DIRTcar Sportsman Series East Region Kicks Off 2026 Campaign at Lebanon Valley

Column By: Mike Warren – DIRTCAR RACING – WEST LEBANON, NY  – The DIRTcar Sportsman Series is back in action for the first time this weekend with the East Region helping to open the series’ schedule.

The Region kicks off the quest to become the top Sportsman driver in the Northeast with a stop at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, NY. Drivers will battle in a 30-lap Feature paying $2,000-to-win.

Joining the DIRTcar Sportsman Series East Region this weekend is the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series, DIRTcar Pro Stocks, Limited Sportsman, Street Stock, and 4-Cylinder divisions.

For more on the DIRTcar Northeast, follow the DIRTcar Northeast  Facebook page.

 Here’s a look at what to watch for at Lebanon Valley:

Hartman’s Home: Over the past few seasons, Tim Hartman Jr. has been the driver to beat in the Sportsman division at Lebanon Valley Speedway. That includes last year when he won his third consecutive track championship.

The Niskayuna, NY driver already has momentum to kick off the year, winning the track’s season opener last week—his 22nd win at Lebanon Valley since 2004. Hartman has one career DIRTcar Sportsman Series victory, coming at Albany-Saratoga Speedway during OktoberFAST in 2020.

Valley Standouts: A few drivers aiming to keep Hartman out of Victory Lane on Saturday are Nick Giardini, who finished second to Hartman in the track’s standings last year, Anthony Maxon, and A.J. Albreada, who all earned wins in 2025.

Giardini, from Brookfield, CT, scored four wins last season and finished in the top 10 in 14 of the 15 races in 2025. He opened the season with a fifth-place finish last week.

Maxon, from Pownal, VT, and Albreada, from East Greenbush, NY, each made one trip to Victory Lane last season. In last week’s season opener, Albreada finished fourth after starting 16th, and Maxon finished 28th.

Both drivers are searching for their first career Series victories.

Ridge Runners Invading: Lebanon Valley will be the largest track on the East Region schedule at 5/8-mile and will be a change of pace for drivers who race at Bear Ridge Speedway weekly, which is a 1/4-mile. However, that doesn’t mean these drivers aren’t familiar with the “Valley of Speed.”

Fairlee, VT driver Kevin Chaffee, who finished second in last year’s East Region standings, and Jason Gray, who finished third, have each made starts at Lebanon Valley in the past. Out of those two drivers, Gray, from East Thetford, VT, has had the upper hand, earning a 13th as his best finish, while Chaffee’s is 17th twice.

Chaffee earned his first Series win at Bear Ridge last August, while Gray is a three-time Series winner, all at Bear Ridge.

2026 DIRTcar Sportsman East Region Schedule

Saturday, April 18/Lebanon Valley Speedway/West Lebanon, NY
Thursday, May 14/Airborne Park Speedway/Plattsburgh, NY
Saturday, May 23/Bear Ridge Speedway/Bradford, VT
Sunday, July 5/Glen Ridge Motorsports Park/Fultonville, NY