Hearn Chalks Up Third Win at Albany-Saratoga
MALTA, NY -- Friday the 13th is usually synonymous with thrills, spills,
and downright strange occurrences in the racing community, but for the
second time this season at Albany Saratoga Speedway, the modifieds went
green to checkers without a caution as Brett Hearn won his third feature
of the year on "Freaky Friday". Hearn took the lead on the 29th lap in
his Brian Madsen owned, Auto Palace sponsored Teo, and cruised to his
16th victory in the past two seasons at "The Great Race Place". Tim
Hartman took the checkers in the caution-plagued, time-shortened
sportsman feature.
Ron Dwyer led at the flag from the pole position, but that was
short-lived, as Jim Ryan rocketed into the lead on the second lap and
quickly jumped out to a five car length lead. Ryan used the cushion to
run away from the field, as he continued to show his muscle on the CVRA
circuit. Meanwhile, Jeff Trombley looked extremely strong for the first
time this season, moving to third by the eighth lap, followed by Mike
Ronca and Randy Hotaling.
Jack Cottrell then moved up to challenge Hotaling and Ronca for the
third position, as Brett Hearn made a bonsai move down the back stretch,
moving between two cars for the 13th position on lap 10. Some of the
modifieds, including Hearn, were sporting NASCAR-esque sail panels in
commemoration of "Freaky Friday".
Soon Trombley began to bang on Dwyers door for second spot. The two
battled for five laps until Trombley finally made the pass stick, while
Hearn moved under Hector Stratton for seventh and then quickly around
Don Ackner for sixth. Hearn seemed able to move anywhere he wanted on
the speedway -- high, low, and in-between, as he ran to the front from
his 17th starting spot.
Ryans lead began to diminish at the halfway point of the 35 lap
feature, as Trombley, who had flipped his modified Sunday at the Devils
Bowl Speedway, began to close the gap. At the same time, Cottrell moved
by Dwyer for third and Brett Hearn sailed around Mike Ronca to crack the
top five.
On lap 23 the battle for the lead began between Trombley and Ryan. The
two would swap the lead back-and-forth several times as Hearn made quick
work of Cottrell, who has now had two great runs in a row, for the third
position. The two would not be able to settle their dispute for the lead
though, as Hearn stepped up to the top side of the speedway to rim-ride
past Trombley for second and then immediately switched lanes, powering
under Ryan in turn two to take the lead and victory.
Hearn easily moved away from the field, and Ryan secured the second
place finish by fending off Trombley. Trombley was then left to battle
Cottrell to the finish for the third spot. Cottrell made a great low
dive off of the fourth turn on the final lap to draw even with Trombley
at the wire in a near dead heat. Cottrell was credited with the third
place finish by a bumper, followed by Trombley and Mike Ronca.
The top 10 were completed by Dwyer, Hotaling, Mike Perrotte, Kenny
Tremont, and Ackner.
The sportsman feature resembled more closely a Friday the 13th movie
than a Friday the 13th race, as competitor after competitor dropped by
the wayside, and caution after caution brought the race to its 30 minute
time limit, fittingly, at lap 13. Tim Hartman won, or rather, survived
to take the honors, outrunning Ronnie Johnson, Joe Budka, Mike
Ballestero, and Tim Laduc to the premature checkered flag.
Steve Burega took his second straight Hobby Stock feature event after
leader Chuck Knowlton dropped out with mechanical problems. In
Pro-Street Stock action, Lucas Baker became the first non-"Mike" to win
a feature at Malta, leading Jim Duncan across the stripe. Chad Miller
was third, while Tom OConner and Dave Crounse rounded out the top five.
Mike Fritz had an eventful Friday the 13th. He led early in the
Pro-Street feature before spinning, and then spun once again after
battling back up to the fourth position.
MODIFIEDS: BRETT HEARN, Jim Ryan, Jack Cottrell, Jeff Trombley, Mike
Ronca, Ron Dwyer, Randy Hotaling, Mike Perrotte, Ken Tremont, Don
Ackner, Hector Stratton, Lee Nutting, Vince Quenneville, Mike Benson,
Jeff Heotzler, Mike Ricci, Don Ronca, Todd Ryan, Bob Savoie, Guy
Sheldon, Brian Berger, David Towns, John Harrison, Mike Bruno.
SPORTSMEN: TIM HARTMAN, Ron Johnson, Joe Budka, Tony Ballestero, Tim
LaDuc, Jeff Betit, Bob Schmidt, Ken Aanonsen, Todd Morey, Tom Proctor.