Column By: MIKE WARREN / DIRTCAR – WEST LEBANON, NY – A doubleheader in New York’s Capital Region awaits the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series as it returns to action this weekend.
First, the Series makes its lone stop at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, NY, on Saturday, Aug. 24, for the Old Buzzard event, which is in honor of the late Pro Stock driver Jimmy Langenback.
Then, on Sunday, Aug. 25, the Series returns to Glen Ridge Motorsports Park in Fultonville, NY, for the final time this season.
Both Features will be 30 laps, paying $1,000-to-win.
Here’s a look at What to Watch for at Lebanon Valley and Glen Ridge:
Emigh Leads the Pack: After two DIRTcar Pro Stock Series events, Brandon Emigh leads the points standings entering this weekend’s doubleheader.
The Ballston Spa, NY driver has a 10-point lead over Pete Stefanski after winning at Albany-Saratoga in May and finishing second at Glen Ridge.
Emigh aims for his third consecutive Series podium Saturday at Lebanon Valley, a track he’s yet to make a Series start at.
Stafanski Aims to Stay Hot: While Emigh won the Series’ opening round at Albany-Saratoga, Stefanski won in July’s visit to Glen Ridge.
He enters the weekend on a streak of 10 top fives in his last 12 DIRTcar Pro Stock Series starts, dating back to September 2022. That includes a fifth at Lebanon Valley last August.
Stefanski, the winningest driver in Series history, is searching for his 29th career DIRTcar Pro Stock Series triumph.
Beware of the Valley Boys: A Lebanon Valley regular has won all 15 DIRTcar Pro Stock Series events dating back to 1999.
The most recent winner is Nick Hilt, who earned his first Series win last year. Hilt is currently second in the track’s point standings with two wins and nine top fives in 13 starts.
He’s chasing Zachary Sorrentino, a four-time winner this season with 10 top five finishes.
The Lee, MA driver finished fourth in last year’s event and drives the No. 54S in honor of Langenback.
Back to the Ridge: Glen Ridge has hosted four DIRTcar Pro Stock Series events, with four different drivers reaching Victory Lane. Three of them are former Series champions.
Bruno Richard, Luke Horning, and Stefanski have been victorious at the 1/4 mile, along with Josh Coonradt, who recently moved up to Sportsman.
Richard and Horning went on to win the championship in the same season they won the Series event at “The Ridge.”
Horning, the defending Series champion, is also the points leader at Glen Ridge. However, he’s aiming for his first Series top 10 of 2024.
The Gloversville, NY driver is aiming for his seventh career Series win. He enters the weekend 14th in points, 64 points behind Emigh.
2024 DIRTcar Pro Stock Schedule
Date, Track | Winner
- Friday, May 17, Albany-Saratoga Speedway | Brandon Emigh
- Sunday, July 14, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park | Pete Stefanski
- Monday, Aug. 12, Brewerton Speedway | Rain
- Saturday, Aug. 24, Lebanon Valley Speedway
- Sunday, Aug. 25, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park
- Saturday, Sept. 21, Albany-Saratoga Speedway
- Friday, Oct. 4, Fulton Speedway
- Friday, Oct. 11, Oswego Speedway
- Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, The Dirt Track at Charlotte*
*Denotes Non-Points Paying Event