The top Pro Stock drivers in the Northeast are ready to battle for the first time in 2025, as the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series kicks off its season at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.
A $1,000 prize is on the line on Friday, May 23, in a 30-lap Feature. It’s the first of two stops at Albany-Saratoga in 2025, with the second in September as part of the Malta Massive Weekend with the Super DIRTcar Series.
Joining the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series at the “Great Race Place” on Friday are the DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman, Street Stocks, Limited Sportsman, and 4 Cylinders.
For more on the DIRTcar Northeast, follow the DIRTcar Facebook page and the Series’ X/(Twitter) page.
Here is a look at the key storylines to watch at Albany-Saratoga:
Chasing History: Pete Stefanski earned his fifth DIRTcar Pro Stock Series championship last season. And so far in 2025, he’s shown no signs of stopping at five.
The North Tonawanda, NY driver has won three straight Features at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, including last Friday when he earned his 101st DIRTcar Pro Stock Feature victory, tying Joey Ladouceur for the most all-time.
If Stefanski can reach Victory Lane for a fourth time on Friday, it’ll be his 28th Series win, and 102nd overall, becoming the most accomplished driver in DIRTcar Pro Stock history.
Beau and Luke: Beau Ballard and Luke Horning are two drivers aiming to challenge Stefanski for the 2025 championship.
Ballard ended 2024 with momentum, winning three of the final four points-paying events of the season, including the DIRTcar Pro Stock 50 during Super DIRT Week. The Stamford, NY driver narrowly missed out on a championship last year, losing to Stefanski by eight points. He’s already earned a win this season, beating Stefanski on opening night at Albany-Saratoga.
Beau Ballard celebrates his win during Malta Massive Weekend/Joe Grabianowski
Luke Horning, the 2023 Series champion, aims for his second title in 2025. The Gloversville, NY driver also ended 2024 with momentum, earning a victory at Fulton Speedway during the Outlaw 200 weekend. “Cousin’ Luke” has seven career Series victories, including a win at Albany-Saratoga in 2023.
O’Canada: With Canadian tracks returning to the schedule in 2025, there are three drivers to watch who are aiming for the championship.
Denis Gauvreau enters the weekend with momentum after a World Short Track Championship win at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in November and an opening night win at Cornwall two weeks ago. The Gatineau, QC driver has three career Series victories and aims for his first in New York since a win at Rolling Wheels Raceway in 2006.
Three-time Series champion Jocelyn Roy will also returns in 2025, after finishing third in last year’s standings. The Sainte-Helene, QC competitor had a top five and four top 10s in 2024 and aims for his first championship since 2018. Roy has four career Series wins, with his last coming at Autodrome Drummond seven years ago.
This year’s DIRTcar Pro Stock Series campaign will be the final year for veteran Pro Stock driver Marc Lalonde. The Plantagenet, ON, driver, who’s won track titles at Cornwall and Airborne Park Speedway, plans to retire at the end of the season but will make one more run at the Series championship. Lalonde has one Series victory, when he grabbed the checkered flag at Mohawk International Raceway in 2013.
Beware of the Malta Boys: While many drivers are battling for a Series title, a stout group of home-track regulars is aiming for the $1,000 prize on Friday.
Kim Duell and Brandon Emigh sit second and third behind Stefanski in the track’s points standings this season.
Emigh, from Ballston Spa, NY, is the defending winner of the Spring Series event at Albany-Saratoga and reached Victory Lane five times last season. Duell, meanwhile, is second on the track’s Pro Stock all-time wins list with 30 victories, trailing only five-time Super DIRT Week winner Rob Yetman. A win on Friday would be his first career Pro Stock Series win.
Other Albany-Saratoga regulars with Series victories are Chuck Dumblewski and Rich Crane.
2025 DIRTcar Pro Stock Series Schedule
Friday, May 23, Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Sunday, June 15, Cornwall Motor Speedway
Saturday, July 19, Autodrome Drummond
Monday, Aug. 18, Brewerton Speedway
Saturday, Aug. 23, Lebanon Valley Speedway
Sunday, Aug. 24, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park
Saturday, Sept. 13, Mohawk International Raceway
Saturday, Sept. 20, Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Saturday, Sept. 27, Land of Legends Raceway
Friday, Oct. 3, Fulton Speedway
Friday, Oct. 10, Oswego Speedway
Oct. 30-Nov. 1, The Dirt Track at Charlotte (Non-Points)
