August 5, 2011: MALTA, NY  –  Forget about that little rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Albany-Saratoga Speedway has its own battle brewing.

Ron Proctor continued his climb to the top of the points standings in the NASCAR Modified division at the historic Malta track, picking up his second straight win in Friday night’s 35-lap feature. The victory, Proctor’s third of the season, moved the veteran driver to within seven points of leader Joe Williams, who kicked off the season by winning four of the first five features.

But Proctor has been as red-hot as the summer weather, and continues his bid for his first championship ever at Albany-Saratoga Speedway. The win was also the 13th of Proctor’s career at the Malta track, ranging from big block modifieds to 358s to the current 602 NASCAR Modifieds.

Cody Sargen came off the front row and was the engine that pulled the train in the early stages of the feature, as the top five cars were running nose-to-tail and looking for wiggle room. Proctor, who started seventh, was up to third by lap eight, trailing just Sargen and teenager Jessey Mueller.

Proctor, who has had the perfect setup through the month of July, then swung to the outside on lap 11 and went past both Mueller and Sargen to get the lead. With the feature running without a caution, Proctor easily pulled away, sliced through lapped traffic and was nearly five seconds ahead of Mueller when he hit the finish line.

Mueller, who recorded his  first career victory three weeks ago at Devil’s Bowl, settled for the runner-up spot, his best finish ever at Albany-Saratoga, while Williams maintained his point lead with a third-place finish. Hunter Bates got up for fourth while Sargen was fifth, the third time this season he’s cracked the top five.

Dan Petronis drove to his second win of the 2011  campaign in the 30-lap pro late model feature. Petronis got the lead on lap seven and then had to hold off a late challenge from Darryl Carl. Carl tried his best to reel in Petronis, but in the closing laps, Carl had his hands full making sure he didn’t lose the No. 2 position to Brandon Emigh.

Frank Monroe recorded his third win of the season in the Renegade feature, and John McCarron was first under the checkered flag in the Bomber Warriors feature, getting his first win of the year. The night also featured a Super Soaker 100-lap enduro, which was won by Albert Weiner.

All divisions will be  back in action on Friday, Aug. 12 on SafeLite Auto Glass Night. One lucky fan will take home a 42-inch television, courtesy of the night’s sponsor.

NASCAR MODIFIEDS: RON PROCTOR, Jessey Mueller, Joe Williams, Hunter Bates, Cody Sargen, John Proctor, Paul Dunham Jr., Justin Haas, Dave Manny, Luke Klob, Fred Proctor, Jamie Proctor, Mike Bruno.
PRO LATE MODEL: DAN PETRONIS, Darryl Carl, Brandon Emigh, David Emigh, Paul Mulrain, Carl Guilefuss.
RENEGADES: FRANK MONROE, Andy Smith, Jonathan  Hayes, Rowdy Burch. DQ: Matt Livingston, Josh Coonradt.
BOMBER WARRIORS: JOHN MCCARRON, Dan Collins, Mark Lindblade, Harold Lavair Jr., Dan Older Jr., Tom Bristol, Blake Schwarting, Robert Sousis III.