Lehner hopes big win leads to more

They say things happen in threes — Jack Lehner hopes that is true.

On Friday, Lehner did what all modified drivers want to do in the Capital District racing circles — win at the highly rated Albany-saratoga Speedway.

The win was the 22 year-old’s first career modified win at the track.

“It was really good,” said Lehner about the win. “To win at that place — it was awesome. We have been going good for the past couple of weeks and we would either start in the back or we had some small issues, but everything finally came together.”

He knows what he did was big. The field is jammed-packed with talent.

“There are a lot of good cars there and a lot of depth in the field,” Lehner said.

“Not only do you have a lot of Series (Super DIRTCAR Modified Series) regulars that are really good, and you also have your ‘Malta only’ guys that get around that place real well. There are probably 10 to 15 different cars that can win there every night, so you really have to be on your ‘A’ game there.”

Lehner, who’s been labeled “one to watch,” is living his dream — he is racing as much as he can, wherever he can, and it’s showing.

A month ago he picked up his first career modified win at Fonda Speedway. That win was really special.

“That car (Erik Nelson’s) has been running really well all year and it was super cool, not only for myself but for those guys too,” said Lehner who holds a special feel for the “Track of Champions.”

“I got my start at Fonda Speedway and always grew up around there, being in that area with our family business so that was a real special night.”

He was really looking forward to promoter Lyle Devore’s Super DIRTCAR Modified Series event that was slated for Tuesday but was postponed at noon due to rainy skies.

“I’m looking forward to that race because we haven’t really gone to a track (with the Series) that I run at so that will be the test to see how we stack up at our home track,” Lehner said. “We are a lot more confident with the car and I’m a lot more confident with myself — now we’ve just got to put all the pieces together.” Again, they say things happen in threes. It was his first at Fonda Speedway, and his first at Albany-saratoga Speedway, so what track would Lehner like the third “first” to come from?

“Super DIRT Week at Oswego would be a huge one,” Lehner said. “Or Charlotte would be huge — any win on the Super DIRTCAR Series would do it for us.”

Dad’s day

Modified sensation Kenny Tremont can’t remember a Father’s Day that he didn’t have to race since he started racing back in the ’70s. There may have been a few, but so seldom that he can’t remember taking time to celebrate his dad title.

This season Tremont’s Sunday racing joint, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, switched from a Sunday racing format to running on Saturdays instead.

So what did Tremont do?

“We worked on race cars,” Tremont said with a laugh. “It was good though, we got up and got going as far as getting cars washed and put away so that left the afternoon free. There was some freedom but there is always race car work to do.”

Tremont and his dad, the very popular “Big Ken,” watched the NASCAR race together.

Clark cleared

Fonda Speedway reported on Tuesday that after Cody Clark’s sportsman win on Saturday a protest was filed by another team about Clark’s engine.

The engine was pulled and brought to a machine shop (Hunt’s Machine) and after an extensive inspection (with both teams in attendance) the engine was found to be in compliance.

Clark’s win stands at the “Track of Champions.”

It’s a date

The Northeast Stock Car Old Timer’s (NESCOT) group will be playing host to steak and chicken bake on Sunday, Aug. 22, at Nassau Sportsman Club.

This annual event offers great racing stories, great food, door prizes, vintage race cars and music. Tickets are $45 (steak) and $40 (chicken). Contact Richard Carpinello at 518-477-8352 for tickets.

Mark your calendars

On Thursday, July 1, Orange County Fair Speedway will present the Freedom 50’s.

It will be the sixth event for the bigblock modified cars at the Middletown oval. Dual 50-lap modified features will highlight the mid-week event.

The USAC East Coast Wingless Sprint Cars will also be part of the show.