Oswego, NY – On May 2nd ISMA will break new ground so to speak when it hits the famed Albany-Saratoga 4/10th’s mile in Malta, NY, which has experienced an asphalt rebirth. Albany-Saratoga Speedway has a long history in the Capital District area of New York. The track is known as “The Great Race Place” and features some of the most competitive short track racing in the Northeast. Albany-Saratoga Speedway was built by Joe Lesik in 1965, and ran as an asphalt track from 1965 until 1976, when it was purchased by CVRA founder C.J. Richards, who switched to a clay surface for the 1977 season.
During its asphalt heyday, Albany-Saratoga Speedway drew the top NASCAR modified and sportsman competitors from throughout the Northeast, including Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, Freddy DeSarro, Eddie Flemke and Geoff Bodine. Bill Greco won the first race ever held at the speedway, on July 16, 1965, and Cook won the last asphalt race on Sept. 5, 1975.
This latest transformation actually began as an experiment, when Albany-Saratoga Speedway promoter Bruce Richards decided to remove the clay in September 2009 and run some shows on the original asphalt surface, which has remained under the clay for more than 30 years. At that time, he also booked dates with three asphalt touring groups (American Canadian Tour late models, ISMA supermodifieds and Modified Racing Series/ROC asphalt modifieds) for races in the spring, and the plan was to put the clay back down in May 2010.
But after discussions with his business partners, sponsors and race teams, the decision was made to make a complete change to asphalt. “2009 was really tough,” Richards said. “I can't tell you the time and effort that was put into track preparation, just to have it rain at 5 or 6 p.m. on a Friday night. We're opening up a new world of opportunities in regard to fans, race teams and sponsorship. By going asphalt, we're also going to be unique. There are a lot of dirt tracks in this area, but we will have the only show on asphalt, and we're going to be able to do some things the other tracks can't do.”
ISMA competitors are anxious to get their season started and even more excited about having it start at a brand new venue – to them at least. One ISMA competitor, Lou Cicconi, will be jumping the gun so to speak as he intends to compete in the April ATQMRA event at the new-old famed asphalt oval.
Six-time ISMA champion Chris Perley, who has announced he would not be running a full ISMA schedule this season in the Vic Miller 11, will definitely be on hand for the Albany-Saratoga inaugural season opener as will his new teammate Mike Ordway Sr. Said Perley recently, “I’m excited about going to Albany-Saratoga. I’ve been told that it’s ‘my kind of track’. I’ve never seen it but I’m always looking forward to competing at a new track. You never know what to expect. That’s what’s fun. You just go out and play and learn.”
Many other ISMA drivers and owners expect to make the trek to the Malta oval, including Vern Romanoski, the Lane Racing team of Eddie Witkum Jr. and Danny Lane, Brandon Bellinger, Ben Seitz, Bobby Bond, multi-time ISMA champ Russ Wood and his car owner Jeff Holbrook, Bob Magner, in another Holbrook mount, Bobby Haynes Jr., Dave Shullick Jr., Mark Sammut, Mike Lichty, Jeff Locke, Justin Belfiore, Oswego champ Otto Sitterly and many more. With the track located close to New England and not that far from Canada and Ohio, fans can expect a full pit of competitive cars.
Sunday, May 2nd is the date of the opener with a 1 pm start to the racing. The pit gates open at 10 a.m. and the grandstand at 11 a.m. Practice starts at 11 a.m. For more information go to www.cvra.com.
From ISMASupers.com
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