The first fall stop of the 2026 season brings the Super DIRTcar Series back to where the championship battle began.

A “Shower of Big Block Power” heads to Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY, on Saturday, Sept. 26, for the annual Malta Massive Weekend. Drivers will battle in a 75-lap Feature paying $7,500-to-win.

Joining the Beasts of the Northeast at Albany-Saratoga on Saturday is the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series and the track’s Limited Sportsman division.

The weekend serves as a true Super DIRT Week preview, with Saturday’s action capping off a full weekend of racing that also features the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series and DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series on Friday, Sept. 25.

Where can you get tickets to Malta Massive Weekend? You can get them at the front gate at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

Where can you watch Saturday’s Super DIRTcar Series event? Watch every lap live on DIRTVision.

Here’s a look at what to watch for at Albany-Saratoga:

Rocketing Ahead: With seven races remaining on the 2026 Super DIRTcar Series schedule, points leader Alex Yankowski continues his charge toward his first championship.

After a runner-up finish at Can-Am Speedway two weeks ago, the Covington Township, PA driver holds a 98-point lead over defending champion Mat Williamson. Yankowski comes into Malta Massive Weekend as the only driver to finish in the top 10 of all 16 points-paying races this season, a streak that started at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in April.

“Kid Rocket” is searching for his fifth win of 2026, and ninth career Series victory, which would give him nine wins at nine different tracks.

Williamson, meanwhile, earned his lone points-paying victory of 2026 at Albany-Saratoga in April. The St. Catharines, ON driver has finished in the top 10 in seven straight Series starts at the Malta, NY oval, where he’s won on three occasions. 

The last time Williamson won the first race at Albany-Saratoga in 2024, he backed that up by winning during Malta Massive Weekend. A victory this weekend would be his 40th career Super DIRTcar Series triumph.

Sheppard’s Quest: The last time the Super DIRTcar Series visited Albany-Saratoga during Malta Massive Weekend, 10-time champion Matt Sheppard stood in Victory Lane, leading every lap.

In 2026, the Savannah, NY driver is searching for his first Series win of 2026, which is the latest he’s gone in a season without earning a victory since 2007. Not only is “Super Matt” searching for a victory, but he’s also aiming for a late-season charge to return to the podium in the Series standings. 

Sheppard enters the weekend sixth in points, but trails Jimmy Phelps by 10 points for fifth, Jack Lehner by 12 points for fourth, and Alex Payne by 48 points for third.

A win this weekend would be Sheppard’s 104th career Series victory.

The Last Home Game: Saturday’s trip to Albany-Saratoga Speedway marks the final time in 2026 that a few Series stars get to race at their home track.

Lehner leads the charge of the three Albany-Saratoga regulars who run the Series and has been the most consistent car over the past month, except for Yankowski. The Saratoga Springs, NY driver has finished in the top 10 in eight of his last 10 Series starts, including two podium finishes at Weedsport Speedway and Can-Am Speedway.

The “Ginga Ninja” won the regular season finale at the track on Labor Day weekend and finished fourth in the Series’ stop in April. 

Mike Mahaney, who finished second in the track’s points standings, also reached Victory Lane at Albany-Saratoga during the season and aims to get a Series win at a place he’s found success. Two of the Elizabethtown, NY driver’s three Series triumphs have come at the 3/8-mile oval. However, he hasn’t earned a Series win there since 2022.

Despite finishing behind both Mahaney and Lehner in points, Justin Stone had the most wins between the three of them at Albany-Saratoga in 2026. The Middlebury, VT driver scored three victories throughout the season and aims for his first career Series triumph this weekend. 

Stone’s best Series finish came during Malta Massive Weekend in 2023, when he crossed the line third.

The Malta Faithful: While Lehner, Mahaney, and Stone battled each other on Friday nights, they also dealt with a strong group of track regulars who want to end their season with a victory at home.

