Savoie Takes Two In A Row at Albany-Saratoga Speedway
MALTA NY—After winning last week’s opener at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway due to the misfortune of the two leaders, Jeff Heotzler and Kenny Tremont, some may have dismissed Bob Savoie’s victory as pure luck, a gift from the racing gods so to speak. But after Sunday evening’s 35 lap modified feature at the "Great Race Place" one thing was certain. Savoie will be a legitimate contender for the 1997 track championship here in Malta. In the sportsman division, Ronnie Johnson of Duanesburg saw his first career victory in only his second start as a sportsman.
Modified heat winners were Ron Dwyer, Ken Tremont, Don Scarborough and Brett Hearn. The modifieds drew for position once again, and John Harrison sat on the pole for the feature event. Savoie, in the NAPA Auto Parts Troyer owned by Mike Budka, took the lead on the fifth lap of the main event, and never looked back. "Bullet Bob,"
as he has come to be known, started sixth in the 26-car field and outran Malta newcomer Jeff Heotzler to remain undefeated thus far in the young season. Mike Ricci finished a strong third, while Brett Hearn and Hector Stratton rounded out the top five.
John Harrison took the lead at the green flag and led until the lap two caution which forced Hearn and Tremont to the rear. Shortly after the restart Savoie made the move to the lead, which he would never relinquish, through turns three and four. Hector Stratton, who had started the race in third, followed Savoie past Harrison for the second slot. Savoie and Stratton ran close for awhile, as Harrison, Ron Dwyer, Todd Ryan, and A.J. Romano put on a great show, dicing for positions three through six, until lap 12, when Harrison and Ryan locked bumpers while battling down the front stretch and came to a stop in the first turn, bringing out the yellow.
After the restart, Heotzler had moved from his twelfth place start to second, as he, Stratton and Savoie dueled it out for the lead. A very impressive running Mike Benson moved to the fifth spots, and Hearn had worked his way back to the top ten as the race neared the halfway point. Savoie then pulled out to a half straightaway lead over Heotzler, as Benson and Ricci passed Dwyer for fourth and fifth. Ricci moved up to third, taking Stratton with four to go, and Hearn followed suit, moving past Stratton on the final lap to secure a fourth place finish, capping an exciting and profitable charge from the rear. Benson dropped to sixth, followed across the line by Dwyer, Romano, Tremont and Don Scarborough, completing the top ten. Savoie’s high line around the speedway’s cushion solidified hisearly season point lead at Albany-Saratoga.
In sportsman action, Ronnie Johnson was thrilled with his first ever win.Johnson, son of racing legend Jack Johnson, took second place from Chuck Higley on lap 16 while simultaneously the leader, Scott Noel, who had been smoking heavily throughout the race, pulled to the infield on the backstretch, giving Johnson the lead and win in the 20-lap feature. Higley held on for second over Randy Delaney, Tony Ballestero and Tim Hartman.
In the pro street stock main, Mike Fritz led most of the way in a dominating victory over Lucas Baker and Mike Bradley. Ryan Odasz picked up the victory in the hobby stock feature, continuing his success from last year.He was followed across the line by David Uline and Steve Burega, after second place runner Mark Older spun on the final lap. Albany-Saratoga will be back in action this week on the 25th, with its first Friday night event of the season. Racing begins promptly at 7:00 p.m., with the rain date set for Sunday.
MODIFIED FINISH: BOB SAVOIE, Heff Heotzler, Mike Ricci, Brett Hearn, Hector Stratton, Mike Benson, Ron Dwyer, A.J. Romano, Ken Tremont, Don Scarborough, Don Ronca, Jeff Trombley, Lee Nutting, Vince Quenneville, Todd Ryan, Mike Ronca, Don Ackner, Gardner Stone, Robbie Green, Floyd Billington,Guy Sheldon, Randy Hotaling, John Harrison.
SPORTSMEN TOP 10: RON JOHNSON, Chuck Higley, Randy Delaney, Tony Ballestero, Tim Hartman, Vince Quenneville, Joe Budka, Jim Introne, Dave Sargent,Brian McKenzie, Tom Proctor, Dave Manny, Todd Morey, Lance Harting, Jim Davis, Tim LaDuc, Gary McLain, Ken Aanonsen, Jim Sperbeck, Jeff Betit, Scott Noel, Don Mattison, Jim Senzio, Mike Ballestero.