Weaver has a DREAM NIGHT at Albany-Saratoga Speedway

MALTA - It seemed only natural for “The Dream Weaver” to win the “Race Fan's Dream” at Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Tuesday, June 27.

Brian “The Dream Weaver” Weaver took an early lead, and then held off challenges from both Brett Hearn and Bobby Varin to win the 75-lap RoC Dirt Tour event at the Malta track that highlighted the “Race Fan's Dream” night.

The night also included an appearance by the Empire Super Sprints, with Steve Poirier coming away with his third tour victory of the season.

The CVRA limiteds were also in action, with David Emigh getting his first career win in the 30-lap feature.

Weaver is no stranger to Albany-Saratoga Speedway, as he's pulled his big block modified in for numerous open shows in the past. He's always looked strong, but until Tuesday night, he had never been to victory lane.

After starting third, he only needed five laps to get the lead, and he stayed there for the remainder of the 75-lap race, but his win was by no means a walkover.

Hearn, the defending track champion who was piloting his Delaney Construction-sponsored small block, had started 10th, but quickly moved to the front, grabbing the second spot after just nine laps.

He and Weaver then gave the fans their money's worth, running side by side and in and out of traffic. And when Weaver bobbled midway through the feature, slipping off the second turn, Hearn even put the small block in front, until Weaver regrouped and regained the lead in the second turn the next time around.

Varin, who had started seventh, was never too far behind the leaders, and watched as Weaver kept his big block hooked up in the top groove of the track. Varin did the same thing in the Jake Spraker-owned big block and on lap 63, Varin finally made his move around Hearn, into the No. 2 position. Varin pulled right up on Weaver in the final five laps, and switched to the low groove in an attempt to get the win. But when Varin had to break his rhythm for a lapped car, Weaver came away with his first career win at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

“The car was really good, but the driver was a little off,” said Weaver in victory lane after the win. “If there was a better driver in the car, they probably would have won by a bigger margin.”

Hearn came across the finish line third, followed by Jack Johnson and Matt DeLorenzo. Completing the top 10 were Jeff Trombley, Ryan Bartlett, Ted Lamb, Jerry Higbie and Mitch Gibbs. Gibbs had started 23rd in the field after having to earn a spot through one of the last-chance qualifiers.

Emigh held off a strong challenge from Curtis Condon to get the win in the 30-lap limited feature. Emigh started on the outside pole and took the lead for the first time on lap six, but Condon, who had started 16th, made Emigh's life miserable.

Condon and Emigh swapped the lead on two different occasions, until Emigh went back on top for good on lap 17, But still, Condon wouldn't give up, sticking right with the leader and waiting for a mistake. But Emigh never gave up the top spot, finishing 0.689 seconds ahead of Condon.

Pete DeFiglio finished third, with Tom Conroy fourth and Jim Monroe Jr. fifth.

Poirier took the lead on lap 22 and went on to get the win in the 25-lap ESS feature. Poirier led a Canadian sweep, as another Quebecois, Alain Bergeron, hit the stripe second, taking that position away from Doug Norrie on the final lap. Norrie, who had set the pace until Poirier moved in front, finished third, with Jessica Zemken fourth and Russ Bennett fifth.

RoC DIRT TOUR (75 LAPS): BRIAN WEAVER, Bobby Varin, Brett Hearn, Jack Johnson, Matt DeLorenzo, Jeff Trombley, Ryan Bartlett, Ted Lamb, Jerry Higbie, Mitch Gibbs, Frank Cozze, Mark Flach, Jimmy Davis, Keith Flach, Frank Hoard Sr., Jim Becker, Mike Doty, Erik Nelson, Elmo Reckner, Don Mattison, John Ramsey, Jimmy Cottrell, Gene Munger, Don Ackner.

LIMITEDS (30 LAPS): DAVID EMIGH, Curtis Condon, Pete DeFiglio, Tom Conroy, Jim Monroe Jr., Jim Monroe, Brandon Emigh, Richard Burke, John Filarecki, Mike Ostrander, Kevin VanChance, D.J. Brundige, Dan Petronis, Tommy Primeau, Mike Wilber, Ben Durie, John Morris Jr., Anthony Marro, Mike Minick, Tim Pelech, Rich Holmes, Bob Smith, Dan Older, Brian Ashline, T.J. Pierce, Charles Primeau, Rob Purdy, Paul Mulrain, Mark Burch.