MALTA – What has already been an outstanding  season for Joe Williams got even better Friday night.

Not only did Williams record his fourth straight  win in the 35-lap NASCAR Modified feature at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, but he  also learned he’s going to get an opportunity to earn even more money through a  new incentive program started by Champlain Valley Racing Association founder  C.J. Richards.

“This is C.J.’s idea,” said Albany-Saratoga  Speedway general manager Bruce Richards of the new Big Dog Challenge. “The  economy is tough, and he wants to help the owners who show us their  support.”

The Big Dog Challenge will be run on a trial basis  to assist the NASCAR Modifieds and Pro Late Models to meet their weekly expenses  traveling between Albany-Saratoga and Devil’s Bowl speedways. Owners must run  both tracks to be eligible, and if an owner’s regular driver can’t make a trip,  he can put another driver in his car.

The program will begin on Friday, June 17 at  Albany-Saratoga and will be run on a trial basis for four weeks (eight  races).  Points will be awarded to the top 10 finishers in the feature races in each division at both Albany-Saratoga and Devil’s Bowl.  After a weekend of racing, the top 10 in points in each division will be entered  into a drawing for the Big Dog Challenge. The payoffs will all be determined by  the luck of the draw.

The weekend payoffs for the NASCAR Modifieds will  be $500 for first, $250 for second, $150 for third, $100 for fourth, $75 for  fifth and $50 for  sixth through 10th. The pro late model payoffs will  be $250 for first, $125 for  second, $100 for third and $50 for fourth through 10th.

Payoffs will be done weekly. In the event that one  track rains out, the drawing will carry over to the next weekend when both  tracks are in action. Money from the track that did race will be added to the  next payday.

On Friday night, Williams continued his hot streak  at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, outrunning Mike Bruno to come away with his  fourth straight win in the Whelen All-American Series NASCAR Modified  feature. John Proctor came off the pole and set the early  pace, but the first caution came on on lap seven, after his cousin, Ron Proctor,  bounced off the fourth turn wall and suffered a flat tire.

By lap 10, Bruno, who had started next to Williams  in the fourth row, had already worked his way into the top five, with Williams right behind him.

Williams made a big move on lap 11, getting by  both Bruno and Cody Sargen to move into fourth, and he got a big break on lap 14  when the second caution flew, this time for Luke Klob.

After a couple of botched restarts, the green flag  finally came back out and on lap 16, Williams rocketed past John Proctor into  the lead.  Bruno followed Williams’ path and moved into  second on the restart, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t reel in the  high-flying Williams, who took home $1,000 for the victory.

Hunter Bates, the reigning CVRA Driver of the  Year, got up for third, while John Proctor was fourth and Dave Manny finished  fifth. There was a lot of celebrating after the 30-lap  pro late model feature, as Dan Petronis came away with his first career victory  in that division. Petronis took the lead on lap 21 and held on for the win in a  feature that had the Spring Championships Night crowd on its feet, as the top  five spent the last 10 laps of the race going two and even three abreast.

Bruno, who was doing double-duty in both the  modifieds and pro late models, was right behind Petronis at the finish, but had to settle for his second runner-up performance of the night. Mike Scorzelli,  Dave Emigh and Brandon Emigh completed the top five.

Josh Coonradt picked up his third consecutive win in the 20-lap Renegade feature and Harold Lavair Jr. was back in victory lane after the Bomber  Warriors feature. In the INEX Legends class, Matt Pappa was first under the  checkered flag, while Steve Miller picked up the top points in the Seniors  division.

Albany-Saratoga will return to action on Friday,  June 10 with all divisions in action on “Salute to the Red-White-and-Blue  Night.” Fans who bring an American flag and wave it during the races will be  eligible for special prizes.

Additional information about events at  Albany-Saratoga or the Big Dog Challenge can be found at the Albany-Saratoga website at www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com.

NASCAR MODIFIEDS: JOE WILLIAMS, Mike Bruno, Hunter  Bates, John Proctor, Dave Manny, Ron Proctor, Bobby Hackel IV, Alex Bell, Fred  Proctor, Jake Zakrzewski, Justin Haas, Cody Sargen, Paul Dunham Jr., Luke  Klob.
PRO LATE MODELS: DAN PETRONIS, Mike Bruno, Mike  Scorzelli, Dave Emigh, Brandon Emigh, Darryl Carl, Carl Guilefuss, Randy  Miller.
BOMBER WARRIORS: HAROLD LAVAIR JR., Mark  Lindblade, Colin Clow, John McCaron, Dan Collins, Dan Older Jr., Robert Sousis  III.