SMOOTH SAILING: Mike Mahaney Nets Malta Massive Weekend Opener
Felix Roy finishes second, takes over Series points lead
MALTA, NY (September 20, 2024) – Albany-Saratoga Speedway’s marquee event started with a familiar face in Victory Lane.
Mike Mahaney stormed around Felix Roy on Lap 35 and drove away to score his first career DIRTcar 358 Modified Series victory in Friday’s Malta Massive Weekend opener.
“This car has been awesome all year,” Mahaney said. “To come here and get this win is phenomenal. I didn’t realize I hadn’t won in the 358 Series before. This is cool. And we get this belt again. This is my second Malta Massive Weekend belt.
“I really want to thank all the fans for that ovation. You guys are awesome.”
Roy and defending race winner Mat Williamson brought the field to green in the 50-lap Feature, with Roy gaining the advantage off Turn 2.
That advantage grew in the race’s first 10 laps, as the Napierville, QC driver drove to a full straightaway advantage. However, that didn’t last long, as he reached lap traffic by Lap 11.
Behind the 2023 Super DIRTcar Series Rookie of the Year, Williamson was rolling the inside of the racetrack, with Mahaney gaining momentum on the outside. The two drivers waged war as Williamson met Mahaney’s challenges at every turn.
Eventually, Mahaney’s perseverance prevailed as he crossed Williamson over in Turns 3 and 4, sliding in front of the No. 6 as they completed Lap 32.
While Roy battled in lap traffic, Mahaney and Williamson slowly reeled him in, putting Mahaney in striking distance once he passed “Money Mat.”
Mahaney returned to the outside and needed two laps to catch Roy in traffic, pulling even with “Hollywood” as they raced into Turns 3 and 4 on Lap 34.
They stayed wheel-to-wheel as they raced down the backstretch. But when they again entered Turns 3 and 4, Mahaney found a burst of speed and thundered past Roy on the outside to take the lead on Lap 35.
Despite a pair of cautions for Billy Dunn in the final 15 laps, Mahaney went untouched to earn the $5,000 victory and second Malta Massive Weekend triumph after his Super DIRTcar Series win in 2021.
With the long green flag run to start the race, Mahaney said he didn’t realize how far ahead Roy was.
“I was just trying to get by Mat,” Mahaney said. “All of a sudden, the two of us reeled him in, and it was a three-car battle. It’s awesome to put on that kind of show. I’m really proud of that.
“This is a great confidence booster.”
Roy settled for second after leading the race’s first 35 laps. While he was happy with his podium finish, he said his inexperience cost him a chance to earn his first Series win.
“The more it slicked off, the car wasn’t as good,” Roy said. “With the lap cars, I didn’t really know where to go. I stayed on the bottom, and it seemed faster, but then Mike passed me on the top and I tried to follow him.
“He did a great job, and congratulations to him.”
Roy is the new DIRTcar 358 Modified Series points leader with his runner-up finish. He holds a two-point lead over veteran Lance Willix, who finished ninth.
Defending race winner Mat Williamson rounded out the podium. He said he felt his car wasn’t good from the initial green flag.
“The car never really fired,” Williamson said. “At the end, I felt like I was just running where I had to. It was a tricky racetrack. The cushion was pretty big. You could race all over it, and I think it’ll be really good with the Big Block tomorrow.”
Matt Delorenzo finished fourth, and Albany-Saratoga 358 Modified track champion Marc Johnson finished fifth.
UP NEXT: The DIRTcar 358 Modified Series heads to Super DIRT Week 52. First, the Series visits Brewerton Speedway for the Hurricane Harvey 75 on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Then, they’ll head to Oswego Speedway for theSalute to the Troops 150 on Friday, Oct. 11. For Tickets, visit SuperDIRTWeek.com.
If you can’t make it to the track, you can watch all of the action at Super DIRT Week on DIRTVision, either online or with the DIRTVision app.
DIRTcar 358 Modiifed Series Feature (50 Laps): 1. 35-Mike Mahaney[5]; 2. 91-Felix Roy[1]; 3. 6M-Mat Williamson[2]; 4. 3D-Matt Delorenzo[9]; 5. 3J-Marc Johnson[13]; 6. 92-Andrew Buff[4]; 7. 70A-Alex Payne[21]; 8. M1-David Marcuccilli[3]; 9. 31-Lance Willix[12]; 10. 35C-Chris Curtis[11]; 11. 15X-Justin Stone[10]; 12. 5-Amy Holland[18]; 13. 21A-Peter Britten[24]; 14. 6-Robert Bublak[23]; 15. 2RJ-Ronnie Johnson[15]; 16. 12-Darren Smith[22]; 17. 19C-Brandon Carvey[20]; 18. 22W-Noah Walker[6]; 19. 7S-Shaun Shaw[19]; 20. 77-Walter Hammond Jr[14]; 21. 28-Michael Trautschold[17]; 22. 88H-Walt Hammond[27]; 23. 39-Ryan Bartlett[29]; 24. 21R-Jeffrey Reis[26]; 25. 11S-Steve Lewis Jr[28]; 26. (DNF) 49-Billy Dunn[7]; 27. (DNF) 31B-Ryan Dolbear[16]; 28. (DNF) 9-Tyler Meeks[25]; 29. (DNF) 20-David Schilling[8]; 30. (DNF) 117-CJ Castelletti[30]
Post-Race Tech: Carburetors were checked along with intake for porting.
