Story By: KING OF DIRT – WEST HAVEN, VT – Cornwall Motor Speedway may not have many races run yet in 2022, but Ryan Stabler wasted no time in earning his first dub of the season. Tim Hartman Jr. has dominated Albany-Saratoga for the past two seasons, and finally found victory lane at Malta. Luke Horning and Josh Coonradt also earned their first wins of the season at Fonda Speedway and Utica Rome.
Nine different drivers earned Fastline Performance King Of Dirt Racing Series presented by Swagger Factory Apparel victories this past weekend. Weather once again played a part in some tracks such as Cornwall and Can-Am slipping behind, however KOD continues to stress everything balances out once drivers hit 12 finishes. For now, weekly point shake ups are real.
KOD features three drivers weekly and if it’s their first win, they’re almost guaranteed a moment in the spotlight among 80+ of their peers. This week Ryan Stabler is first up to acknowledge his first win of the season at Cornwall Motor Speedway. A solid competitor racing towards his best 12 finishes driving his Next Level Home Improvement – RSI Industrial number 77E Bicknell.
There is seemingly nobody at Albany-Saratoga that can match Tim Hartman Jr.’s consistency, which is why earning his first win mid-June is somewhat shocking. Not really though, considering it was just a matter of time, as he already has a pair of trips to victory lane at Lebanon Valley driving his MRP Companies – Bemiss Trucking number 22 Troyer chassis.
Rounding out the ‘podium’ of highlighted drivers this week are a pair of Pro Stock competitors. Luke Horning earned his first win of the year at Fonda Speedway breaking Nick Stone’s streak driving his West End Towing – RCT Roofing number 2H Playfab chassis. Josh Coonradt rebounded from adversity to score his first win of the season at Utica Rome Speedway behind the wheel of his Shult’s Auto Center – Ted’s Body Shop number 00 Manimal Chassis.
OVERALL KOD NOTES: Let’s start Overall weekly KOD notes with Payton Talbot who is red hot at Utica Rome Speedway. He wheeled his race rocket to win number five on the season and leaped to top of the KOD leaderboard. He’ll be a contender for the crown driving his Precision Hydraulic & Oil – Fastline Performance number 14T HigFab chassis.
Albany-Saratoga Pro Stock competitor Rob Yetman found his way back to victory lane for the third time this season Friday night. Yetman is no stranger to winning and now finds himself right back in the championship battle just nine points out of first. He’ll look to be king for the second time in his career driving a potent Lazzaro’s Auto Body – L. Browe Asphalt Services JACR chassis.
Fonda Speedway’s 3-time track champion and current point leader Chad Edwards parked it for the fourth time on the famed checkerboard square. ‘Lunchbox’ as his fans call him, is just two points from the crown driving his Kollar Motorsports – Pigskin Pros number 10% Bicknell.
Recently turned 21-year-old New Egypt Speedway hot rod Joe Toth earned his third win of the year Saturday night. Toth made a late race move to earn the dub driving his Belmont’s Garage – Danny’s Pizza Pizzazz number 9 Bicknell chassis.
Last but certainly not least let’s note Bear Ridge Speedway hot shoe Jason Gray. Defending track champion earned his second win of the season at the Bradford, VT bullring. He’s been a KOD competitor in the past, award winner, and now wants to wear the crown driving his CW Gray & Sons – Connecticut Valley Auto Auctions number 00 Bicknell chassis.
CURRENT TOP 10 KING OF DIRT RACING OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP POINT DRIVERS
Points Driver Car# Track
596 Payton Talbot***** 14T URS
594 Chad Edwards**** 10% FON
593 Beau Ballard**** 15 URS
590 Cody Mcpherson*** 7 MTV
587 Chris Mackey*** 3 FUL
587 Joe Toth*** 9 NES
587 Rob Yetman*** 7 ALB
586 Alan Fink*** 28 TMS
584 Matt Janczuk* 33X URS
584 Luke Horning* 2H FON