Andy Lindeman another new face in victory lane at Albany-Saratoga

MALTA –  Andy Lindeman ended two months of frustration Friday night and joined the growing list of first-time winners at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Lindeman, a veteran of the New England Truck Series, became the eighth different winner in the modified division at the historic Malta speedway this season, easily outrunning Don Scarborough and Ron Proctor in the 4th of July weekend 35-lap feature.

Lindeman is no stranger to victory lane, as he's won numerous truck races throughout New England in the last eight years. But the 2010 campaign is his first year in a modified, and he admits it's been a learning experience.

In fact, Lindeman didn't even have a top-10 finish in the first two months of the season. But he put all of that frustration behind him Friday, joining Marc Johnson, Chris Ross, Joe Williams and Keith Flach as first-time winners on the asphalt at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

“This win is hard to describe,” said Lindeman in victory lane. “We have been having trouble qualifying in heat races, but week after week, we've continued to make the car better. This car is a lot different than the truck I race. Both have the same principles, but not the same adjustments.”

Lindeman hit the finish line just over a second ahead of Scarborough, who is still looking for his first win of the year at Albany-Saratoga. But he was still pleased with his best run of the season at Malta.

“All the caution flags allowed me to gain positions on each of the restarts,” said Scarborough, who started seventh. Proctor matched his best finish of the year, which is pretty impressive, when you consider he's running a motor he built in 1988. “It's been freshened a few times and it's definitely reliable, but just underpowered compared to what we are running against,” said Proctor, who also won his heat race and the Denooyer Dash for Cash.

Dave Manny and Ken Tremont Jr. completed the top five.

Darryl Carl was also a first-time winner, taking the checkered flag in the 30-lap pro-stock feature. Mike Paquin set the pace for the first 10 laps. But Carl, who went into the night leading the division's points race, got the lead on lap 11 and held off a furious challenge from Sheldon Martin, who used a restart on lap 23 to take over second. He finished just 0.183 seconds behind Carl, with the father-and-son team of Kim and Scott Duell just a couple of car lengths back.

Fred Proctor recorded the third win of his career in the 25-lap sportsman feature, snapping Jason Herrington's three-race win streak. Proctor took the lead away from Andy Durie on the 17th lap and beat Hunter Bates to the finish line by 0.224 seconds. Paul Dunham Jr. was third, followed by Durie and Adam Tranka.

Brandon Emigh chalked up his second straight win in the 25-lap Renegade feature. After starting fifth, he only needed four laps to get to the front. Jon Miller ran right on Emigh's tail for most of the feature, but had to settle for second, with Dave Emigh third.

Dan Older was awarded the win in the Bomber Warriors feature. Although he finished third, the top two runners, Harold Lavair and Ken Duell, were later disqualified, giving the win to Older.

In addition to a great night of racing, the fans were also treated to an impressive fireworks display, in honor of the 4th of July holiday.

Albany-Saratoga Speedway will be back in action on Friday, July 9, with all divisions taking part on Seniors Night. All fans 62 years of age and older will be admitted free of charge.

MODIFIEDS: ANDY LINDEMAN, Don Scarborough, Ron Proctor, Dave Manny, Ken Tremont Jr., Marc Johnson, Dave DePaulo, Leon Gonyo, Matt Depew, Kris Vernold, Chris Ross, Joe Williams, Mike Bruno, Seth Roberts, Don Ronca, Keith Flach, Richard Tisseur, Randy Hotaling, Mike Perrotte, Jim Ryan, Derrick McGrew, Rich Ronca.

DENOOYER DASH: RON PROCTOR, Don Scarborough, Chris Ross, Marc Johnson, Randy Hotaling, Dave Manny.

SPORTSMAN: FRED PROCTOR, Hunter Bates, Paul Dunham Jr., Andy Durie, Adam Tranka, Chris Johnson, Jimmy Introne, Cody Sargen, Luke Klob, Jason Herrington, Marc Hughes.

PRO-STOCKS: DARRYL CARL, Sheldon Martin, Kim Duell, Scott Duell, Joe Santoro, Carl Guilefuss, Fred Little, Jim Monroe, Mike Scorzelli, Jimmy Monroe, Mike Paquin, Jeremy Houghtaling, Derek Chriss, Russ Miller.

RENEGADES: BRANDON EMIGH, Jon Miller, Dave Emigh, Dan Petronis, Dan Older, Frank Monroe, Bill Burlingame, Justin Demers, Mike Ostrander, Josh Coonradt, Ben Durie.

BOMBER WARRIORS: DAN OLDER, Mark Lindblade, Jeremy Hayes, Ken Hulbert, Colin Clow. DQ: Harold Lavair, Ken Duell.