Albany-Saratoga has an Inspection and Practice Session this Friday, April 10 with pit gates open at 2:00 pm with practice running 6-10 pm. Pit admission, $25 and free Grandstand. Concessions will be open.
Albany-Saratoga will open the gates for the 61st season on Friday, April 17 with the Super DIRTcar Series for Big Block Modifieds running 61 laps, $6100 to win. The DIRTcar Sportsman and Pro Stocks are also on the card.
Fonda Speedway has been silent since an Enduro event on Jan. 1. This weekend, cars hit the track for the 75th anniversary season at the Track of Champions.
Open Practice is set for this Saturday, April 11. All divisions are welcome to participate.
Pits open at 1 p.m. Cars hit the track at 3 p.m. with practice running through approximately 6 p.m. Pit admission is $35 (Non-Members) $30 (Members) and $10 (Kids 11 and under).
Grandstand admission is Free.
Concessions will be open in the grandstand and pit areas. Online Performance Parts/Stone Motorsports will be on hand with American Racer Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels and a complete line of oval-track parts.
On Saturday, April 18, the 12A Opening Day remembering the late Jumpin’ Jack Johnson takes to the track. On the racing card are the Modifieds in a 32-lap feature paying $4,012 to the winner, along with the Sportsman, 25 laps, $1,012 to win, Pro Stocks 20 laps, $812 to win, Limited Sportsman and Four Cylinders. Advanced Restoration & Cleaning presents the point season opener.
Last week we told you about the CDRA Series of six races with a new trophy honoring late Albany-Saratoga promoter, Lyle Devore, the L D Bossman Championship trophy to be awarded to the point champion of the six-race series.
This week we received news of the Newcomer of the Year (NOTY) contenders chasing the CDRA Series hardware this season.
There’s plenty of information coming from the CDRA on the Newcomer of the Year award beginning with Lebanon Valley Speedway racer AJ Albreada from East Greenbush, who won two Limited Sportsman races before moving up to Sportsman where he had 13 top ten finishes, and six top five last season.
Also from Lebanon Valley is Cam VanZandt of Lee, Ma. In 12 races last summer Cam had 11 top ten, four top five and two trips to victory lane.
Another teen competitor is Bodie Marks, from Scotia who raced at Malta last season and in 16 races had 14 top ten finishes, 12 top five, and three wins in Limited, and he was impressive in the Great Crate Classic.
Staying at Albany-Saratoga we see multiple women racers. First Warrensburg’s Jordan Hill who last season had 11 top ten finishes, six top five and is ready this season to earn respect as not just a women racer but a racecar driver.
Bomoseen, VT racer Katrina Leclaire is ready to lead the lady contingent chasing CDRA hardware. She’s a fan favorite in the green mountain state who’s looking to make her name known in the Capital District. Last season she racked up 10 top ten finishes, eight top five, and a win racing Saturday night weekly. Moving up to Sportsman and touring for 2026 may result in a NOTY.
Another women racer is Queensbury, NY racer Raelin Dunham. She spent time last summer racing Novice, but instead of moving into Limited she’s going Sportsman racing. Last summer she had 12 top ten finishes, eight top five, and two wins finishing fourth in Saturday night points.
One of the Vermont racers coming to take on CDRA’s finest is Brent Warren. Brent will call Albany-Saratoga his Friday night home. His record last season shows six top ten, four top five and one win.
Last but not least, pre-registered racer from Gloversville, EJ Gallup is a NOTY contender. Gallup has a busy schedule preventing serious weekly commitment. He races at Utica Rome and Glen Ridge, but a six-race series schedule suits him. Last season he entered a pair of CDRA events and scored two top 15 finishes. EJ has the skillset to vie for the NOTY honors in a stacked field.
More Newcomer Of The Year contenders may emerge as the season progresses this summer, but one thing is already certain; whomever claims the NOTY honors will have earned it. This will again be a storyline frequently talked about alongside the chase for the L.D. Bossman championship trophy. The most common advice for young racers or NOTY contenders; stick with it. Finish.
Until next time please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com
