Hearn Wins Malta Opener

MALTA - When John Stockton and Karl Malone played together for the Utah Jazz, they comprised one of the best pick-and-roll combinations in the NBA.

Albany-Saratoga had its own version of Stockton and Malone Friday night, as Frank Hoard Sr. picked off A.J. Romano, and Brett Hearn rolled to victory in the 30-lap Crank It Up season opener Friday night.

The win was Hearn’s second straight opening-night victory at Albany-Saratoga, but this one was somewhat different because it was Hearn’s first win at the Malta track in the Vinny Salerno-owned small block that he’ll be campaigning during the 2004 season.

Had it not been for Hoard, however, Hearn wouldn’t have been sitting in the track’s new victory lane enclosure. Romano, who will be racing a full Friday night schedule at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, had the fastest car on the track, and Hearn even admitted after the race that he never would have been able to get around Romano’s small block.

But the lapped car of Hoard came into play on lap 20, when he slammed the door on Romano in the third turn, and Romano went into a spin, allowing Hearn to get the lead.

But Hearn didn’t waltz to victory. In the closing laps, he had Matt DeLorenzo to contend with, and there’s no driver hungrier for a victory at Albany-Saratoga than DeLorenzo.

On two laps restarts, DeLorenzo stuck the nose of his small block inside Hearn, looking for some room to squeeze by. But Hearn then switched lanes in the closing laps of the race, forcing DeLorenzo to stay behind him. DeLorenzo crossed the finish line second, which has become a familiar sight at Albany-Saratoga. During the 2003 season, DeLorenzo finished second five times - all behind Hearn.

Stewart Friesen, the 20-year-old Canadian who has replaced Hearn behind the wheel of the Madsen Motorsports small block, was impressive in his debut at Albany-Saratoga, finishing third. Don Scarborough was fourth, with another rookie, Tim Dwyer, fifth. Dwyer was the sportsman division champion at Fonda Speedway last season, but will be running a full schedule against the Malta 358s this season.

Completing the top 10 were Mike Perrotte, defending track champion Ken Tremont Jr., Don Ronca, Romano and Randy Hotaling.

Tony Ballestero put the Percy Barber-owned car into victory lane in the Line-X Modified feature, beating Tim Clemons to the finish line by 0.083 seconds. Defending track champion Tim Hartman was third, with Fred Proctor fourth and Mike Tholin fifth.

Tholin’s performance was noteworthy because he’s made a big move up from the old hobby stock class to the Line-X Modifieds, and he’s running a Jasper crate engine under the hood of his car.

Joe Santoro, who used to own the pro-street stock division, won the opening night race in that class. During the off-season, Santoro opted to join the CVRA Chevy spec engine program for the Amsoil pro street stocks, and the move obviously paid off. Santoro turned the quickest lap of the night, and then outran Henry Tanner to the checkered flag. They were followed by Brian Holbritter, Chris Maxon and defending track champion Butchie Irwin.

Chris Busta won the Rentway Limiteds feature, and Matt Thomas took the checkered flag in the six-cylinder Pro-Built Mini stocks feature. Jamie McCarthy had the first four-cylinder car across the finish line.

All divisions will be back in action at Albany-Saratoga Speedway Friday night for the 2004 Grand Re-Opening, which will include a fireworks display. Racing will begin at 7 p.m.

MODIFIEDS: BRETT HEARN, Matt DeLorenzo, Stewart Friesen, Don Scarborough, Tim Dwyer, Mike Perrotte, Ken Tremont Jr., Don Ronca, A.J. Romano, Randy Hotaling, Todd Ryan, Frank Hoard Sr., Jack Cottrell, Mike Ballestero, Donnie Corellis, Paul Cirincione, Jimmy Ryan, Scott Noel, Lucas Baker, Craig Simmons, Gene Munger, Ron Proctor, Jack Johnson, Don Ackner.

LINE-X MODIFIEDS: TONY BALLESTERO, Tim Clemons, Tim Hartman, Fred Proctor, Mike Tholin, Keith Flach, Stan Lemiesz, Jack Swinton, Neal Erickson, Dick Bisson, Rich Ronca, Dan Bublak, Ken Anatriello, Ricky Davis, Jimmy Cottrell, Joe Budka, Bill Cody, Jeff Sukup, David Towns, Derrick McGrew. B main: Dick Bisson.

AMSOIL PRO-STREET STOCKS: Joe Santoro, Henry Tanner III, Brian Holbritter, Chris Maxon, Butchie Irwin, Jimmy Eaton, Adam Tranka, Bill Smith, Jeff Washburn, Steve Burega, Walt Brownell Jr., Robert Langevin, Bob Schmidt, Vince Santoro, Don Piper, Ed Frank, Ed Thompson, Charlie Koenig, Bobby Gile, John Sullivan, Rob Muscanell, Matt Anatriello, Joe Lazzaro, Randy Brownell.

RENTWAY LIMITEDS: CHRIS BUSTA, Byron Westcott, John Laviolette, Pat Cram, Jim Monroe III, Jim Monroe Jr., Dave Emigh, Adam Stoddard, Mike Carman, Kevin VanChance, John Filarecki, Ed Sears, Tom Pierce, Bob Smith, Jonathan Coon, Bill Burlingame, Mike Scorzelli, Curtis Condon, Brian Ashline, Mike Pfau.

PRO-BUILT MINI-STOCKS: Matt Thomas, Elmer Montville, Tom Brunelle, Jeremy Brownell, Rich Mrzyglod, Dan Petronis, Amanda Clemens, Joe Naccarato, Brian Myers, Keith Keller, Ray Galusha, Randy Manhey, Emerson Ostrander, Jason Duncan. Four-cylinders: Jamie McCarthy.