Proctor pulls off the upset at Albany-Saratoga

MALTA - So much for the theory that you need deep pockets to be a winner at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Veteran Ron Proctor, who fits the role of underfinanced underdog to a "T", drove to his first win in nearly five years Friday night in the 35-lap 358-modified feature at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Proctor gave new hope to all the teams that think they can't compete with the Brett Hearns and the Dave Camaras of the world. Despite coming off the front row, Proctor had to drive one of the best races of his life to record his 10th career win, and first since September 2003, at the Malta track.

“It's so hard to win, and when you still build your own motors, like I do, you always wonder whether or not you have enough,” said Proctor in victory lane after the popular victory. “When you do it all yourself like we do, including motors and setup, it's extra sweet when you win.”

Vince Quenneville Jr. won the drag race to the first turn at the drop of the green flag and set the early pace, but Proctor, who was running the extreme outside of the track, was never far behind. Todd Stone, who is still looking for his first win of the year at Albany-Saratoga, soon joined the battle for the lead, and kept the big Friday night crowd on its feet as he battled Quenneville and Proctor for the top spot.

Ronnie Johnson, who had started eighth, finally caught the lead pack and now, it was a four-car battle for the lead.

Proctor finally worked his way around Quenneville for the lead with 10 laps to go, but Johnson kept the heat on, following Proctor around the track in the high groove.

But Johnson knew he would have to change lines eventually, and dipped to the inside with two to go to make a strong run at the leader. But after taking the white flag, he caught the inside barrier in turn one, and that momentary break of momentum allowed Proctor to pull away to get the win.

“I had to run down low, where he wasn't running, and my car worked as well down there as it was on the outside of the track,” said Johnson.

Although Proctor has a number of top-five finishes at Devil's Bowl this season, Friday night marked the first time Proctor has finished in the top four at Albany-Saratoga in four years.

“We've been trying some different things and the last couple of weeks, the car has responded at Malta,” said Proctor.

Johnson, Stone, Mike Ronca and Don Ronca completed the top five. They were followed by Ken Tremont Jr., Quenneville, Michael Storms, who was subbing for Hearn, Camara and Jeff Trombley.

Mark Kislowski borrowed Ronnie Johnson's back-up car and picked up his second win of the year in the sportsman feature. Kislowski discovered an oil problem in the motor of his own car and without time to fix the problem, went to Johnson for help.

Kislowski then took the lead halfway through the feature and easily outran Tyler Curtis to get the win. Curtis' finish was his best ever at Albany-Saratoga. He was followed by Derrick McGrew, Mike Ketchum and Chris Busta.

Rookie D.J. Brundige passed Cullen Howe with two laps to go and drove to his second straight win in the budget sportsman feature. Bryan Davis got around Howe on the final lap to finish second.

Charles Towslee, one of the most improved drivers on the CVRA circuit this season, recorded the second win of his career in the pro-street stock feature. Towslee started third and was content to follow Walt Brownell for the first half of the race, but then rocketed to the front and led Rob Yetman and Daryl Carl under the checkered flag.

Andy Durie held off John Morris Jr. to win the limited division feature, and Elmer Montville returned to victory lane in the mini-stock feature.

Albany-Saratoga Speedway will return to action on Friday, July 18, with all divisions in action on Black Flag Night.

MODIFIEDS: RON PROCTOR, Ronnie Johnson, Todd Stone, Mike Ronca, Don Ronca, Ken Tremont Jr., Vince Quenneville Jr., Michael Storms, Dave Camara, Jeff Trombley, Matt DeLorenzo, Mike Perrotte, Tony Kawalchuk, Keith Flach, John Proctor, Elmo Reckner, Marc Johnson, Jimmy Cottrell, Dan Burl, Joe Williams, Don Mattison, Jack Johnson.

SPORTSMAN: MARK KISLOWSKI, Tyler Curtis, Derrick McGrew, Mike Ketchum, Chris Busta, Rich Ronca, Kory Sandstedt, Mike Tholin, Joe Santoro, Ken Anatiello, Dave Constantino, Mike Ballestero, Andy Boniewski, Rob Langevin, Jack Gentile, Matt Depew, Corey Gilligan, Josh Hohenforst, Mike Dillenbeck, John Willis, Stan Lemiesz, Alex Bell, Adam Tranka, Eric Mack.

PRO-STREET STOCKS: CHARLES TOWSLEE, Rob Yetman, Daryl Carl, Lori Langevin, Kim Duell, Pete Broderson, Kevin Van Chance, Ed Thompson, Jeremy Pitts, Jeff Washburn, Mike Paquin, Tom O'Connor, Randy Miller, Phil DeFiglio, Walt Brownell, Jim Monroe, James Monroe, Greg McGill, Mike Migliori, Vinny Santoro.

BUDGET SPORTSMAN: D.J. BRUNDIGE, Bryan Davis, Cullen Howe, Angelo DiCarlo, Scott Duell, Mike Visconti, Frank Corradi, Frank Hoard III, Dennis Pennock, Pete Carlotto, Al Williams, Daniel Boni, Chuck Dickinson, Jimmy Eaton, Anthony Morro, Rick Lamont, Mike Budro, Matt Hyde, Paul Dunham Jr., Ralph Denison, Dan Peckham, Greg DeCamp, Jenelle Davis, Ricky Quick, Scot Sraight.

LIMITEDS: ANDY DURIE, John Morris Jr., Dan Older, John Filarecki, Ken Conroy, Mike Ostrander, Mark Lester, Mark Burch, Dan Petronis, Dan Carlton, Amanda Clemens, Rich Howe, Yule Cook, Charles Burkhart III, Brian O'Reilly, Jordan Jeffalone, Brian Ashline, Shane Marks, David Cook, Nathan Dehoda, Dave Billings.

MINI-STOCKS: ELMER MONTVILLE, Justin Comes, No. 31, Chris McCarthy, Ken Hollenbeck, Justin Demers, Jason Dickson, Josh Rheome, Charlie Stoddard, Mike Cranston, Michelle Catone, Dan Older Jr., Ray Galusha, Jonathan Hayes, Erin Older, Jessica Rheome.