Over 200 unique, classic, and custom vehicles were on display in Hadley last Saturday for the Lil’ Sugar Dust Off car show.
Tonight, Albany-Saratoga Speedway will have DIRTcar big block modifieds, DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman, and DIRTcar pro stocks in a $1,300-to-win feature, a $500 street stock feature, and the 4-cylinder division. Utica-Rome Speedway has a regular weekly show with DIRTcar 358 modifieds, DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman, DIRTcar pro stocks, and limited sportsman.
Tomorrow night, Fonda Speedway has the annual Bill Ag Memorial Modified Elimination Race, with a few slight changes to this year’s program. Shelly Shaffer has been busy the last couple of months contacting sponsors new and old to build up the bonus/prize money for this special event. Over $10,000 has been raised in cash and gift certificates for the elimination race and the regular modified feature. Due to the chilly weather, Fonda will start early tomorrow; the grandstands open at 3:00 p.m., hot laps start at 5:00 p.m., and racing begins at 6:00 p.m.
The Fonda Speedway Kids Club has announced a few of their extra special nights: May 9th is Junior Flagging, May 30th is Bike Night, July 18th is Christmas in July, and August 1st is Backpack Night. For those of you who like to compete in the Enduro races, next Saturday, May 9, is your opportunity.
Orange County Fair Speedway has a practice on Saturday with pit gates opening at 3:00 p.m. and practice running from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The four fast time-trialers will earn the pole position for the heat races on Sunday. Sunday morning begins with the Benson’s Pet Center car show and meet-and-greet at the Benson’s Pet Center store located in Wilton at 3083 NY-50, Saratoga Springs. The store is east of the Wilton Mall. From 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., modified driver Jack Lehner will have his big block modified on-site, along with merchandise and the pro stock division cars of Kim Duell and his son Scott Duell.
Glen Ridge Motorsports Park will open for its 23rd season on Riley Mortuary Night with a full program of weekly divisions. Pit gates open at 3:00 p.m., grandstands at 4:00 p.m., the drivers' meeting is at 5:00 p.m., hot laps are at 5:30 p.m., and racing starts at 6:00 p.m.
On Sunday, May 3rd, Weedsport Speedway will host the $5,000-to-win Ice Breaker 50 presented by Stop DWI New York for DIRTcar big block modifieds. Also on the program are the DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman Central Region $1,000-to-win and the Empire Street Stock Series. Pit gates open at 3:00 p.m., grandstands at 4:00 p.m., and racing begins at 6:00 p.m. Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown will open for its 107th season when they present the Big Series 3 and host the DIRTcar big block modifieds on Sunday, May 3, with hot laps at 4:45 p.m. and racing at 6:00 p.m.
On Saturday, May 23rd, the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame will induct its 2026 honorees in the Fonda Speedway Museum at 1:00 p.m. This is a free event and all are welcome to attend. This is a great opportunity for fans of all ages to visit with not only the new Hall of Fame members but also any other members of the racing community who will be there.
A sad note this week is the passing of Dick Hicks. Dick was known throughout the Northeast as a fabricator, builder, and rebuilder of race car rear ends, transmissions, and steering boxes at his HICO Fabrication business. As president of the New York State Stock Car Association, it was an honor to induct Mr. Hicks into the NYSSCA Hall of Fame in January of 2018.
Results from last week at Albany-Saratoga Speedway: in the DIRTcar Next Generation Roofing big block modified division 35-lap feature, Marc Johnson was the winner over Mike Mahaney and Matt Delorenzo. The DiCarlo’s DIRTcar 358 modified division 25-lap feature went to Mike Mahaney over Marc Johnson and Felix Roy. The Wholey DIRTcar crate 602 sportsman division 25-lap feature was won by Chris Crane Jr. over Tim Hartman Jr. and Cole Hentschel. The Saratoga Masonry Supply DIRTcar pro stock division 25-lap feature saw Brandon Emigh claim the victory over Chuck Dumblewski and Kim Duell. In the Cornell’s street stock division 20-lap feature, Tyler Irwin won over Chris Murray and Jeff Meltz. In the Greg’s Towing 4-cylinder division, Josh Reome was the feature winner for dual cam and Ben Ladd was the first single cam across the line.
Last Friday evening, Fonda Speedway tentatively moved up its starting time for Saturday’s program. Then, Saturday morning, they chose to cancel due to the impending weather. Unfortunately for the Track of Champions, rain never came through the area and they lost a night of racing. I reserved my train ticket on Friday and made plans for Saturday to attend the Lil’ Sugar Dust Off car show in Hadley. I took the scenic train ride on the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railway, had a nice breakfast put on by the local Senior Center, and spent a few hours checking out the over 200 classic cars that were on display.
Saturday evening saw many tracks throughout the Empire State cancel their racing programs. Fortunately, the foul weather stayed south of Devil's Bowl Speedway in the Green Mountain State of Vermont, where the Super DIRTcar Series for the 358 modified division was competing. "Money Mat" Williamson was able to fend off all challenges and win the 60-lap feature; Alex Payne finished second followed by Mike Mahaney, Justin Stone, and Tim Fuller. Justin Comes won the 20-lap sportsman shootout.
On Sunday, Utica-Rome Speedway held the 2nd annual Jim Normoyle Memorial for the DIRTcar pro stock division, with the winner's prize money starting at a base of $1,374 plus bonuses for the 47-lap DIRTcar pro stock feature. Jim's son-in-law, A.J. Walters, took the lead around lap 30 and went back-to-back to earn the prestigious victory for the second year in a row and his first DIRTcar Pro Stock Series win, followed by Pete Stefanski and Slater Baker. Jim's other son-in-law, Ivan Joslin, was the early leader until suffering transmission issues. In the 30-lap big block modified feature, Zach Payne was the early leader until Alex Yankowski got around him at about the midway point. Mat Williamson ran third for much of the race, with Alex Payne getting by at the end to claim third place.
Airborne Park Speedway held the Leon Gonyo Memorial 40-lap feature for the DIRTcar 358 modified division. Felix Roy scored that win over Billy Dunn and Mike Mahaney.
