Tremont takes 100 lap Opener

MALTA - The Johnsons put a double-team on Ken Tremont Jr. Friday night, but they couldn't keep Tremont out of victory lane at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Holding off the father-and-son combination of Jack and Ronnie Johnson, Tremont kicked off the 2006 season at the historic Malta track in a big way, grabbing the top prize of $3,000 in the 100-lap Bobcat of Saratoga 358 modified feature sponsored by Coors Light.

A packed house watched as Tremont picked up his 42nd career victory at Albany-Saratoga, and his first opening-night win since the 2000 season.

It was by no means easy, as Jack Johnson, the winningest driver in the history of the speedway, was working the low groove to perfection, and on a couple of occasions, was running door- handle-to-door-handle with Tremont. But Tremont was helped by a number of late cautions, and came away with the win.

While Johnson was working the low groove, Tremont kept the S&S Asphalt Paving small block up as high as he could go. “I have never run so close to the wall here at Albany-Saratoga,” said Tremont in victory lane. “A couple of times, I said to myself, "Man, I should have been over the bank that time.”

Tremont had started sixth in the bulky field of 32 small blocks, which included eight sportsman who transferred to the 358 modified main after competing in a set of time trials. But early in the night, all eyes were on the Four Star Racing small block of two-time defending track champion Brett Hearn.

Hearn had started ninth in the Vinny Salerno-owned small block, but made a couple of quick darting moves early in the feature, and was second, behind Jeff Trombley, after just eight laps. Two circuits later, Hearn rocketed past Trombley on the outside of turn four to take the lead, and on lap 21, Tremont dropped Trombley back to third.

Hearn maintained his advantage until lap 34, when he pulled into the pits with engine problems, as the power plant had been showing signs of smoke. That put Tremont in the lead, reminding Albany-Saratoga fans of last year's CVRA.com 100, when Hearn retired with a sick motor on lap 88, enabling Tremont to get the win.

The Johnsons kept the fans entertained with some exciting side-by-side racing, and moved up to second and third when Trombley was involved in a crash of lap 40, ending what had looked like a promising night.

With cautions keeping Tremont out front, Jack Johnson never took the pressure off his son, and finally moved into the second spot for good with 19 laps left. But Tremont hit the finish line with a 1.624-second advantage, with Ronnie Johnson right behind his father. The win was actually the third in a row for Tremont, who won the final two events of the 2005 season.

Matt Delorenzo, who usually comes out of the box quickly, hit the finish line fourth, with A.J. Romano fifth.

Completing the top 10 were Mike Ronca, Craig Hanson, Ray Hoard, Vince Quenneville Jr. and Jimmy Davis.

Lori Cary and Rob Langevin started on the front row of the 20-lap pro street stock feature, and that's the way they finished, with Langevin hitting the stripe first. Cary set the pace for the first seven laps of the race, but Langevin used a restart on lap eight to get the lead and there wasn't a whole lot Cary could do the rest of the way. Vince Santoro finished third, while Dan Madigan came from the ninth starting position to finish fourth. Jeff Washburn came across the finish line fifth.

Pete DeFiglio made a triumphant return to Albany-Saratoga Speedway, winning the 10-lap limited feature. After starting fourth, he used a couple of quick cautions to his advantage and took the lead for good on a restart on lap three, outrunning Jim Monroe for the victory.

All divisions will be in action Friday night when Albany-Saratoga holds the Grand Opening of its 30th season of racing as a dirt track. The first green flag will fall at 7 p.m.

BOBCAT OF SARATOGA MODIFIEDS (100 LAPS): KEN TREMONT JR., Jack Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, Matt Delorenzo, A.J. Romano, Mike Ronca, Craig Hanson, Ray Hoard, Vince Quenneville Jr., Jimmy Davis, Mark Flach, Elmo Reckner, Jack Gentile, Keith Flach, Mike Perrotte, Scott Duell, Frank Hoard Sr., Joe Santoro, Gene Munger, Jimmy Cottrell, Tony Kawalchuk, Don Scarborough, Marc Johnson, Mke Tholin, Todd Ryan, Jeff Trombley, Don Ronca, Brett Hearn, Rich Scagliotta, Rich Salisbury, Ron Proctor, Joe Budka.

PRO STREET STOCKS: ROB LANGEVIN, Lori Cary, Vince Santoro, Dan Madigan, Jeff Washburn, Bill Smith IV, Kim Duell, Cale Kneer, Dave Eastman, Bernie Companion, Mark Dresher, Ed Thompson, Walt Brownell Jr., Matt Anatriello, Greg McGill, Tom O'Connor, Dave Madej, Jimmy Eaton, Dean Charbonneau, Charles Towslee.

LIMITEDS: PETE DEFIGLIO, Jim Monroe, John Filarecki, Kevin VanChance, Dan Older, Dan Petronis, Mark Emigh, Bob Smith, Tom Conroy, Rich Holmes, Mike Minick, Ken Conroy, Amanda Clemens, Josh Gardiner, Brandon Emigh, Mark Burch, Jimmy Monroe, Mike Pfau, Curtis Condon, Tommy Primeau Jr., Rich Burke, Jeff Monroe.