Rich Ronca wins, Tremont takes title at Albany-Saratoga

MALTA –  Rich Ronca drove to the first win of his modified career, and Ken  Tremont Jr wrapped up his 12th track championship Friday night as the points season came to a close at Albany-Saratoga Speedway. Tremont became the first asphalt champion at the historic Malta track since Richie Evans won the crown in 1975, the last time Albany-Saratoga had an asphalt surface.

Championship Weekend came to a bizarre finish. Tremont, Mike Bruno and Marc Johnson were locked in a tight battle for the title, with just seven points separating the three drivers. But early in the 35-lap modified feature, an incident involving Bruno and Johnson left Bruno with a damaged car, and got Johnson a disqualification for rough-riding. With the other two contenders out of action, Tremont locked up the title with a fourth-place finish. Ronca became the 14th different winner in the modified division this season, and joined his brothers, Don and Mike, on the all-time winners' list. Rich Ronca won four races in the sportsman division from 2003 to 2009 before moving up to the modifieds this season. 

He started on the pole and led flag-to-flag, beating Leon Gonyo to the checkered flag by 0.274 seconds. Gonyo was followed by Chris Ross, Tremont and Keith Flach. 

Luke Klob picked up his first win of the year in the 25-lap sportsman feature, finally ending a season-long jinx. Klob has been one of the most consistent drivers in the division, and before Friday night, had finished second on four different occasions. 

Klob held off Hunter Bates to get the popular victory. Bates was honored as the CVRA Driver of the Year as part of the Championship Weekend festivities. 

Kim Duell wrapped up a championship season with a victory in the 30-lap pro-stock feature. Duell took the lead on lap eight and came away with his third win of the season. He went into the night with a seven-point lead over Sheldon Martin, and the victory gave Duell his second track title in the last three years. Martin followed Duell across the finish line, with Jim Monroe Jr. third, Darryl Carl fourth and Mike Paquin fifth. 

Dave Emigh got the win in the Renegades feature, nipping his brother, Brandon, by a nose at the finish line on the last lap. That photo finish was also enough to give Dave the track championship, unofficially, by three points over his brother. 

Ken Duell picked up the victory in the Bomber Warriors feature, and Dan Older Jr. was crowned the track champion. 

Albany-Saratoga Speedway handed out a number of special awards on Championship Weekend. In addition to Bates being named Driver of the Year, Carl won the Harry Peek Memorial Sportsmanship Award, Ron Szczerba was the recipient of the John Osterhoudt Media Award and Andy Lindeman was named the Rookie of the Year. 

High performance awards went to Mike Bruno (modified), Jason Herrington (sportsman), Kim Duell (pro-stocks), Brandon Emigh (Renegades) and Dan Older Jr. (Bomber Warriors). Outstanding effort awards went to Kris Vernold and Matt Depew (modifieds), Fred Proctor (sportsman), Sheldon Martin (pro-stocks), Dave Emigh (Renegades) and Colin Clow (Bomber Warriors). Albany-Saratoga Speedway will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 19, with pro-stocks, Renegades, Bomber Warriors/Mini Mods and an enduro on the card. Racing will begin at 1 p.m. Additional information can be obtained at www.cvra.com. 

MODIFIEDS: RICH RONCA, Leon Gonyo, Chris Ross, Ken Tremont Jr., Keith Flach, Andy Lindeman, Jim Ryan, Matt Depew, Joe Williams, Randy Hotaling, Andy Bonieswki, Don Ronca, John Hines, Dave Manny, Skip Shippee, Don Mattison, Ron Proctor, Kris Vernold, Mike Bruno. DQ: Marc Johnson.

DENOOYER DASH FOR CASH: MARC JOHNSON, Keith Flach, Joe Williams, Andy  Lindeman, Ron Proctor, Randy Hotaling. 

SPORTSMAN: LUKE KLOB, Hunter Bates, Jason Herrington, Paul Dunham Jr., Kenny Martin, Jack Swinton, Adam Tranka, Paul Braymer, Shannon Donnelly, Fred Proctor. DQ: Matt Atwood. 

PRO-STOCKS: KIM DUELL, Sheldon Martin, Jim Monroe Jr., Darryl Carl, Mike Paquin, Chad White, Carl Guilefuss, Mike Scorzelli, Sott Duell, Kevin VanChance. 

RENEGADES: DAVE EMIGH, Brandon Emigh, Dan Petronis, Mike Ostrander, Dan Older, Josh Coonradt, Paul Mulrain, Rowdy Birch, Andy Smith, Justin Demers, Jonathan Hayes, Bill Burlingame, Frank Monroe, Chris Murray.

BOMBER WARRIORS: KEN DUELL, Colin Clow, Eddie Bruno, Dan Older Jr., Bobby Lavair, Justin Lilly, Jeremy Hayes, Mike Cranston, Mark Lindeblade, John McCarron, Erika Lilly, Ken Hulbert, Robert Sousis, Dan Collins.