Bob Savoie Wins First Race at Albany-Saratoga Speedway

MALTA NY, 4/13/97- Bob Savoie of Broadalbin, NY was able to snatch a victory away from the hard-charging Jeff Heotzler with only two laps to go in Sunday's first race of the season at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in the 358 modified division. Savoie is once again driving the #64 NAPA car owned by Mike Budka. The sportsmen winner was Lance Harting of Schenectady NY, winning the 20 lap feature over Randy Delaney and Mike Ballestero. With more than 80 cars checked in, despite a gloom and doom forecast and a chilly day, CVRA officials were pleased with the turnout, and happy to get the first race under their belts in 1997.

With 31 modifieds in the pits for the initial race of the season, four heat races were run, seeing Mike Ricci, Brett Hearn, Ken Tremont and Robbie Green taking their heats. Randy Hotaling won the modified consi. The line-up for the 35 lap feature was by luck of the draw after the qualifying heats.

Brett Hearn took the lead from Mike Benson after a caution on lap three, and began to pull away from the pack when an electrical problem on lap eight forced him to the pits for the night. Benson took the lead back and held onto it until the 16th lap, when Jeff Heotzler scrambled by him for the lead. With two to go, Heotzler was in first, with Ken Tremont trying to challenge. John Harrison lost a tire going into turn one, Heotzler couldn't avoid him, and ended up with a flat right front in the scuffle. Tremont was stuck behind the mess, but Bob Savoie had been running in third at the time, and he was able to scoot around the pile-up by going down and around, off the edge of the track, and took the lead. He held off Don Scarborough for two laps for the win. Behind Scarborough was Mike Ricci, Mike Benson and A.J. Romano in fifth.

In sportsmen action, Harting took the lead from Jeff Betit on lap nine, he was later challenged by Randy Delaney, but was able to post his first win of the young season over Delaney, Mike Ballestero, Jeff Betit ended up fourth, and Tony Ballestero crossed the line in fifth. The street stock feature event was won by Mike Bradley of Hoosick Falls, always a threat at the Malta oval. He took the first checkered of the season ahead of Dave Crounse and Mike Fritz. In hobby stock action, Rob Yetman ran away with the win, challenged only by Steve Burega in his beautiful new #26.

MODIFIED FINISH: Bob Savoie, Don Scarborough, Mike Ricci, Mike Benson, A.J. Romano, Vince Quenneville, Don Ronca, Guy Sheldon, Ken Tremont, David Towns, Todd Ryan, Jeff Trombley, Mike Ronca, Jeff Sheely, Jeff Heotzler, John Harrison, Randy Hotaling, Don Ackner, Mike Perrotte, Todd Stone, Robbie Green, Brian Berger, Lee Nutting, Brett Hearn. SPORTSMEN TOP 10: Lance Harting, Randy Delaney, Mike Ballestero, Jeff Betit, Tony Ballestero, Tim LaDuc, Jim Senzio, Brian Whittemore, Ron Johnson, Dave Manny. Bob Savoie Wins First Race at Albany-Saratoga Speedway