Tremont returns to victory lane at Albany-Saratoga

MALTA –  Ken Tremont Jr. was late for the party Friday night, but still managed to spoil it.

With the Ronca brothers starting side-by-side in the front row for the 35-lap modified feature at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, it looked like there was going to be a family celebration. But Tremont had other ideas.

After arriving late at the speedway after having problems with his hauler on the way to the track, Tremont came from deep in the pack and walked off with his second win of the season at the historic Malta track.

Tremont arrived at the track just in time to tag on to the back of the third and final modified heat, and started 15th in the field, but he got the lead with five laps to go and came away with his 55th career victory at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Tremont went to the high groove early, and stayed there to get the win.

Rich Ronca set the pace for the first 12 laps, before giving up the top spot to his older brother, Don. Don Ronca, who had 11 career wins on the dirt at Albany-Saratoga, quickly took off and by the time Tremont finally worked his way to second, on lap 23, Ronca had a huge lead.

But lapped traffic helped Tremont gain ground, and with five to go, he took the lead for good, and became just the second two-time winner this season, joining Mike Bruno in that category.

“We have been playing with shocks and springs all season long, and haven't run the same setup twice on the car,” said Tremont, who explained that a short on a battery cable caused the air brakes on his hauler to engage about a mile from the track, prompting his delayed arrival. “The outside groove worked good for us.”

Although neither of the Roncas got the win, both had their best finishes of the season.

“My plan was to stay out front and have (his brother Don) block for me, but it didn't work out that way,” said Rich Ronca, who ran in the sportsman class at Albany-Saratoga before moving up to the modifieds this season.

Although Don Ronca had his best night of the year, as he also won the Denooyer Dash for Cash, he was still a little frustrated.

“We have been struggling with tires and with the car, and just when I think I know what I'm doing, I actually don't,” he said.

Kris Vernold finished fourth, just the second time this year he's cracked the top five, and Keith Flach was fifth.

Jason Herrington had another outstanding run in the sportsman feature, coming away with his fifth victory of the season. After starting fifth on the grid, Herrington took the lead away from Luke Klob on lap 18 and breezed to victory. He was followed by Hunter Bates, Paul Dunham Jr., Chris Johnson and Adam Tranka.

Carl Guilefuss notched his second win of the campaign in the 30-lap pro-stock feature. Guilefuss was on the move early, and when Mike Scorzelli brought out the caution on lap 10, Guilefuss used the restart to rocket into the lead. He then left the rest of the field in his wake, beating Kim Duell to the finish line by over five seconds. Duell was followed by Darryl Carl, Jeremy Houghtaling and Fred Little.

Dave Emigh picked up win No. 4 in the 25-lap Renegade feature, holding off Brandon Emigh and Jon Miller in a wild finish, and Harold Lavair returned to victory lane in the Bomber Warriors division.

Another big night of racing at Albany-Saratoga Speedway is planned for July 16, highlighted by a 50-lap Tri-Track modified series race. All other divisions will be in action, with racing beginning at 6:45 p.m.

MODIFIEDS: KEN TREMONT JR., Don Ronca, Rich Ronca, Kris Vernold, Keith Flach, Mike Bruno, Jim Ryan, Marc Johnson, Joe Williams, Ron Proctor, Randy Hotaling, Dave DePaulo, Matt Depew, Andy Lindemann, Dave Manny, Mike Perrotte, Leon Gonyo, Don Scarborough, Chris Ross.

DENOOYER DASH: DON RONCA, Ken Tremont Jr., Matt Depew, Keith Flach, Leon Gonyo, Randy Hotaling.

SPORTSMAN: JASON HERRINGTON, Hunter Bates, Paul Dunham Jr., Chris Johnson, Adam Tranka, Luke Klob, Jimmy Introne, Andy Durie, Cody Sargen, Jason Rheome, Fred Proctor.

PRO-STOCKS: CARL GUILEFUSS, Kim Duell, Darryl Carl, Jeremy Houghtaling, Fred Little,. Sheldon Martin, Jim Monroe, Chad White, Mike Paquin, Scott Duell, Mike Scorzelli.

RENEGADES: DAVE EMIGH, Brandon Emigh, Jon Miller, Dan Petronis, Frank Monroe, Dan Older, Justin Demers, Bill Burlingame, Josh Coonradt, Mike Ostrander.

BOMBER WARRIORS: HAROLD LAVAIR, Ken Duell, Colin Clow, Dan Older Jr., Jon Lindblade, Ken Hulbert, Josh Laporte.