Hearn Makes It Two In A Row at Albany-Saratoga
MALTA, NY -- Brett Hearn was able to recover from an early race pileup in
which he was caught up and go on to win his second in a row at
Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Friday. Ken Tremont gave his best effort
trying to catch Hearn late in the race, but was una!
ble to get by the "Jersey Jet" and had to settle for second place. In
sportsmen racing, Ron Johnson cruised to his fourth win of the season in
that division, with Joe Budka in second. Because it was a double point
show, the win put Johnson back in front by !
only a three-point margin over Mike Ballestero (who finished third in the
feature).
A big pile up after only one circuit in the 35-lap modified event began
with Hector Stratton and Brian Berger coming together in turn four. Don
Ronca plowed into the wall after going up and over Jeff Trombley's wheel,
rolling his car on the frontstretch and!
ending up on his roof. Ken Tremont, Brett Hearn and Don Scarborough
along with at least four other cars got caught up in the ensuing
scramble, with most able to continue the race. After the restart Brian
Gerrain led the field, with Jack Cottrell moving int!
o second place. A few laps later Cottrell took the lead just as another
caution flew when Scarborough, Todd Ryan, Mike Benson and Jim Ryan
tangled in turn one. Tim Dwyer was in fourth place behind Cottrell,
Gerrain and David Towns. Just two laps later Guy S!
heldon slowed on the the back, causing the yellow to come out again as
Hearn moved into fifth place followed closely by Jeff Heotzler.
The field finally settled down with 10 laps in the books as Ken Tremont
broke the top 10. Hearn took the lead from Cottrell just two laps later
but Cottrell stayed with him as he seemed to be faster in turns three and
four. The two ran side by side for four!
laps before another caution as Sheldon and Benson got together. On the
restart Tremont moved into third place behind Cottrell as he ran the low
side of the race track with Heotzler following him. For the next five
laps the four of them battled as Cottrell !
tried to get his lead back, and Heotzler and Tremont switched places
several times. With 10 to go Tremont got by Cottrell with a high sliding
move in turn four to take second place. After that point Hearn stayed
glued to the rail down low as Tremont tried t!
o stay within striking distance. With four to go Hearn had problems with
lapped traffic, but managed to stay out in front by several car lengths.
Cottrell continued his great run, while Bob Savoie and Tim Dwyer fought
fo!
!
r the fifth place spot. At the finish it was Hearn, Tremont, Cottrell and
Heotzler, with Savoie edging Dwyer by a nose at the line for fifth.
In a victory lane interview, Hearn revealed that he had worn out his
brake calipers halfway through the race and had run the last 15 laps
without any brakes at all as he struggled to keep the Auto
Palace/Pennzoil car in the corners.
In the 25-lap sportsman feature Ron Johnson was out in front with the #7,
sitting in victory lane for the fourth time this season. Joe Budka was
across the line in second, followed by Mike Ballestero, Jim Senzio and
Tim LaDuc. The street stock race saw Mike!
Bradley of Eagle Bridge NY in the winner's circle, followed by Dave
Crounse, Lucas Baker, Jim Duncan and Tom O'Connor. Hobby stock winner was
Ryan Odasz.
MODIFIEDS: BRETT HEARN, Ken Tremont, Jack Cottrell, Jeff Heotzler, Bob
Savoie, Tim Dwyer, Don Ackner, David Towns, Lee Nutting, Don Scarborough,
Mike Ricci, Ron Dwyer, Brian Gerrain, Mike Ronca, Jeff Trombley, Mike
Benson, Vince Quenneville, Todd Ryan, Hect!
or Stratton, Randy Hotaling, Mike Perrotte, Guy Sheldon, Jeff Sheely, Jim
Ryan, Brian Berger, Don Ronca.
SPORTSMEN TOP 10: RON JOHNSON, Joe Budka, Mike Ballestero, Jim Senzio,
Tim LaDuc, Kim Duell, Lance Harting, Jim Davis, Scott Noel, Todd Morey.
STREET STOCKS TOP 10: MIKE BRADLEY, Dave Crounse, Lucas Baker, Jim
Duncan, Tom O'Connor, Dean Brown, Mike Fritz, John Fitzgerald, Mike
Paquin, Matt Rich.