walters, Newport, Pro Stocks; Tyler Corcoran, Central Square, Sportsman.

Local notables; Toby Cooper of Schoharie placed fifth in the Pro Stock main event at Utica-Rome.  At Brewerton Speedway, Friday, Andy Graves of Middleburgh was the winner in the Vintage Modified Nostalgia Tour representing the MVVDMS. 

Saturday at Fonda was fan appreciation night and the fans showed their appreciation for the drivers when the gates were opened to let fans onto the track for the annual driver meet and greet.  The frontstretch of the track was filled with fans eager to get a look at the cars and a chance to talk with their favorite drivers.

Stewart Friesen won his fifth Modified event of the season and his 104th career win at the track. “That was tough, the track got real slick there and really wide,” Friesen said after the win. 

The story of the night, however, was when Kyle Dingman of Mayfield won his first Sportsman feature after coming back from a tragedy in March when fire destroyed his race shop and all his equipment.  Fortunately, there were no injuries.  In his interview Dingman said he thought he was done racing and thanked all the people that helped from the racing community, “it was overwhelming. It’s been a lot of work; this is a competitive class and I’m happy to be here.”

Other winners on Saturday were Nick Stone, Rotterdam, Pro Stocks; Brian Nelson, Fultonville, Limited Sportsman; Jay Ingersoll, Hagaman, Four Cylinder, dual cam and Bruce Liddle, Esperance, single cam.    

Saturday at Lebanon Valley Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Ma, won both the Modified and 358-Modified events; Chris Stalker, Hillsdale, Pro Stocks; Nick Giardini, Brookfield, Ct., Sportsman; Ray Royals, Torrington, Ct., Limited Sportsman; Jeff Meltz, Ghent, Street Stock; Stephen Burka, Climax, Four Cylinder. 

The third time was the charm Sunday for the STSS at Brookfield Speedway after two rain postponements and the day was filled with plenty of racing that included a 50-lap Enduro event paying $500 to the winner Wayne Archer of Brookfield.  Other winners, Tyler Peet of Lake Ariel, Pa., Sportsman; Bret Belden, Clinton, Pro Stock; Colin Milles, Deposit, Four Cylinder, dual cam; Hank Wedgren, Jr., Brookfield, single cam.  

Glen Ridge Motorsports Park winners on Sunday were Blake Tabor, Northville, Junior Slingshot; Lucas Cole, Canajoharie, All Star Slingshot; Dylan Madsen, Spencertown, 358-Modified; Fire Swamp, Akwesasne, 500cc Mini Sprint; Tucker Jones, Ft. Plain, 600cc Mini Sprints; Buck Gasner, Amsterdam, Pro Stock; Derrick McGrew, Jr, Ballston Spa, Sportsman; Preston Trautschold, Roscoe, Limited Sportsman; Tyler White, Accord, Mini Stocks, dual cam; Daniel Joubert, Troy, single cam. 

Looking Ahead:

Friday, July 3 Albany-Saratoga Honoring Our Military, Fireworks, $2500 to win Modifieds, $1300 to win Pro Stocks. 

On Saturday, July 4, Fonda is not racing due to Firecracker 50 special show they held on Wednesday, July 1. 

Saturday, July 4 at Lebanon Valley, Regular show featuring, Jason Herrington Memorial for 358-Modifieds and Fireworks.

Sunday, July 5 at Glen Ridge DIRTcar Sportsman Eastern Region Series event and CDRA points race plus all other divisions.

Until next week please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com