MALTA, N.Y. — One week ago, third generation driver Justin Stone put the family-owned machine in victory lane at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in DIRTcar Modified competition.
Fast forward one week to the eve of our nations 250th birthday and Stone did it again, claiming the nights 35-lap feature event,
Rich Scagliotta and Don Ronca brought the field of DIRTcar Modifieds to the green with Scagliotta taking the early lead over Neil Stratton, Ronca, Brendan Darrah and Ronnie Johnson.
Ronca took over the top spot on lap three with Stratton moving past Scagliotta for second. Scagliotta dropped out of the top five over the course of the next three laps.
The caution flag waved on lap seven when Brian Calabrese slowed out of turn four with a flat tire.
When racing resumed Ronca held the lead over new second place runner Brendan Darrah. Stratton held down third with last Friday nights feature winner Justin Stone moving to fourth ahead of Johnson.
Johnson began to challenge Stratton for third on lap 12 and as they clicked off lap 13, he had the position. With 15 laps on the lap counter Ronca had nearly a straightaway advantage over Darrah, Johnson, Stone and Stratton.
Stone made a move on Johnson on lap 18 and took over position number three and quickly set his sights on second place runner Darrah. On lap 19 Stone took over the runner up position from Darrah.
He wasted no time and quickly closed in on Ronca. On lap 21 Stone looked under Ronca and took over the top spot. Within a couple of laps Ronca, Darrah and Johnson were all under a blanket battling for the runner up position. Darrah would take the spot on lap 24 with Ronca and Johnson following. By lap 27 Johnson had taken control of the third position.
With five laps to go Anthony Perrego took the Matt DeLorenzo machine into the fifth position. Jack Lehner looked strong over the final laps. He took over the second position on lap 32.
Lehner’s charge was too late as Stone would not be denied his second consecutive win at Albany-Saratoga. Stone picked up the win with Lehner second, Perrego third, Darrah fourth and Mike Mahaney fifth.
Craig Wholey won the 25-lap DIRTcar Sportsman feature event. The remainder of the program was lost due to rain.
