Malta, NY – February 13, 2012 — When Albany-Saratoga Speedway race promoter Lyle DeVore kicks off his season opener on Thursday, April 19th, Brett Hearn will be on the weekly roster for 2012.

The 53-year-old Hearn, who holds the title for the most victories [98 wins] at the Malta-based oval, was thrilled that Howard Commander was leasing the oval from the Richards family. Hearn is part of the hype.

“I think it is going to be spectacular — from what I can hear and tell it’s off the charts,” said Hearn.

At the end of the 2009 race season Hearn vacated his successful Friday night runs at Albany-Saratoga Speedway after management paved the race surface. Hearn floated for two seasons and is now looking forward to a return to the Capital District area.

“It’s a perfect location and with all of the things that it didn’t or did have before, it was always known for some of the best racing and ultimately that is the most important thing,” said Hearn of the 4/10 mile stock car track. “That length track, for the cars the way they are, is just intense and very action packed.”

Last fall Commander and DeVore put the clay back down on the speedway and Hearn’s already checked out the new surface.

“It looks really tight,” recalled Hearn. “Lyle will definitely get the job done in that respect — I think it will be real consistent and the weather has definitely been on our side all winter — it’s going to be real good.”

Once again this year, Hearn and company will call Commander’s Lebanon Valley Speedway home base on Saturday nights.

“It was hard on us last year because a lot of the time we had to go back to the race shop to reload to go back up to Lebanon on Saturday so we were kind of going back and forth, back and forth so there wasn’t a lot of extra time,” said Hearn who completely redid the truck and trailer over the winter months.

“The way we have it this time is that we have one tire program, two cars in the trailer, one car in the area for a backup and it will be much easier on us, we will have what we need.”
Hearn, who also flirts with the promoting side of the sport [his Big Show events] was satisfied that the speedway wasn’t going to sit idle.

“It’s a good thing because Howard and Lyle have the people, the knowledge of the concessions and everything to make it all flow together,” said Hearn.

“For them to do what they are doing makes sense. They can blend it in to what they are already doing and that is a lot easier than somebody putting their heart and soul into and then having it end after a year or two. And they will do a good job with it.”

For race night sponsorship, signage availabilities or information, visit the Albany-Saratoga Speedway website at: www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com or contact the speedway at (518) 587-0220.