MALTA, N.Y. — Just as win streaks are destined to be broken, so are winless streaks. On Friday night at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway Jack Lehner broke his own, nearly two-year winless streak at the track right down the road from his hometown.
DIRTcar Modified Rookie Dylan Grogan and Vermont’s Josh Masterson led the field to the green with Masterson taking the lead early over Grogan. The yellow flag waved on lap two for a spun Jeremy Pitts, who rejoined the field.
On the restart Grogan got a great run on the low side and pulled alongside Masterson. The duo briefly battled before Masterson regained sole control of the lead. By lap six the top two had separated themselves for new third place runner Brendan Darrah.
Darrah though quickly closed in and was quickly challenging Grogan for second. On lap ten Darrah looked to have taken over the runner up position however Grogan would not give way. The duo battled for a few laps before Grogan, using the low side, took over the position.
Meanwhile Masterson had checked out on the field. By lap 16 Masterson had over a straightaway advantage over Grogan, new third place runner Jack Lehner, Darrah and Neil Stratton.
On lap 20 Lehner took over the second position from Grogan and set his sights on a distant Masterson.
Grogan’s great run went in the opposite direction on lap 21 when Grogan, running between Peter Britten and Stratton, made contact with Britten. The contact flattened the left front tire and caused him to spin in turn three.
When racing resumed Lehner took over the top spot with Masterson and Darrah following. Matt DeLorenzo however was making a charge. He went from fifth to third in one move on lap 23 and set his sights on Masterson.
DeLorenzo moved past Masterson on lap 27 and set sails for leader Lehner. While DeLorenzo would close in, he could not get past Lehner. The Saratoga Springs, New York driver led the rest of the way, picking up the win over DeLorenzo, Britten, Masterson and Stratton.
Mike Mahaney won the 25-lap DIRTcar 358 Modified feature event. Mahaney and Ronnie Johnson led the DiCarlo’s Auto Body DIRTcar 358 Modified feature field to the green with Mahaney taking the early lead over Johnson and Matt Woodruff. Neil Stratton forced the first caution flag on lap three when he came to a stop in turn four.
On the restart the top two would remain the same with Justin Stone moving to third. By lap five Stone would be all over Johnson for the runner up position. After a brief side by side battle Stone would take over the number two position.
Meanwhile Mahaney would check out. When the second-generation driver put lap number 10 up on the scoreboard he had about a straightaway advantage over Stone and Johnson. That lead would be negated on lap 11 when Tim LaDuc slowed on the track.
When racing resumed Mahaney controlled the lead as Stone and Johnson briefly battled for second. On lap 17 Chris Jakubiak took a wild, end over end ride off turn number two, bringing out the red flag.
On the restart the top three remained the same with Jesse Mueller and Brian Gleason following. Mueller quickly closed in on Johnson for third and by lap 21 was all over his rear bumper.
In the end no one had anything for Mahaney, who remained perfect on the season in DIRTcar 358 Modified competition. Stone finished second with Johnson third, Mueller fourth and Gleason fifth. H
Derrick McGrew, Jr. won the DIRTcar Sportsman feature event. The win was worth $1,300 for McGrew courtesy of Greenacres Landscaping.
Mike Baker won the 20-lap Limited Sportsman feature event.
Chuck Dumblewski won the exciting 25-lap DIRTcar Pro Stock feature event.
Tyler Irwin remained perfect on the season in Street Stock competition.
