Super DIRT Week Guaranteed Spot On The Line During ‘Malta Massive Weekend’ At Albany-Saratoga
News Director 
Story By: TOM BOGGIE / ALBANY-SARATOGA SPEEDWAY – MALTA, NY – A top prize of $10,000 and a guaranteed starting spot in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 during NAPA Super DIRT Week at Oswego will be on the line when the Super DIRT Series makes its second stop of the season at Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The 100-lap feature will be the culmination of three nights of racing for “Malta Massive Weekend” at the historic Malta track.
So far, six drivers have locked up guaranteed starting spots, including Stewart Friesen, who won Brett Hearn’s “Big Show 11” at Albany-Saratoga Speedway earlier this year. Other guaranteed starters are Matt Sheppard (Can-Am), Erick Rudolph (Weedsport), Ryan Godown (Orange County), Larry Wight (Airborne) and Billy Decker (Eldora). Sheppard leads the series with six wins in 12 races.
If one of the guaranteed starters wins the Super DIRT Series race at Albany-Saratoga on Sept. 21, the next highest finisher who doesn’t have a spot locked up will get the guaranteed starting position.
The list of drivers trying to use their home-track advantage to secure a spot in the prestigious Billy Whittaker Cars 200 include 13-time champion Ken Tremont Jr., Brett Hearn, Peter Britten, Marc Johnson, Ronnie Johnson and Rocky Warner.
“The Malta Massive Weekend” will begin on Thursday, Sept. 19 with the 54-lap “Come ‘N Get It” season-opening program, which was rained out five times. Sponsored by Bart Contracting and Schaghticoke Wine & Spirits, “Come ‘N Get It” will pay $5,400 to win.
Although the modified heats for the 54-lapper have already been completed, with Anthony Perrego scheduled to start on the pole, there will be at least one consolation race for the modifieds, and promoter Lyle DeVore has also added one last chance qualifier, which is open to any car, big block or small block, that wants a chance to get into “Come ‘N Get It.”
In addition, the Thursday card will include all the regular divisions that were scheduled to compete on April 23. The sportsman will be racing for a top prize of $1,000, compliments of John Ray & Sons. Pit wristbands and general admission tickets from the rained out program on April 23 will be accepted.
Night two of “The Malta Massive Weekend” will be held on Friday, Sept. 20 and will be highlighted by a small block modified feature which will pay $4,000 to win. The primary sponsor for that race is Tom Clothier Trucking and will be part of the Suicide Prevention Awareness campaign. Bart Contracting has also come on board for the Friday night show, which will include modified time trials, with a $500 bonus going to the quickest driver around the historic four-tenths mile circuit. A Dean’s Electrical sportsman series race, street stocks and four-cylinders will also be on the program.
Night three of “The Malta Massive Weekend” will be showcased by the Super DIRT Series race. The modifieds will be joined by a DIRT Pro Stock Series race and limited sportsman on the Saturday, Sept. 21 program.
Sunday, Sept 22 has been set aside for a rain date if any of the three original nights have to be postponed because of weather.
Fans can take advantage of free camping on the speedway grounds during all three days of the “Malta Massive Weekend”.
Reserved seating in the top two rows of the grandstand is now on sale and will be available for both the Friday and Saturday portions of the three-day show. Reserved seating will be $20 on Sept. 20, and $35 on Sept. 21. Reserved seats can be purchased at the speedway on race nights or by calling the speedway office at (518) 587-0220.
