The first fall showdown of 2024 is on tap for the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series, as it returns to action at Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Friday, Sept. 20, during Malta Massive Weekend.
The weekend event is a preview of Super DIRT Week 52 at Oswego Speedway (Oct. 7-12), as all four DIRTcar Series’ will be in action.
Joining the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series on the Friday night card is the DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series and Albany-Saratoga Street Stocks.
For more on the DIRTcar Northeast, follow the DIRTcar Facebook page and the Series’ X/(Twitter) page.
Here’s a look at what to watch for at Albany-Saratoga Speedway:
Battle For the Top: After his win at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park to kick off the 2024 season, Lance Willix enters Malta Massive Weekend with a 12-point lead over 2023 Super DIRTcar Series Rookie of the Year Felix Roy.
However, Willix aims to better his 20th-place finish in last year’s stop at Albany-Saratoga.
Roy, meanwhile, finished seventh in the track’s Series debut in 2023 and backed it up with a runner-up finish in Super DIRTcar Series competition the next night.
Willix is searching for his third career Series victory, while Roy is looking for his first.
Mat is Money: Despite the Series making its debut at the track last year, Mat Williamson has made a habit of visiting Victory Lane on the Friday night portion of Malta Massive Weekend.
The St. Catharines, ON driver has won two of the last three 358 Features at the fall event and already has a Super DIRTcar Series win at the track in 2024.
The reigning Series champion aims for his 15th Series win and first since his Salute to the Troops 150 triumph at Super DIRT Week.
A Massive Threat: For the first time since Lyle Devore took the promotional reigns at Albany-Saratoga in 2012, the track crowned a DIRTcar 358 Modified champion.
Those honors went to Marc Johnson, who’s building momentum after two Big Block Modified wins in the track’s last three Features.
Matt Delorenzo, Mike Mahaney, and Ronnie Johnson also scored wins in the six-race mini-series.
Of those four drivers, Mahaney is the only one with a Series start in 2024, crossing the line fourth at Glen Ridge.
2024 DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Schedule
Sunday, June 2/Glen Ridge Motorsports Park/Lance Willix
Sunday, July 7/Weedsport Speedway/ Jimmy Phelps
Friday, Sept. 20, Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Tuesday, Oct. 8, Brewerton Speedway
Friday, Oct. 11, Super DIRT Week 52 at Oswego Speedway
Saturday, Oct. 19, Brockville Ontario Speedway
For more on the DIRTcar Northeast, follow the DIRTcar Facebook page and the Series’ X/(Twitter) page.
