By JO ANN & DON DAVIES

Published with permission from Area Auto Racing News

MALTA, NY –  “The Great Race Place” Albany-Saratoga Speedway, in Malta, N.Y, will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2015, secure in the knowledge of many more anniversaries to come with the announcement by local promoter and entrepreneur Howard Commander that he has purchased the speedway from the family of CJ Richards, who inherited the speedway at the passing of the family patriarch in 2012.

Commander has leased the speedway for the past three years (2012-2014) and now becomes only the fourth owner of the famed speedway that first opened its doors in 1965 with builder / owner Joe Lesik.  Considered a state-of-the art paved facility at that time, the track operated under the United Stock Car Racing Club (MA) banner.  Subsequent owners included Lou Figari (1968) and C. J. Richards (1977) who covered the asphalt with dirt.

The purchase of the track includes all equipment, bleachers, concessions and all other buildings located on the track grounds. Keeping the name as “Albany-Saratoga Speedway” is one of the many ways in which Commander looks to preserve the history of the famed speedway.  The track will continue as a Friday night DIRTcar Northeast sanctioned track with the same classes run this past year including Modifieds, Sportsman, Limited Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and 4 & 6 Cylinder cars.

“This has been a long process,” stated Bruce Richards, son of CJ, who acted as the Richards family agent at the closing.  “The topic of selling the property had been discussed by the family prior to dad’s passing and, he made it quite clear we need to live our lives and be happy.  I think he would be smiling right now and saying ‘well done’.”

Albany-Saratoga Speedway has played host to some of the most famous names in racing history such as Ed Flemke Sr., Richie Evans, Bugsy Stevens, Jerry Cook, Rene Charland, Pete Hamilton, and Jack Johnson. Then there are the current runners who are still setting records and who will become track legends once retired, such as Brett Hearn and Kenny Tremont Jr.  Part of that racing history includes having held two NASCAR Sprint Cup races, 1970 and 1971, that were won by Richard Petty and a Grand National East event held in 1972 that was won by Bobby Isaac.

Other innovations the speedway gave birth to include being the first to have a track tire rule, the first to run a 358 c.i. small block engine class for dirt Modifieds, and the first to retain a paved surface while adapting successfully to dirt track racing.

Commander confirmed Lyle Devore would continue as promoter and track manager. “Bruce and I think Lyle is doing a great job, both here and at Lebanon Valley (another Capital District speedway owned by Commander).  As General Manager, Lyle will be responsible for the day- to-day operations, any improvements and for notifying the racing public, car owners and everyone involved about what is happening.”