Racing Around: Friesen regroups, takes modified win at Albany-Saratoga

He returned to Albany-Saratoga Speedway for its season-ending Malta Massive Weekend and came away with the victory in the 115-lap Kenny Tremont Jr. tribute race.

After wet weather forced the postponement of Friday’s race program at Utica-Rome Speedway, where Friesen was scheduled to compete in the Remembering Alex tribute race honoring his late uncle Alex Friesen, he made the trip to Malta and picked up the $3,000-to-win season-opening modified feature win.

Also picking up opening-night victories were Joey Scarborough (sportsman), Brandon Emigh (pro stock), Chase Zimmer (limited sportsman) and Patrick Cram Jr. (street stock), while Kyle Lanfear and David Frame respectively won the single and dual-cam 4-cylinder features.

The night’s program was delayed just over a half-hour as track crews worked the racing surface into shape after late-afternoon rain showers passed over the speedway.

By virtue of their heat race victories, Jeremy Pitts, Marc Johnson, Friesen and Ronnie Johnson made up the first two rows for the 35-lap modified feature.

Marc Johnson led the opening lap before Friesen slipped past on the inside of turn one and two a lap later.

The first caution of the race came on lap six when defending track champion Demetros Drellos slowed and went pit side with mechanical issues.

Ronnie Johnson and Brian Calabrese benefitted from the restart, moving into third and fourth behind Friesen and Marc Johnson, as Pitts and Peter Britten battled for the fifth spot.

The battle for second tightened up as the leaders encountered lapped traffic on lap 15.

Marc Johnson was able to get alongside Friesen on a lap-27 restart, but could not complete the pass as he slid up the track, making contact with Friesen after hitting water on the inside of turn three. Both drivers kept control of their rides.

Two laps later, Johnson tried again, only Friesen used the high line to hold his advantage and bring home his 23rd career victory.

Marc Johnson held on for second over Britten, Jack Speshock and Ronnie Johnson. Jessey Mueller, Jack Lehner, Ryan McCartney, Brett Hearn and Adam Pierson rounded out the top 10.

Scarborough started on the pole and survived a series of early race restarts to register his ninth career sportsman victory at Albany-Saratoga. Mike Coffey Jr. pressured Scarborough in the closing laps, but could not make the pass and finished second, followed by Chris Jakubiak, Mike Ballestero and Dylan Madsen.

Luke Horning and Rich Crane brought the pro stock field to the green, with Horning taking the early lead before Jay Corbin took the point on the second circuit.

The caution flew when Horning slowed on lap six. He made it to the pits and returned to the race at the back of the pack.

Chucky Dumblewski made a strong move on the restart to move from third to the lead ahead of Corbin and Crane.

Emigh found a fast line and quickly made his way to the front from his 21st starting spot.

With seven laps to go, Emigh got the break he needed as the caution flew and he moved past Dumblewski and pull away for his 13th career victory.

Despite having a left rear tire going soft, Dumblewski finished second, followed by Corbin, Horning and Crane.

Albany-Saratoga Speedway results

Friday

NAPA MODIFIEDS: STEWART FRIESEN, Marc Johnson, Peter Britten, Jack Speshock, Ronnie Johnson, Jessey Mueller, Jack Lehner, Ryan McCartney, Brett Hearn, Adam Pierson, Mike Mahaney, Don Ronca, David Schilling, Keith Flach, Kolby Schroder, Brian Calabrese, Justin Stone, Jeremy Pitts, Matt DeLorenzo, Rob Pitcher, Rich Scagliotta, Garrett Poland, CG Morey, Josh Masterson, Robert Bublak Jr., Matt Depew, Neil Stratton, Demetrios Drellos.

IDEAL EXCAVATING SPORTSMAN: JOEY SCARBOROUGH, Mike Coffey Jr., Chris Jakubiak, Mike Ballestero, Dylan Madsen, Dan Grignon, Daryl Nutting, Chris Crane Jr., David Baranowski Jr., Cody Bleau, Jason Gray, Mike Parodi, Brendon Gibbons, Travis Witbeck, Scott Towslee, Dylan Grogan, Cody Ochs, Nick Lussier, Bryce Breault, Mike Benson, Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald, Elliot Lussier, Scott Duell, Taylor LaPlante, Jim Nagle, Taylor Wasson, Drew Cormie, Derrick McGrew Jr., Jeff Washburn.

SARATOGA MASONRY SUPPLY PRO STOCKS: BRANDON EMIGH, Chucky Dumblewski, Jay Corbin, Luke Horning, Rich Crane, Shane Henderson, Jaxson Ryan, Beau Ballard, Kim Duell, Kyle Hoard, Jay Casey, Caden Dumblewski, Phil Difiglio, Mike Baker, Jay Fitzgerald, Slater Baker, Pete Vila, Dave Stickles, Jason Casey, Jimmy Eaton, Don Collins, Dom Denue, Shane Playford.

