Ross records first career win at Albany-Saratoga

MALTA –  Chris Ross knew there would be a learning curve when he switched from running super late models to asphalt modifieds this season, but four weeks isn't really a long time to wait for a win.

After nailing down just one top-10 finish in the first three weeks of the season, Ross put it all together Friday and and came away with the first victory of his career at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Ross, who grew up within walking distance of the speedway, had been hauling all over the Northeast to run his super late model in recent years, but when Albany-Saratoga made the switch to asphalt, he saw an opportunity to race close to home, and spend more time with his kids, who are active in go-kart racing.

With the help of his Hall of Fame father, Brian, who began his racing career at Albany-Saratoga in the charger division in the early 1960s, Ross has quickly made the transition.

“My father and I bucked conventional wisdom with this (Bicknell) car,” he said in victory lane Friday night. “We refuse to buy parts for it. We build them ourselves.”

Ross was helped by an advantageous starting spot Friday night. Coming out of the three hole, Ross took the lead on lap six, and spent a good portion of the race holding off defending track champion Ken Tremont Jr., who is still looking for his first asphalt win.

By lap 15, Tremont was all over Ross' rear bumper, and although he looked at every line possible, had to settle for second when Ross took the checkered flag in the 35-lap feature.

“This win is a big relief for my team, as we didn't get off to the start that we thought we would,” said Ross.

“I'm still trying to learn my limits on this surface,” said Tremont after the race, “along with trying to get used to making adjustments on the car that will give me the feel I want in it.”

Keith Flach crossed the finish line third, and was followed by Dave Manny and Derrick McGrew.

Mike Bruno, who was bidding for his third straight win, finished eighth after getting involved in a lap four jingle with Ron Proctor and making a quick pit stop.

Mike Perrotte, who has also struggled to get his modified dialed in, got a little extra spending money by winning the Denooyer Dash.

Another first-time winner emerged in the 25-lap sportsman feature, as Andy Durie made his way to victory lane for the first time. Durie came off the front row and led wire-to-wire, beating Jason Herrington to the finish line by nearly four seconds.

Mike Scorzelli picked up his second win of the year in the 30-lap pro-stock feature. Mike Paquin led the first six laps before giving up the lead to Darryl Carl. Scorzelli, who had started fifth, made a quick charge to the front and worked his way around Carl for the lead on lap 10.

The field regrouped when the only caution of the race came out on lap 24, but Scorzelli pulled away from Carl to get the win. Fred Little finished third, Sheldon Martin was fourth and Scott Duell was fifth.

Jon Miller broke the stranglehold of the Emighs in the Renegade division, posting his first win of the season. Brandon Emigh wasn't far behind, finishing less than a car length back in second, and Dave Emigh was third.

Harold Lavair picked up his second win of the campaign in the Bomber Warriors feature.

Albany-Saratoga will be holding the double-point Spring Championships on Friday, June 4. All divisions will be in action, beginning at 6:45 p.m.

MODIFIEDS: CHRIS ROSS, Ken Tremont Jr., Keith Flach, Dave Manny, Derrick McGrew, Mike Perrotte, Marc Johnson, Mike Bruno, Don Scarborough, Matt Depew, Joey Williams, Andy Linderman, Rich Ronca, Randy Hotaling, Kris Vernold, Dave DePaulo, Ron Proctor, Jim Ryan.

DENOOYER DASH: MIKE PERROTTE, Kris Vernold, Chris Ross, Dave Manny, Ron Proctor, Don Ronca.

SPORTSMAN: ANDY DURIE, Jason Herrington, Chris Johnson, Adam Tranka, Luke Klob, Cody Sargent, Mark Hughes.

PRO-STOCKS: MIKE SCORZELLI, Darryl Carl, Fred Little, Sheldon Martin, Scott Duell, Kim Duell, Joe Santoro, Jimmy Monroe, Jim Monroe, Carl Guilefuss, Mike Paquin, Russ Miller.

RENEGADES: JON MILLER, Brandon Emigh, Dave Emigh, Dan Petronis, Mike Ostrander, Bill Burlingame, Paul Braymer, Dan Older.

BOMBER WARRIORS: HAROLD LAVAIRE, Colin Clow, Brent Warren, Mark Lindblade, Dan Older Jr., John Lindblade.