It is so hard to believe that Friday night is the final event on the 2013 race season at Albany Saratoga Speedway — where did the time go?  It was the second year for promoter Lyle DeVore at the Malta oval and he didn’t disappoint again this year.  As part of the season phase out last Friday night the Modified and Pro Stock titles were decided.

Brett Hearn drove his Madsen Overhead Doors automobile to another Modified point championship title.  Hearn had the most wins, getting to victory lane on four occasions.

“Championships represent more than just the driver, they represent a team effort and good sponsorship, good ownership, and a good crew chief — just good team work,” said Hearn who also brought in another successful ‘Big Show’ to the arena.

Since DeVore re-opened the place at the beginning of the 2012 race season, Hearn has claimed ownership of the point chase.

“It’s a blast racing here — let’s face it — this field is as tough as anywhere you will ever go and it gets better every year,” said Hearn, who also took the title at AS’s sister track, Lebanon Valley Speedway.  “The track is usually racy and it’s a great show.  We’re happy.”

Kenny Tremont, Marc Johnson, Ronnie Johnson and Jamike Sowle all got a taste of the limelight with two wins each.  Matt DeLorenzo, Peter Britten, Stewart Friesen, Keith Flach, Mark Kislowski, and Bodie Bellinger all made it there on one occasion.

Rob Yetman cleaned house in the Pro Stock division.  Yetman’s dominance came with eight feature wins, with his last win coming last Friday night.

“That was a great way to cap off the season,” said Yetman during post race ceremonies.  “The track was real slippery tonight so we made a bunch of changes for that —  I’ve always wanted a championship from there.  I liked it when Bruce [former promoter Richards] had it but I like it a lot better with the man [DeVore] we have now — it’s been a lot of fun.”

On Saturday Yetman heads North to Canada for the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series tour show at Autodrome Drummond in Quebec.

“It’s a big effort — night after night,” explained Yetman.  “I think my last season like this was in 2005.  We’ve got a little more work to do on the series this year but we can’t complain at all.”
The season finale on Friday night offers the CRSA Sprints plus a ‘Run What Ya Brung’ for Sportsman and a Warrior Series for the Pro Stocks along with weekly divisons.  Mike Sowle, of Sowle Trailer Repair, has added prize money to the Sportsman purse and to the Vintage Mods.

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.