Hearn Takes Fourth Win at Albany-Saratoga

MALTA, NY --7/18/97... The competition in the modified class has been fierce this

year at Albany-Saratoga, but Brett Hearn managed to notch his fourth win

on Friday in his Auto Palace/Pennzoil small block. He took the lead from

Don Ackner after the halfway point, and once in front was untouchable.

In sportsman action Brian McKenzie of Gansevoort, NY took his first win

ever over Ken Aanonsen. McKenzie took the lead with less than five to go

and went on to sit in victory lane for the first time with car owner Jim

Maloney.

In the 35-lap modified feature Don Ackner took the early lead from his

second place start. Early on, Hector Stratton slowed in turn four with

problems and headed to the pits as the yellow was thrown. Ackner chose

the outside on the restart, and Ron Dwyer also pitted with a flat tire

while officials sorted out the field. Once under green again Todd

Wilkinson showed some muscle, fighting with Ackner for the lead, but

Ackner held on to it.

Brett Hearn was on the move, going from 15th to 6th in less than five

laps. The traffic was heavy as Jeff Trombley got banged around and lost

five spots as they shuffled. Todd Ryan was in third behind Randy Hotaling

and Ackner was in the lead, but Ryan couldn't hold off Hearn as he kept

at him until he took third place. Meanwhile, Ken Tremont started working

the high side and hooked up, taking three spots in turn one. Jim Ryan

slowed in turn one and brought out the yellow with 15 to go. On the

restart Wilkinson got together with Brian Berger and sent Berger flying

into the infield. Another quick yellow to get Berger back in the field,

and Ackner chose to stay up on the cushion. Hearn moved into second on

the bottom and couldn't gain on Ackner. They were tight in the corners

but Hearn couldn't get enough bite down low to take first from the West

Sand Lake racer. As the first eight cars ran nose to tail, Hearn finally

went up high directly behind Ackner and got enough speed going to drop

down and take first on the inside.

Bob Savoie was flying through the field and took Ryan for third, and then

second from Ackner. Another yellow was thrown for Jack Cottrell as he

spun in turn one. The race went green once again with only six laps to

go. Caution again as John Harrison also spun in turn one, and Savoie went

to the bottom to try to get around the high-flying Hearn, but Savoie's

car began to push and Hearn cruised to a 6-car-length victory at the

checkers. At the finish it was Hearn, Bob Savoie, Don Ackner, Ken Tremont

and Todd Ryan. Tremont would be put back two spots on the official finish

for jumping the last restart, which knocked him out of the top five, and

gave fifth to Scarborough.

Brian McKenzie celebrated his first win in only his second year as a

sportsman driver. In the 25-lap sportsman feature, Kim Duell was the man

on a mission, as he was hooked up and working the top of the race track.

Ken Aanonsen held the lead as several cautions were thrown for mechanical

problems, including one for Ron Johnson. Jim Davis came on strong and

fought hard with McKenzie for second. McKenzie won that battle and went

after Aanonsen with only five to go. McKenzie took the lead and was

followed at the checkers by Aanonsen, Davis, Lance Harting and Mike

Ballestero.

Another first-time winner sat in victory lane as John Fitzgerald of

Ballston Spa won the pro street stock feature over Dave Crounse, Lucas

Baker and Tom O'Connor. Hobby stock winner Dan Lee saw the winner's

circle for the first time also, as he beat Gene Wetherington and David

Cook to the line.

MODIFIEDS: BRETT HEARN, Bob Savoie, Don Ackner, Todd Ryan, Don

Scarborough, Ken Tremont, Mike Perrotte, Don Ronca, Jeff Heotzler, Lee

Nutting, Mike Ricci, Ron Dwyer, Randy Hotaling, Todd Ryan, Andy Bachetti,

Brian Berger, Mike Ronca, John Harrison, Todd Wilkinson, Ron Proctor,

Mike Benson, Jack Cottrell, Jeff Trombley, Jim Ryan, Hector Stratton.

SPORTSMEN TOP 10: BRIAN MCKENZIE, Ken Aanonsen, Jim Davis, Lance Harting,

Mike Ballestero, Kim Duell, Dave Manny, Randy Delaney, Dave Sargent,

Scott Noel.