Malta, NY – The Albany-Saratoga roared to life Wednesday with the annual Big Show promoted by DIRTcar Modified star Brett Hearn. While the Super DIRTcar Series for the Big Block Modifieds was the headliner, the Sportsman division also took part in the fast paced show.

When the final checkered flags waved, a pair of track regulars sat in victory lane. With 45 drivers on hand no qualifying events were held. Instead, the hot lap sessions were timed and the field split into two 20 lap feature events. Picking up the Fox Racing Shocks $1,000 to win events were Joey Scarborough and Jeremy Pitts.

During hot lap/time trial qualifying Chris Johnson led the way with a lap of 16.737 seconds. Turning the second quick lap was two tine track champion and current point’s leader Pitts, who circled the four tenths mile track in 16.801 seconds. Nick Lussier was third quick (16.885 seconds) while Rocky Warner (16.891) and Robert Bublak, Jr. (16.892) rounded out the top five.

A pair of second generation drivers, Scarborough and Andrew Buff led the field to the green in the first 20 lap event. Scarborough quickly took the lead over third place starter Brian Calabrese, Jack Speshock, Buff and Daryl Nutting. Defending track champion Derek McGrew slowed in the Parillo Services number 27m on lap two, which forced the first of eight caution flags.

On the restart Scarborough held the top spot over Speshock, Buff, Calabrese and Nutting. Nutting took over the fourth position from Calabrese on lap four while Bobby Hackel, IV moved into fifth. Calabrese fought back and a lap later took fifth from Hackel. Jesse Edwards spun on lap six forcing the caution flag to wave.

When racing resumed Scarborough led Speshock, Buff, Calabrese and the Elmo’s Speed number 352 of John Proctor. Hackel moved past Proctor on lap seven and then a lap later past Calabrese for position number four. New England star Adam Pierson spun on lap eight, forcing another restart. When the green flag waved Scarborough was followed by Buff, Hackel, Speshock and the Johnson Family Racing number 33J of Chris Johnson. Behind the leaders Calabrese, Proctor and Chad Edwards began to battle for position number six.

Johnson moved past Speshock for the fourth position on lap 15. A lap later Scott Duell slowed between turns three and four forcing a restart. After a caution on the restart, racing resumed with Scarborough and Buff running one-two over the field. Calabrese spun in turn four on lap 18, collecting Bublak, Mike Block and Chris Ronca.

The restart would see Scarborough and Buff again out front. The caution flag waved on lap 19 for the final time when Edwards, Proctor and others were involved in an incident in turn one. The final restart would see Scarborough and Buff battle for the top spot. In the end Scarborough would bring home the win over Johnson, Buff, Tim Hartman, Jr. and Nick Lussier.

The second Fox Racing Shocks 20 lap event was brought to the green by Corey Cormier and Pitts. Cormier took the initial lead over Pitts, Pat Jones, Richie Smith and Ken Conroy. Pitts wasted no time and took over the top spot on lap one with Smith moving to third and Warner to sixth. David Schilling spun in turn four on lap 20 to bring out the first caution flag.

On the restart Pitts held the lead with Smith moving to second, Conroy third, Cormier fourth and Jones fifth. Warner began to make his charge on lap three when he moved past Jones for fifth. By lap five Conroy, Cormier and Warner all battled for the third position. Warner would take the spot. Ken Anatriello moved to fifth past Cormier on lap six while Warner closed on the top three.

Warner moved the Jake Spraker mount to the top side and challenged Conroy for third. The duo raced side by side until lap ten when Warner took over. After a restart for a spin by Schilling, Pitts held the lead with Warner, Smith, Anatriello and Conroy completing the top five. Jason Gray took over fifth from Conroy on lap 13 as the Dean’s Electrical 09 of Connor Cleveland moved to sixth.

A three car tangle on lap 16 forced the third restart of the event. When racing resumed Pitts and Warner battled for the lead with Pitts eventually taking the top spot after a two lap battle. Cleveland moved to fifth on lap 18 and began working on a line to get around Smith for the fourth position.

In the end the current track point’s leader was not to be denied and brought home the $1,000 payday. Warner finished second with Anatriello third, Smith fourth and Cleveland fifth.

The Albany-Saratoga Speedway is back in action on June 15th with all divisions in action plus the only appearance by the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints. For more information on the Albany-Saratoga Speedway please visit our website at www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com.

Sportsman Feature #1 Results (20 Laps) – 1) Joey Scarborough, 2) Chris Johnson, 3) Andrew Buff, 4) Tim Hartman Jr, 5) Nick Lussier, 6) Bobby Hackel IV, 7) Daryl Nutting, 8) Joe Orlando, 9) Adam Gage, 10) Adam Pierson, 11) Mike Coffey, 12) Jack Speshock, 13) John Proctor, 14) Milton Mann, 15) Chad Edwards, 16) Mike Block, 17) Mike Ostrander, 18) Christopher Ronca, 19) Brian Calabrese, 20) Robert Bublak, 21) Scott Duell, 22) Jesse Edwards, 23) Derrick McGrew

Sportsman Feature #2 Results (20 Laps) – 1) Jeremy Pitts, 2) Rocky Warner, 3) Nick Anatriello, 4) Richard Smith, 5) Connor Cleveland, 6) Jon Miller, 7) Jason Gray, 8) Allison Ricci, 9) Ken Conroy, 10) Tyler Boniface, 11) James Meehan, 12) Andy Durie, 13) Mike Tholin, 14) Pat Jones, 15) Zach Daurio, 16) Travis Billington, 17) Justin Smith, 18) Bob Schmidt, 19) Corey Cormier, 20) Jack Swinton, 21) Jack Lehner, 22) David Schilling