MALTA, N.Y. – It’s a lot like New Year’s Eve at Albany-Saratoga Speedway these days. The ball has started to drop, and a new era is about to begin.

One of the most highly anticipated seasons of racing will kick off on Friday, April 22 at the historic Malta track, which has been racing continuously since 1965.

Albany-Saratoga Speedway was an asphalt track from 1965-76, and was the Friday night home for some of the biggest names in racing, including the legendary Richie Evans. When Champlain Valley Racing Association founder C.J. Richards took over the operation of the track in 1977, he switched the racing surface to dirt, but CVRA management decided to go back to its roots last season, switching back over to asphalt.

And the evolution continues this year.

Fans will begin to see the new changes as soon as they pull off Route 9 and are greeted by a new sign, sporting the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series logo. Albany-Saratoga and its sister track, Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vt., will be running under the NASCAR banner this season, enjoying the support that comes from being affiliated with the country’s most prestigious sanctioning body.

The changes will continue at the ticket booth, where families can now take advantage of the family four-pack, a ticket package for two adults and two students or children that will ease some of the strain on the wallet.

And the biggest change will be on the track, where the premier division will be the NASCAR Modifieds, powered by 602 crate engines. The racing world will be watching closely as Albany-Saratoga Speedway becomes the first Northeast track to turn a support division into its premier class.

Pro Late Models, Renegades and Bomber Warriors will also be on the weekly card.

Because of an influx of sponsor money, the top payoff in each division will be guaranteed. The NASCAR Modifieds will run for $1,000 to win; the Pro Late Model winner will receive $500; the top payout in the Renegade class will be $200; and the Bomber Warrior winner will receive $150.

This season, the racing program at Albany-Saratoga will also include the INEX Legends. The division, highly popular in the Southern states, is also an affordable way to get into racing, and its Young Lions class allows drivers between the ages of 12 and 15 to compete on a regular basis.

It’s an out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new year at Albany-Saratoga, as many new faces will be roaming the pits. But the driver that they’ll all be chasing in the NASCAR Modified division is 16-year-old Hunter Bates. The Vermont driver walked off with CVRA Driver of the Year Honors last season, in only his second full year behind the wheel of an open-wheel race car. In 27 races at the two CVRA tracks, Bates had 23 top-five finishes, including four victories.

But a number of other young guns, including Alex Bell, Bobby Hackel IV, Kevin Wright and Jesse Mueller, will be challenging Bates for the track championship at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Another driver to keep an eye on is Sheldon Martin, a smooth-as-silk competitor who is expected to be one of the top guns in the Pro Late Model class.

Drivers at both CVRA tracks will be competing for a share of the lucrative NASCAR point fund, with a combined $33,000 going to the top 10 drivers in the four divisions. Individual track champions will also be eligible to compete for NASCAR’s regional and national point championships.

Opening night at Albany-Saratoga on April 22 will be Good Deal Friday, which will include a $20 per carload admission price. All of the NASCAR divisions will be in action. Grandstands will open at 5:45, with qualifying beginning at 7 p.m.

A number of family-oriented promotions and giveaways will be held throughout the 2011 season at the track, according to promoter Bruce Richards. “When people in the area want to go out for some clean, affordable family fun, I want them to think about Albany-Saratoga Speedway,” said Richards.

Fans who want to get a sneak peak at what’s going to be going on at Albany-Saratoga Speedway this season can attend the track’s open house and practice session on Saturday, April 16. The track will be open for practice from 1 to 5 p.m., and grandstand admission is free.

Additional information about Albany-Saratoga Speedway can be obtained by going to their website at www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com.