For the third time this summer, rain forced a cancellation of a night of racing for the IMCA Modifiedes Saturday at Saratoga Speedway. By so doing, the 2017 points championship was clinched. Oyster River’s Chris Beaulieu, whose 225 point lead over Travis Stevenson is untouchable, broke a tied with his uncle Martin Beaulieu for the most championships won at the Black Creek oval with seven. He won his first championship in 2002 in a Bomber car, followed by titles in Modifiedes in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2014 and 2015.
This Saturday features the Hornets, Mad Max, Crash to Pass and Road Runners.
Three of the four point battles appear to need all remaining races to decide point champions. Only the Hornet As point battle is not close enough to change. The tightest battle is the Hornet B division as five drivers have a chance for a championship season. Only 90 points separate the top five, led by Randi Joyce, who has a 52-point lead on Jimmy Antonik followed by James Laidlaw, Evin McLuckie and Taylor Pheaton. The Hornet As have Carter Hintz leading Luke Dixon by 245 points — a difference that could clinch the championship after Saturday’s racing. The remaining top drivers are Glen White, Darren Monk and Ashley White. The Mad Max division is down to two cars as Danielle Antnoik holds a 26-point lead over defending point champion Damon Dunn. Two straight main event wins has put Brad Dimitrov solidly in third; however, the 282 point difference has him out of the championship battle. A missed race night on Sept. 3 has changed up the points race in Crash To Pass. Troy Ordano has taken over top spot but has four drivers breathing down his back as only 71 points separate him from Chris Campbell, Rich Hutton and Mike Jenkins while Scott McLellan has an outside chance being only 138 behind. The Road Runner division, with three races remaining, has two-time defending point champion Ryan Guest leading the way only 67 points ahead of Austen Hack, who led the points race over the first half of the season. Third place Garrett Ann Rosner sits 282 points back.
…..the season’s final race of the season, Sept. 30, will include a giant fireworks show. It will run rain or shine and will feature the Hornet cars, Mad Max, Crash to Pass and Road Runners. Along with the season’s final race is the annual speedway Great Pumpkin race…..