HAUN WELDING LIMITED SPORTSMAN: CHASE ZIMMER, Nick Auspelmyer, Dakota Green, Nick Brundige, Gary English, James Galarneau, Chad Gregory, Lucas Duncan, David Zelker, Josh Bussino, Steve Butch, Cordell Younger, Dan Seguin, Alex Smith, Sara Arnold, John Santolin, Owen Lewis, Anthony Robitaille, Timmy Wilmot, Sloan Cherko, Jordan Hill, Tanner Coon, Mike Baker.

CORNELL’S AUTO PARTS STREET STOCKS: PATRICK CRAM JR, Jimmy Duncan, Chris Stalker, Al Relyea, Josh Hemming, Dan Madigan, Jeff Meltz, Andrew Fitzgerald, Jason Barrett, Chris Murray, John Filarecki, Jim McKiernan, Ray Pierre Jr., Derek Van Veghten, Dan Buell, Damien Ward.

GREG’S TOWING FOUR-CYLINDERS: KYLE LANFEAR, David Frame (first dual-cam finisher), Josh Ramsey, Ben Ladd, Chris Duffney, Ashlynn Ramsey, Tom Hill, Brittany Ladd, Chris Danylieko, Lucas Condon, Daniel Joubert, Andrew Palmer, David LaBarge, Justin Ramsey, John Mason.

SHEPPARD WINS AT OUTLAW

Matt Sheppard took advantage of Friday’s postponement at Utica-Rome Speedway to return to his old stomping grounds at Outlaw Speedway in Dundee.

Sheppard did not forget how to get around the Outlaw clay, as he picked up the victory in the Mike Jackson Memorial modified feature.

Another Utica-Rome regular, Alex Payne, placed second followed by Mike Maresca, Bobby Varin and Alan Johnson. Cory Costa, Ron Cartwright Jr., Brady Fultz, Tyler Siri and Ajay Potrzebowski round out the top 10.

Carl Comfort won the companion sportsman feature over Zach Sobotka, Ray Bliss, Dave Rogers and Chris Fisher, while Shane Wolfe topped Glen Whritenour, Dylan Cecce, Gene Sharpsteen and CJ Guererri in the street stock main event.

Outlaw Speedway results

Friday

FRIENDLY CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, RAM. MODIFIEDS — 35 Laps -MATT SHEPPARD, Alex Payne Michael Maresca, Bobby Varin, Alan Johnson, Cory Costa, Ron Cartwright Jr., Brady Fultz, Tyler Siri, Ajay Potrzebowski, Jake Dgien, Kreg Crooker, Danny Johnson, Will Shields, Brian Swarthout, Zach Payne, Jim LaRock, John Phillips, Stacy Jackson, Nick Nye, Shannon Whaley, Tommy Collins Jr., Jeff Daugherty, Chuck Miller, Les McCann.

SUNRISE INSULATION INSULATION/KNAPP AND SCHLAPPI LUMBER COMPANY SPORTSMAN — 40 LAP Mike Jackson Memorial feature — KARL COMFORT, Zach Sobotka, Ray Bliss, Dave Rogers, Chris Fisher, Frank Guererri Jr., AJ Lloyd, Greg Crooker, Daryl Krebs, Mike Schane, Brent Ayers, George Schweigart, Justin Schenck, Doug Kline, Dale Welty, Ben Feldman, Carter Crooker, Tim Guild, Nick Root, Brett Buono, Even Nugent, Timmy Borden Jr., Scott Torbitt, Collin Brown.

SWARTHOUT RECYCLING STREET STOCKS — 30 laps — SHANE WOLFE, Glen Whritenour, Dylan Cecce, Gene Sharpsteen, CJ Guererri, Jared Hill, Jimmy Grant, Chris Daugherty, Damion Decker, Bob Buono.

ADDISON, CORNING, HORNELL AND WELLSVILLE NAPA HOBBY STOCKs – 25 laps — MARC MINUTOLO, Justin Eldredge, Tyler Burnell, Nate Peckham, Willy Easling, Brian Lloyd, Shawn Doucette, Jeredd Dennis, Doug Batterson, Ed Stevens, Meadow Dgien, Kaiden Dgien, DNS, Bubba Burnell

WINNERS CIRCLE DELI MINI STOCKS — 25 laps — CRAIG DECAMP, Ray Hyer, Mike Stone, Scott Lehman, Andres Kreamer, Jock Symonds, Jason Smart, Lee Fritz, Aaron Robionsen. Jimmy Granger, Conner Erick, Derrick Evans, Willy Easling, Gavin Hall, Tony Dickerson, Christopher Cordeau, Eric Inman, Nate Powers, Michael Norton, Kevin Greenfield, Corey Vallade, DNS Kenneth Evans.

PIT NOTES

Fonda Speedway is slated to conduct an open practice session Tuesday with the cars hitting the track from 6 to 9 p.m.

With last Saturday’s rainout of the Jumpin’ Jack Johnson Memorial at Fonda Speedway, the event has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 23 as a kickoff for Memorial Day Weekend racing at the local speedways.