A few years ago some folks were worried about the lack of younger blood invading the sport, but last Friday’s Modified feature event at Albany Saratoga Speedway saw the younger blood claiming a stake on the front two running spots after the checkered flag dropped on the 35-lap event. Race winner Bodie Bellinger and Jeremy Wilder clearly entertained and impressed another packed house.

For Bellinger, it was his first career Modified victory at the Malta speedplant.  The 17 year old jumped into the lead immediately after the green silk dropped and he never looked back.   And Bellinger is no stranger to this place so he knew that some of the best in the business were running him down.

“I knew I couldn’t think about them,” said Bellinger of his co-racers.  “You don’t know whose coming or how fast they are coming so I knew I just had to keep going forward.  I was running as hard as I could and I had to keep hitting my marks on the bottom.”

On the 22^nd circuit the second-place runner at the time, Stewart Friesen, got by Bellinger on the top of the race surface but a caution came out putting the field back in order prior to the last restart — a wake-up call for the youngster.

“Friesen got up there beside me and the caution came out — it was just at the right time,” laughed Bellinger who continued a smooth run to the very end.  “I just couldn’t think about what was going on around me.  We were hoping for a top three tonight so we did good.”

Bellinger’s background is pretty amazing.  He started with motocross at the age of three, moving onto the Legend cars a few years later.  In 2008 Bellinger’s parents [John and Karen] got permission for Bodie to run a Sportsman car at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, where he secured the title in his second season.  When Albany Saratoga Speedway reopened as a dirt track in 2012, Bellinger and his parents were right there ready to run with the Modifieds.  In 2012 Bodie received the ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors at the awards celebration.

“My dad is so happy and yeah my mom was emotional,” said a very happy Bellinger about an hour after his pitside victory celebration.  “I can’t thank them enough for all of this — my dad does the setup and he’s great at what he does.”

As for 22 year old Wilder —  He’s had one good run after another at the ‘Great Race Place’ but is still in search of his first win of the season at the Malta oval.  Wilder currently sits eighth in the point standings while Bellinger is 11^th.

Come see if the young guns can rule the Malta clay again this week.  The DMA USAC Midgets and NYDM Vintage Mods plus a Warrior Series offering $500 to the Pro Stock winner and an appearance by ‘Buff the Stuff’ Bagwell will join a regular card of racing.

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.  Entry in the pit area is $20 for members and $25 for non-members.