Hearn back in victory lane

MALTA - Jack Johnson has the record for career victories at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, but it's obvious that Brett Hearn wants it.

Hearn jumped out to a big lead, and then had to hold off a persistent challenge from none other than Jumpin' Jack himself to notch his first win of the season in Friday night's 35-lap 358 modified feature at Albany-Saratoga.

The win was the 79th of Hearn's career at the historic Malta track, moving him within 10 of tying Johnson for the top spot. But if the 63-year-old Johnson runs like he did Friday night, he's not going to be stuck on 89 wins for very long.

The feature got off to a shaky start, when Don Mattison spun on the second lap and collected Jimmy Cottrell and Elmo Reckner, bringing out the red flag. Mattison was able to continue, but Cottrell and Reckner were done for the night. Todd Stone, who started on the pole, set the pace for the first nine laps, but Hearn, who started sixth, worked his way to the front on lap 10.

While Hearn put the Vinny Salerno-owned small block on cruise control and took off, the huge Friday night crowd was entertained by some incredible racing involving Matt DeLorenzo, Jack and Ronnie Johnson and A.J. Romano, who had hauled into Albany-Saratoga for the first time this year.

DeLorenzo held the No. 2 spot until he slid high on lap 26, and fell back to fifth. Ronnie Johnson, who was looking for his second straight win, then ran side-by-side with his father for a number of laps until Jumpin' Jack finally snatched the runner-up position.

Hearn still had a straightaway lead when Jumpin' Jack moved into second, but Johnson put the pedal down on the Witz Roofing-sponsored machine, and quickly reeled Hearn in, pulling right up on Hear's rear bumper. But Tony Kawalchuk brought out a caution with one lap to go, and Hearn held his ground on the restart to get the victory.

“I felt the pressure toward the end,” said Hearn after the race. “I didn't know who it was until after the checkered flag waved.”

Romano finished a tight third to the leaders, with DeLorenzo fourth and Ken Tremont Jr. fifth. Completing the top 10 were Ronnie Johnson, Matt Sheppard, Jeff Trombley, Don Scarborough and Gene Munger.

Chris Busta started on the pole and went wire-to-wire in the 25-lap sportsman feature to record the third victory of his career. Mark Kislowski hit the stripe second, followed by Josh Hohenforst, Rob Langevin and Mike Tholin. Langevin was the top winner in pro-street stock division last year, and has moved up to the open-wheeled division this season.

Vince Santoro overcame a number of restarts to hold off Jeff Washburn to get the victory in the 25-lap pro-street feature. Santoro led all 25 laps, but Washburn, who started eighth, never let Santoro relax in the closing stages of the feature. Bernie Companion finished third, with Kim Duell fourth and Jimmy Eaton fifth.

Jim Monroe Jr. picked up his second straight victory in the limited division, hitting the finish line just 0.809 seconds ahead of John Filarecki.

Brette Osgood was awarded the victory in the hobby stock division, despite finishing third in the feature. The top two finishers were disqualified, giving Osgood his first win of the year.

The budget sportsman division made its debut on Friday night, with Alan Bell pulling away to an easy victory.

The first big event of the season will be held on Friday, May 11, when Albany-Saratoga Speedway hosts The Big One, a 100-lap feature for 358 modifieds. All other divisions will be in action, with racing beginning at 6:45 p.m.

MODIFIEDS: BRETT HEARN, Jack Johnson, A.J. Romano, Matt DeLorenzo, Ken Tremont Jr., Ronnie Johnson, Matt Sheppard, Jeff Trombley, Don Scarborough, Gene Munger, Marc Johnon, Todd Stone, Jimmy Davis, Frank Hoard Sr., Keith Flach, Tim Hartman, Paul Kinney, Don Ronca, George Foley, Tony Kawalchuk, Mike Perrotte, Mike Ronca, Don Mattison, Chris Vernold, Vince Quenneville Jr., Don Ackner, John Proctor, Jimmy Cottrell, Elmo Reckner.

SPORTSMAN: CHRIS BUSTA, Mark Kislowski, Josh Hohenforst, Rob Langevin, Mike Tholin, Dustin Delaney, Rich Ronca, Kory Sandstedt, Dick Bisson, Neal Erickson, Joe Santoro, Matt Depew, Ken Anatriello, Jack Gentile, Stan Lemiesz, Chris Johnson, Pep Corradi, Mike Ketchum, Whitey Slavin, David Peek, Dan Carlton, Dave Constantino, Dave Manney, Scott Duell.

PRO-STREET STOCKS: VINCE SANTORO, Jeff Washburn, Bernie Companion, Kim Duell, Jimmy Eaton, Charlie Towslee, Mike Paquin, Cale Kneer, Jim Monroe, Kevin Van Chance, Greg McGill, Pete Broderson, Jon Bates, David Peck Jr., Matt Anatriello, Jake Losaw, Darrel Carl, Jeremy Pitts, Jesse Edwards, Frank Twing, Josh Joseph, Jim Groncki.

LIMITEDS: JIM MONROE JR., John Filarecki, Jeff Monroe, Nick Lussier, Mike Ostrander, Curtis Condon, Dan Petronis, Rich Burke, T.J. Pierce, Steve Holcomb, Mike Minick, Jeff Donnelly, Dave Billings, Bill Burlingame, Tommy Primeau, Dave Emigh, Steve Burch, Harry Coonradt, John Morris Jr., Paul Mulrain, Mark Burch, Mike Duclos, Anthony Marro, Brian Ashline, Ed Bradt.

HOBBY STOCKS: BRETTE OSGOOD (4), Phil DeFiglio (6), Mike Cranston (4), Shawn Anagnos (6), Jason Rheome, Ted Fitzgerald (4), Ray Galusha (6), Tim Anagnos (6), Charlie Stoddard (4), Travis Tromans (4), Rennie Noradki (6), Michelle Catone (4), Shane Marks (4), Dan Older Jr. (4), Jason Dickson (4), Ryan Veitch (4), Ryan Petchel (4). DQ: Ken Hollenbeck, John Baldwin, Jim Daniels.

BUDGET SPORTSMEN: Fred Proctor, Mike Visconti, Jared McMahon, Angela Hoard, Ralph Denison, Rob Cole, Bryan Davis, Kate Groff, Tim Reed, Brandon Jacobsen, Chuck Allen. DQ: Alex Bell.