Tremont Nabs Second Win at Albany-Saratoga, Keel Wins ESS Main

MALTA NY -- Kenny Tremont emerged the victor in the 35-lap small block

feature at Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Friday night, after qualifying

through the consolation event and starting in 21st place. Maybe the

combination of the 21st spot and the #21 had something to do with it,

because earlier in the night Tremont didn't look so lucky. Also qualifying

through the consi were former feature winners Bob Savoie and Brett Hearn.

Hearn would end up 3rd after changing a motor in his car and starting

next-to-last, and Savoie would finish in sixth.

The sportsmen event saw first-time winner Jeff Betit of White Creek, NY

start on the pole and stay there for 25 laps, as the race went nearly

caution free being the last feature on a track slicked up by the modifieds

and Empire Super Sprints. Craig Keel of Weedsport, NY took the ESS main

event followed by Mike Woodring. Woodring would win the Hard Charger award

after gaining 13 spots in the feature.

Nine cars lined up for the modified consi, with six making it into the 24

car starting grid, including Lee Nutting, Mike Perrotte, Savoie, David

Towns, Tremont and Hearn. Hearn lost an engine in warm-ups and the crew got

a big break in their efforts to drop another powerplant in the Auto Palace

car. With the sprints sharing the card they had plenty of extra time to get

the engine in place before the consolation event.

Jim Ryan had the early lead after the green flag, but Hector Stratton

quickly took the top spot with Don Ronca in third and Tim Dwyer fourth. Ryan

would take the lead back, leaving Stratton and Ronca to battle for second.

Ken Tremont was on the move early, charging from the back of the field. As

Tremont moved into the top three, Ronca and Ryan were fighting it out and

Tremont used it to his advantage, getting by Ryan for the lead. With 19 down

a caution flew for Mike Ricci who slowed with mechanical problems and

Perrotte followed him to the pits. On the restart it was Tremont in first,

followed by Ronca, Ryan, Jeff Trombley and then Jeff Heotzler who moved into

fifth with Hearn right behind him. Stratton had dropped out of the picture

back in eighth place. Trombley looked strong but began to lose some ground

as he experienced problems with a new engine.

After the start, Heotzler charged by Trombley, taking Hearn with him. As the

field strung out, Tremont took off to a half straightaway lead. Ronca held

on to second until less than 10 to go, when Heotzler managed to get by him.

With seven to go Tremont ran into lapped traffic and Heotzler tried to chase

him down, closing the gap to about five car lengths. With five to go Hearn

got around Ronca to move into third behind Heotzler as Don Scarborough and

Bob Savoie moved into fifth and sixth place. That's how they would finish as

Heotzler ran out of laps and couldn't get close enough to Tremont to make a

difference. At the checkers it was Tremont with his second win of the year,

followed by Heotzler, Hearn, Don Ronca, Don Scarborough, Bob Savoie, Todd

Ryan, Tim Dwyer and Jeff Trombley.

Following Betit to the line in sportsmen racing was Mike Ballestero and

Terry Stacy. Stacy had a late start in his rookie year as a sportsman but

has two fine finishes in a row. Brian McKenzie was fourth with Danny Ody in

fifth. The large crowd was treated to a good show by the Empire Super

Sprints as Keel flew to the checkers. Every time Keel shows up at

Albany-Saratoga in recent memory, he usually ends up in the winner's circle.

He obviously likes the place.

Street stock action saw another new face in victory lane, with young racer

Dave Horning Jr. taking the checkers, followed by Lucas Baker and Tom

O'Connor. Mike Fritz and Mike Paquin rounded out the top five. Hobby stock

winner was Steve Burega as he was chased to the finish by Paul Mulrain and

Ryan Odasz.

MODIFIEDS: KEN TREMONT, Jeff Heotzler, Brett Hearn, Don Ronca, Don

Scarborough, Bob Savoie, Jim Ryan, Todd Ryan, Tim Dwyer, Jeff Trombley,

Hector Stratton, David Towns, Vince Quenneville, Don Ackner, Guy Sheldon,

Mike Ronca, Jack Cottrell, Lee Nutting, Jeff Sheely, Mike Perrotte, Mike

Benson, Mike Ricci, Randy Hotaling, John Harrison.

SPORTSMEN TOP 10: JEFF BETIT, Mike Ballestero, Terry Stacy, Brian McKenzie,

Danny Ody, Tim Hartman, Ron Johnson, Scott Noel, John Ruchel Jr., Tim LaDuc.