Hoosier Racing Tire Award (Free Tire): Robert Bublak
ARTICLE: https://dirtcar.com/recap/smooth-sailing-mike-mahaney-nets-malta-massive-weekend-opener/
EVENT INFO: https://superdirtcarseries.com/schedule/event-info/?event=6255
TRACK INFO: https://albany-saratogaspeedway.com
FAN 101: https://about.dirtcar.com/
Sources: Mike Warren, DIRTcar Racing PR
Crane Brothers Claim Malta Massive Weekend One-Two Finish
By Joe Grabianowski
MALTA, NY (September 20, 2024) – The Craniacs in the crowd rose to their feet as a pair of brothers swept the top two Friday at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.
Chris Crane, from Canaan, CT, crossed the finish line first ahead of brother Connor Crane after 35 straight laps of DIRTcar Sportsman Series Feature action on night one of Malta Massive Weekend.
Series points leader Cody McPherson settled for third as the brothers drove off in a heated battle.
“It is bittersweet because he [Connon Crane] is the one person I want to battle for the win with and the last person I want to pass for the win, “Chris Crane said. “It is bittersweet for sure.”
Overall Qualifying quick-timer Derrick McGrew, from nearby Ballston Spa, NY, led the 30-car Sportsman field in the early going racing side-by-side with Emmett Waldron, from Savannah, NY. Waldron bounced violently in Turn 1 and gave up the lead. McGrew’s time at the top was short-lived as Connor Crane dove under McGrew and took the point position out of Turn 4.
All-time Sportsman Series win leader Cody McPherson, from St. Catharines, ON, also passed McGrew and took second. However, he had no defense against the charging Chris Crane as he swept by on the backstretch on Lap 12.
Mid-race, Connor Crane closed in on lapped traffic with brother Chris on his tail. With the pressure on, Connor bobbled allowing Chris Crane to cruise by and maintain the lead until the checkered flag.
“I am just shocked,” said Chris Crane. “When I got by, I wanted to give him as much room as I could because ever since he got into the big car we talked about battling one-two on maybe a weekly night but to do it on Malta Massive Weekend with all the DIRTcar guys here says how good how program has been this year.”
Some pre-race film study helped prepare Crane for the 35-lap Feature.
“In the pits, I was sitting on the right front tire watching last year’s race,” Chris Crane said. “I saw Andrew Buff got to the front because he was pounding the outside. Starting on the outside I tried it, and everyone hit those holes in Turn 1. I went higher than everyone and it was there.”
Young Connor Crane was unphased by losing the lead to his brother. He is already planning his next trip.
“I can’t believe it,” Connor Crane exclaimed. “My dad said if either of us won we’re going to Super DIRT Week, so I guess we’re going to Super DIRT Week!”
It was a long tow from St. Catharines for Series points leader Cody McPherson.
“For our second time here, we ran really good,” McPherson said. “I didn’t know the race was so close to ending when it finished. We were definitely a third-place car. I was hoping for a yellow maybe. We’ll take the podium.”
Next up for the DIRTcar Sportsman Series is the highly anticipated Hurricane Harvey on Tuesday, October 8 as part of the 52nd running of Super DIRT Week. Tickets will be available at the gate, and you can catch every lap LIVE on DIRTVision.
DIRTcar Sportsman Feature (35 Laps): 1. 711-Chris Crane Jr[6]; 2. 711X-Connor Crane[3]; 3. 7M-Cody McPherson[5]; 4. 26-Derrick Mcgrew Jr[1]; 5. 4-Emmett Waldron[2]; 6. 89-Dylan Madsen[4]; 7. 22-Tim Hartman Jr[7]; 8. 49-Chris Jakubiak[9]; 9. 38-Zach Sobotka[8]; 10. 01-Zach Buff[11]; 11. 5J-Patrick Jones[18]; 12. 410-Mike Fowler[12]; 13. 6-Cody Manitta[17]; 14. 07W-Taylor Wason[15]; 15. 18-Gavin Eisele[19]; 16. 30-Nicholas Root[22]; 17. 88W-Michael Wagner Fitzgerald[10]; 18. 2B-Bryce Breault[13]; 19. 916-Nick Brundige[20]; 20. 98-Craig Wholey[26]; 21. 12-Jon Miller[21]; 22. 34-Dylan Grogan[24]; 23. T32-Taylor LaPlante[25]; 24. 06-Michael Coffey Jr[23]; 25. 52-Jessica Power[27]; 26. 21-Ryan Barrett[29]; 27. 25G-Matt Gebo[16]; 28. (DNF) 16X-Savannah Laflair[30]; 29. (DNF) FOX28-Tyler Stevenson[28]; 30. (DNF) 02-Brendan Gibbons[14]
Post-Race Tech: Fuel checked, MSD Box plus wires were checked. exhaust was pulled and exhaust ports were checked, mufflers were checked for anti-reversion.
Hoosier Racing Tire Award (Free Tire): Bryce Breault
ARTICLE: https://dirtcar.com/recap/
EVENT INFO: https://superdirtcarseries.
TRACK INFO: https://albany-
FAN 101: https://about.dirtcar.com/
DIRTcar Racing is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: Chevy Performance (Official Vehicle), DIRTVision (Official Live Broadcast Partner), Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), Racing Electronics (Official Radio Supplier), SIS Insurance (Official Insurance Provider), VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel), iRacing (Official Online Racing Game), Arizona Sport Shirts/Gotta Race. Contingency sponsors include: ARP (Automotive Racing Products), Bassett Racing Wheel, Bell Helmets, Beyea Custom Headers, Cometic Gasket, COMP Cams, Fast Shafts, Fox Factory, Jerovetz Motorsports Shock Service, KSE Racing Products, Lifeline, MSD, Multi Fire X, Quarter Master, Schoenfeld Headers, Summit Racing Equipment, Swift Springs, Velocita USA, and Wieland Metal Services (Exclusive Racing Aluminum). Along with manufacturer sponsors, including: FIREBULL, Intercomp, and Simpson Performance Products.