MALTA - Two days after the 4th of July, The Rocket finally ignited at Albany-Saratoga Speedway. Jack Cottrell, The Rock City Falls Rocket, ended one of the longest slumps of his racing career Friday night with a victory in the 35-lap modified feature at the historic Malta oval. Cottrell, a former late model champion who learned most of his early racing lessons at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, outran Gene Munger to become the 10th different winner in the modified division this season. The win was Cottrell’s first at Albany-Saratoga Speedway since June 8, 1996.
Cottrell’s modified racing career has been a roller-coaster ride. One of just a few New York drivers to ever win features at all three Albany-area tracks - Albany-Saratoga, Fonda and Lebanon Valley speedways - Cottrell had the distinction of winning the first-ever DIRT asphalt series race. But he also sat out a year after suffering a broken back in an accident at Lebanon Valley.
In recent years, he’s curtailed his racing operation back to one night a week, further limiting his opportunities for success, and last season, he left the CVRA to follow the now-defunct USNA Tour. But this year, he’s got his Kendall Oil-sponsored modified back up with the leaders at Albany-Saratoga Speedway. During one five-race stretch this season, from May 25 to June 22, he finished in the top five in four of five features, and everyone knew it was just a matter of time before he found his way back to victory lane.
His biggest threat was Munger, who was also looking for his first win of the season. The fresh powerplant under the hood of the Richardsdale Farms-sponsored machine carried Munger to a third-place finish on June 29, and he gave Cottrell a real battle on Friday. But Cottrell finished with a .0612-second margin of victory, and also turned the fastest lap of the race, stopping the automatic timer in 18.971 seconds on lap 17. Jim Ryan got up for third, with Andy Bachetti fourth and defending overall CVRA point champion Dave Camara fifth.
Although Camara has been one of the steadiest finishers at Albany-Saratoga Speedway this season, he’s still winless heading into the second week of July.The rest of the top 10 consisted on Don Scarborough, Mike Perrotte, Ken Tremont Jr., Matt DeLorenzo and Mike Ronca. Heat winners were Ryan, DeLorenzo and Jason Becker, with Bob Ogren taking the consy.
Jason Herrington drove to his first career victory in the 20-lap sportsman feature. Taking advantage of a good starting position, Herrington took control of the race early and easily pulled away from Dick Bisson to get the win, becoming the 10th different winner in that division. John Bellinger continued his impressive streak in the John Kollar-owned sportsman, finishing third, with defending track champion Tom Proctor fourth and John Harrison fifth.
The sportsman feature was run without a caution, and lasted just six and a half minutes.
Fred Little chalked up his second straight victory, and third of the season, in the 20-lap pro-street stock feature. Little came from deep in the pack to run down Dan Madigan and Bob Schmidt, who finished second, and third, respectively. Jeff Sukup was fourth, with Charlie Koenig fifth.
Teen-ager Lori Carey, the only female driver at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, drove to her second win of the season in the hobby stock feature, ruining a strong run by Curtis Condon. Condon qualified through the hobby B main and started deep in the pack, but charged up to the No. 2 position by the end of the 15-lap feature. Don Daniels finished third.
Jason Duncan won the four-cylinder cruiser division feature, while Dave Kennedy took the checkered flag in the six-cylinder division.
Albany-Saratoga Speedway will be back in action Friday with Armed Services night, honoring the men and women who served to protect our country during times of peace and times of strife. The racing card will also include an enduro. Racing will begin at 7 p.m.
MODIFIED FINISH: JACK COTTRELL, Gene Munger, Jim Ryan, Andy Bachetti, Dave Camara, Don Scarborough, Mike Perrotte, Ken Tremont Jr., Matt DeLorenzo, Mike Ronca, Tim Laduc, Vince Quenneville Jr., Don Ackner, Wayne Jelley, Scott Noel, Jason Becker, Brian Gerrain, J.R. Heffner, Frank Hoard Sr., Chuck Higley, Bob Ogren, Don Mattison, Todd Ryan, Brian McKenzie, Ron Proctor.
SPORTSMAN: JASON HERRINGTON, Dick Bisson, John Bellinger, Tom Proctor, John Harrison, Rich Ronca, Mike Ballestero, Frank Hoard Jr., Jack Gentile, Derrick McGrew, Tim Hartman, Elmo Reckner, Sput Shaw, Paul Cirincione, Gerry Conroy, Gary Gates, Jake Zak, Tony Ballestero, Jim Becker, Tim Adair, Randy Salisbury, Keith Nichols, Bob Matthews.
PRO-STREET STOCKS: FRED LITTLE, Dan Madigan, Bob Schmidt, Jeff Sukup, Charlie Koenig, Carl Vladyka, Ed Pieniazek, Matt Anatriello, Adam Tranka, Chris Maxon, Steve Burega, Joe Santoro, Bill Smith, Tigger Driscoll, Dave Uline, Mike Paquin, Rick French, Dave Shippee.
HOBBY STOCKS: LORI CAREY, Curt Condon, Don Daniels, Jon Coon, Chris Reckner, Jim Monroe, Gary Michaud, Mike Tholin, John Morris Jr., Mike Ostrander, Ken Towne, Cliff Brooks, John Filarecki, Dave Daniels, Bob Smith, Glen Evans, Vince Santoro, Roy Fifleld.
FOUR-CYLINDER CRUIERS: JASON DUNCAN, Jim Monroe Jr., Bill Lehman, Mitch Gaies, Elmer Montville, Jon Atwell, Mike Burdo, John Richter, Chuck Gauthier, Dan Uber, Joe Naccarato, Mike Minick, Kevin Van Chance.
SIX-CYLINDER CRUISERS: DAVE KENNEDY, W. Jon Smith, Chris Busta, Ron Earfrato, Tim Pelech, Luke MacIsaac, Foster Ribseman, Jeff Monroe.