Malta, NY ―    When Walt Brownell shows up at Albany Saratoga Speedway this year he will be sporting different colors on his Pro Stock entry.  Gone will be the green paint scheme we became familiar with last season ― Brownell painted his car with pink tones in support of breast cancer awareness.

“My girlfriend’s aunt has breast cancer and so did a couple of her friends so we just wanted to give something back,” said the 43 year old Brownell.  “We are donating half of our winnings back to breast cancer.”

Brownell vacated his weekly trip to the Malta oval when the speedway was switched over to an asphalt surface a few years back so he was thrilled when the dirt surface returned last year to the popular Friday night stop.

“We only got to victory lane once,” said Brownell.  “It’s a tough division, there are a lot of good cars but we have a new car this year and hopefully we can get back there a few times.  It seems like it’s been a long winter.  It’s funny ― at the beginning you want the season to get here but at the end of the season you want it to go away.  We are ready.”

Will Brownell be easy to spot across the pits ― will his apparel [helmet and suit] match his automobile?

“No we didn’t go that far,” laughed Brownell.  “It was an adjustment but it’s all about the cause and we are happy to try and do something to help.”

Promoter Lyle DeVore will host the Open Test & Tune [open to any race car] on Sunday, April 14th.  Gates open at noon with practice from 3 until 7.  Pits are $15 and grandstands are free.  The 2013 ‘Season Opener’ gets underway on Friday, April 19th with the Modified, Sportsman, Prostock, Street Stock and 4 Cylinder divisions.  Race time is 7:00 p.m