Friday night was another proud moment for Modified racer Brett Hearn — he figured his performance issues out and took his second win this season at Albany Saratoga Speedway — and he watched his 2013 protégé, Matt Pappa, secure his first Novice Sportsman win.

“We drove this car a couple of weeks ago to a ninth (May 17) and that’s really unlike us,” said the speedway’s winningest driver.  “We brought that home and analyzed every nut and bolt to try and get this car right and I think we nailed it tonight.”

Pappa got to pose for victory lane photos later in the night after securing his first win at the Malta oval in a full sized automobile on the dirt surface.

“It feels great to be back in victory lane,” said Pappa who is driving the 20jr.  “I’ve won here a couple of times on asphalt but now we’re in the big car on dirt and it’s even more fun.  I definitely have to thank Brett Hearn for teaching me everything I know right now.”

Come out and see if the duo can do it again on Friday night when Albany Saratoga Speedway hosts the Mike Ronca Memorial.  Ronca’s familiar #7 will be the theme for the second annual event.  A $100 bonus will be awarded to the leaders of lap 7 for all divisions while the Sportsman race will offer $700 to the race winner.  The Modified purse has $700 added and there is bonus money for the second and third place finishers in the Modified feature event as well.

Pit gates open at 4:00 p.m. with the grandstands opening at 5:00 p.m. Race time is 7:00 p.m.  The front gate is $10 for adults, kids under 12 are $2.00.  Entry in the pit area is $20 for members and $25.00 for non-members.

Don’t forget on Sunday management will offer the rescheduled ‘Electric City Riders AMA Motorcycle & 4-Wheeler Races and Swapmeet’ to the Malta site.  The gates for Sunday’s event open at 8:00 a.m.  Racing begins at noon.