MALTA, N.Y. — The old saying goes that someone would rather be lucky than good. On Friday night 2026 Albany-Saratoga Speedway champion Matt DeLorenzo was both – lucky and good.
DeLorenzo ran away with the 45-lap John & Chris Grady Memorial DIRTcar Modified feature, showing just how good the #3D was.
Where did the “lucky” part come in?
That showed its head on the last lap when he developed a left rear flat tire but was able to wheel his familiar DIRTcar Modified home for the win.
The win was worth $4,500 for the now two-time DIRTcar Modified track champion.
Rich Ronca was the first to lead the 45-lap feature event with Jeremy Pitts and track champion Matt DeLorenzo third. DeLorenzo took over the number two position on lap three and set his sights on the veteran, second generation driver.
By lap seven DeLorenzo was all over the rear bumper of Ronca. On lap eight DeLorenzo pulled alongside of Ronca. The duo raced side by side for another lap before DeLorenzo pulled away on lap ten. Ronca held down second with Pitts third, Neil Stratton fourth and Jack Speshock fifth.
As DeLorenzo clicked off laps, his lead increased and so did the slower, lapped traffic. By lap 15 DeLorenzo had put first time DIRTcar Modified starter Tanner Coon a lap down in a second car out of the Dylan Grogan stables. Coon’s first DIRTcar Modified start ended on lap 25 when he pulled pit side.
Pitts moved past Ronca for the number two position on lap 18 with Stratton closing in on the younger of the Racing Ronca Boys. Stratton took over the third position on lap 21, forcing Ronca back to fourth.
As the race reached the half-way point, DeLorenzo’s lead was approaching a full straightaway. Five laps later the lead for DeLorenzo remained the same, despite heavy slower traffic.
With ten laps to go Pitts had company in the form of Stratton. Pitts was stuck behind a pair of lapped cars which allowed Stratton to close in. Both drivers cleared traffic by lap 37, at least temporarily.
When DeLorenzo clicked off lap 40, he had a large lead. A lead that he would never relinquish. In the end DeLorenzo picked up the win over Pitts, Stratton, Ronca and Jesse Mueller. Heat races were won by Grogan and Pitts. Grogan won the Four States Enterprises Dash.
Chris Crane, Jr. won the DIRTcar Sportsman feature event. The win was worth $1,250. Crane used the “Crane Lane” to take over the race lead and once out front, was never challenged. Crane picked up the win over Joey Scarborough, Zach Buff, Joe Venditti and Thomas VanVorst. DIRTcar Sportsman heat races were won by Josh Coonradt and VanVorst.
Kim Duell won the 25-lap DIRTcar Pro Stock feature event. The win was worth $1,250 for the divisions all-time winningest driver. Duell took the early lead and quickly opened up a sizable advantage. Duell would never relinquish the lead as he picked up the win over his son Scott Duell, Shane Henderson, Brandon Emigh and Jordan Modiano.
Cordell Younger won the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature event. Younger picked up the win over William Lussier, Jr., Anthony Alger, Alex Smith and Nick Arnold. Coming into the night Smith and Arnold were tied for the point lead. With Smith’s fourth place run and Arnold’s fifth, Smith was crowned track champion for the second year in a row.
Chris Murray won the 20-lap Street Stock feature event. Murray picked up the win over Shane Wetherington, Damian Ward, Tyler Irwin and Jim McKiernan. With his win, Murray was crowned the 2026 Street Stock Track Champion.
The Independent Vintage Racing Association (IVRA) was on hand for their season finale. Picking up the division wins were John Flach (Vintage Modified), Jackie Brown, Jr. (Vintage Sportsman), Joe Judge (Vintage Steel Body), Frank Hoard, Jr. (Vintage Late Model) and Robbie Rowe (Vintage Antique). A total of 28 entries took part in the event.
