MALTA, N.Y. — Third generation DIRTcar modified hotshoe Keith Flach led the field home in Friday night’s 35-lap feature at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, besting the area’s hottest driver of late, Matt DeLorenzo.
Flach, who started fourth after losing an engine last week, watched Rich Ronca and Matt DePew duel for the lead early on but by lap 10, he was ready to go. He blew by Scott Huber, who had advanced to second, then dispatched DePew on lap 14 and started building a big lead.
Behind him, Ronca, who had dropped back, turned up the wick and climbed from fourth back to second at halfway with the 14th starting DeLorenzo showing eighth. Flach had a straightaway lead and was lapping the backmarkers steadily when Adam Gage spun in turn three on lap 27 to draw the race’s only caution.
By then, DeLorenzo stood fourth with Marc Johnson, Ronca and Flach between him and another win. He jumped to third on the restart and claimed second the next time around but that was as close as he got, as Flach used the meager but grippy cushion to power away for the victory.
Johnson was third ahead of Demetrious Drellos, eighth -row starter Mike Mahaney, Ronca, Peter Britten and Kenny Tremont Jr.
“We’ve had good speed but couldn’t put it all together until tonight,” said Flach. “It’s good to finally get another win. I knew Matt was there. He’s on a roll lately but I just kept hitting my marks and I made it!”
“The top was dominant after they watered the track before the feature,” added DeLorenzo. “The car was good, just not quite as good on the bottom as Keith was up top. But we can’t complain, we’ve done very well lately.”
In the USAC DMC midget finale, Will Hull prevailed over Seth Carlson after a terrific battle that saw the veterans swap the lead before Hull, the early leader, reclaimed it for good. Josh Sunn was third.
“I love coming here,” said Hull. “I knew if I was patient I could beat him getting up off the turn. Not a bad showing considering we’re using last year’s tires.”
In the Sportsman division, Ronnie Proctor, who is in his 60s, claimed the win over 12-year-old Brock Pinkerous. Mike Parodi snared the special $1000 winner’s share of the Limited Sportsman purse by besting John Sontain and Dan Seguin after a race long battle.