McGrew Jr., Wagner-Fitzgerald, and Laflair Lead Newcomer Of The Year Contenders Early In 2026 CDRA Racing Season
COLUMN BY: Rob Hazer / CAPITAL DISTRICT RACING ASSOCIATION – FONDA, NY – Drivers eagerly await an opportunity to earn JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA series points presented by Elmo’s Speed Supply Tuesday June 16th at Lebanon Valley Speedway during the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modified Mr. Dirt program. With one PPE in the history books, there are five dynamic young talents chasing NOTY honors in 2026.
Derrick McGrew Jr. of Ballston Spa, NY currently sits fifth in overall CDRA points, but leads all NOTY contenders driving his Next Generation Roofing, West End Towing & Repair, and Herron Realty number 26 Bicknell. McGrew has a pair of top five finishes in series PPE’s and has improved his final points standings each year going from 15th overall in 2024 to 8th overall in 2025.
Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald from Gansevoort, NY has followed a similar path with his S&S Mobile RV Repair Inc., Winchell Construction, and Heldenberg Construction number 88 Bicknell. Mikey Waggs is currently seventh in CDRA points a mere two behind McGrew Jr. in the NOTY battle. Fitzgerald has three top 10 finishes to his credit in series PPE’s and 10th overall in 2025.
Jordan, NY racer Savannah Laflair has had the most improvement of all NOTY contenders over three seasons of CDRA racing. She has qualified for every PPE she entered racing her 13th Hour Rising Haunted Hayride, Mohawk Northeast, and Happy Days Drive-In number 16X Bicknell. She’s eighth in points after earning both Newcomer Of The Race and Hard Charger awards back in April.
Warrensburg, NY racer Jordan Hill has had some shining moments thus far in 2026, including a respectable top 15 finish in the PPE opener with her Relia-Tech Auto Services, Rounds Paving, and Witz Roofing number 51 Bicknell. Jordan just moved up this season from Limited Sportsman challenging herself to series racing with CDRA and weekly competition at the great race place.
Rounding out top five NOTY contenders so far in 2026 is Lee, MA racer Cam VanZandt. He too is moving up from Limited to a rather ambitious Sportsman Modified schedule this season with his VanZandt Water & Sewer Construction, LB Corporation, and Loring Property Services number 313 Bicknell. Cam is 19th overall heading to the valley of speed for Mr. Crate Track USA event.
Other drivers in the mix for the NOTY this season include Bodie Marks, Chad Gregory, Katrina LeClaire, Brent Warren, and Raelin Dunham. These drivers all met the Newcomer criteria with CDRA in that they pre-registered for full-time series status, have never won the series title or multiple races, and have not raced full-time last season or won a Big Block Modified event.
“There’s an incredible mix of young talent, and veterans in the mix for the NOTY. We always call it our points battle, within the war. They’re looking for the G&R Motorsports Newcomer Of The Year and one of them may be outstanding enough to win the L.D. Bossman Championship Trophy as well. It’ll be fun to keep an eye on for sure,” said competition director Rob Hazer.
UP NEXT FOR CDRA: Series racers head to the valley of speed, Lebanon Valley Speedway, for the first Crown Jewel event of the season. Mr. Crate Track USA takes place on Tuesday June 16th as part of the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modified special. The Sportsman Modified will be going 25-laps in the A-Main with a draw-redraw format..
CDRA is a nostalgic throwback to CVRA days. Each season consists of a diverse schedule based around storied dirt tracks in the Capitaland such as Albany-Saratoga, Lebanon Valley, and Glen Ridge. Drivers who participate have the opportunity to earn hardware and monetary rewards for their efforts.
For more information on CDRA visit www.cdraracing.com on the web. Fans and drivers can also find CDRA on Social Media at www.facebook.com/cdraracing. Be sure to save, like, and follow.
Anyone interested in joining CDRA family of marketing partners can contact the series via website, phone, or e-mail.
2026 CDRA POINTS PAYING EVENTS
04/17/26 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway | WINNER: Joey Scarborough
06/16/26 – Lebanon Valley Speedway | Mr. Crate Track USA w/SDS Big Block Tour
07/05/26 – Glen Ridge Motorsports Park | Montgomery County Brawl w/DIRTcar Sportsman Series
07/24/26 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway | Flying Trowel 32 w/Stan Da’ Man Night
08/09/26 – Glen Ridge Motorsports Park | Rumble At The Ridge w/DIRTcar Sportsman Series
09/25/26 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway | Great Crate Classic w/SDS 358 Modified & DIRTcar Sportsman On Malta Massive Weekend
