MALTA, N.Y. — Kenny Tremont Jr. will hang up his helmet after the Malta Massive Weekend at Albany-Saratoga Speedway this year.
To honor his final laps, the Super DIRTcar Series Feature on Saturday, Sept. 23, will be 115 laps and pay $11,500 to win — a nod to Tremont’s famed No. 115.
“The right thing to do is to honor him, being it is his last race ever and it’s taking place at one of his main tracks he’s raced his entire career at,” said Lyle DeVore, who runs and promotes Albany-Saratoga Speedway. “I got thinking, we’re going 100 laps, why don’t we go another 15 and make it 115 laps and make it $11,500 to win.
“It’s part of what we’re going to do in recognition of his history and success at Albany-Saratoga Speedway. He’s been a big part of our fanbase. He’s just such a great sportsman and a great person. As much as we’re proud that he’s raced here all these years, it is sad that this chapter is closing.”
Tremont, 61, of West Sand Lake, N.Y. – about 40 minutes from the speedway – has spent most of his career racing regularly at Albany-Saratoga, collecting 13 track championships and 81 wins.
In addition to his success in Malta, Tremont has scored five Super DIRT Week titles — one in a big block and four in a small block modified — won 15 Super DIRTcar Series races and has collected 392 total wins across 20 different tracks, 143 of them at Lebanon Valley Speedway.
It’s a storied career that will forever be remembered in the lore of northeast dirt modified racing.
And to have it honored at one of his home tracks is not only special, but a pleasant surprise to Tremont.
“I think it’s pretty neat, I was actually kind of surprised,” Tremont said. “I didn’t think much of any of it, but of course as it gets closer to the end of the season, I have a lot of people coming up and talking to me, talking about my career and how I started and all this stuff. It’s actually a really nice way to wind up a career. I think it is great.”
After the checkered flag falls on lap 115, Tremont will park his No. 115 modified in the trailer for the final time. It’s a thought he hasn’t let linger. But he also knows it won’t be his last time at a racetrack. Tremont’s legacy will carry on through his son, Montgomery Tremont, as he helps him build his racing career.