That starts with 2026 track champion Matt Delorenzo, who led the first half of the 61st Season Opener in April before ultimately finishing second to Williamson. The Cropseyville, NY driver earned his first win of the season last weekend and backed it up with 12 podiums in 17 starts.

Delorenzo has finished second twice in Series events at the track but is looking for his first Series win.

Another track regular who’s narrowly missed out on a Series win at home is the track’s 358 Modified champion and former Series regular, Marc Johnson. The Guilderland, NY driver earned four victories this season in a Big Block but finished fourth in this year’s track standings.

Series stars will also have to contend with a familiar face, the No. 21A of Peter Britten. The “Batman” scored three wins at the track this season but has yet to earn a Series win at his Friday night home. Britten, from Brisbane, QLD, has five top fives and 13 top 10s in 20 Series starts at Albany-Saratoga. 

A win on Saturday would be his sixth career Series victory.

WHEN AND WHERE
Albany-Saratoga Speedway (3/8-mile) in Malta, NY on Saturday, Sept. 26

TRACK RECORD
Albany-Saratoga Speedway: 15.277 set by Jimmy Phelps on Sept. 24, 2022

ONLINE
Albany-Saratoga Speedway: www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com

2026 Series Statistics

FEATURE WINNERS: (8 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Stewart Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON-7
2. Alex Yankowski, Covington Township, PA-4
3. Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-3
4. Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, NY-2
5. Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-1
   Tim Fuller, Edwards, NY-1
   Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-1
   Jackson Gill, Plessis, NY-1

HEAT RACE WINNERS (24 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-15
2. Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-8
3. Alex Yankowski- Covington Township, PA-5
4. Stewart Friesen, Niagara-On-the-Lake, ON-5
   Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, NY-5
5. Darren Smith, Binghamton, NY-4
   Peter Britten, Brisbane, QLD-4
   Matt Sheppard, Savannah, NY-4
6. Mike Mahaney, Elizabethtown, NY-3
   Felix Roy, Napierville, QC-3
   Jack Lehner, Saratoga Springs, NY-3
   Tim Fuller, Edwards, NY-3
7. Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY-2
   Michael Parent, Granby, QC-2
   Justin Stone, Middlebury, VT-2
   Tim Sears Jr., Hastings, NY-2
8. Matt Caprara, Clayton, NY-1
   Louden Reimert, Oley, PA-1
   Matt Delorenzo, Cropseyville, NY-1
   Demetrios Drellos, Queensbury, NY-1
   Brett Haas, Pittsfield, MA-1
   Marc Johnson, Guilderland, NY-1
   Mario Clair, St. Edmond, QC-1
   William Racine, St. Paul D’Abbotsford, QC-1

LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINNERS (27 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins

1. Rex King Jr., Bristolville, OH-3
2. Felix Roy, Napierville, QC-2
   Mike Trautschold, Roscoe, NY-2
   Ryan Krachun, Neshanic Station, NJ-2
   Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-2
   Tanner Van Doren, Schnecksville, PA-2
3. Eddie Strada, Lake Ariel, PA-1
   Matt Caprara, Clayton, NY-1
   Jack Lehner, Saratoga Springs, NY-1
   Matt Stangle, Neshanic Station, NJ-1
   J. Bunting, Milford, DE-1
   Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-1
   Jackson Gill, Plessis, NY-1
   Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY-1
   Chris Curtis, East Canaan, CT-1
   Anthony Perrego, Montgomery, NY-1
   Justin Cyr, Cornwall, ON-1
   Chris Raabe, Alexandira, ON-1
   Tim Sears Jr., Hastings, NY-1
   Tyler Dippel, Walkill, NY-1
   Logan Watt, Boyertown, PA-1
   Todd Root, Syracuse, NY-1
   Matt Sheppard, Savannah, NY-1
   Nick Root, Geneva, NY-1
   Justin Haers, Phelps, NY-1
   Mike Mahaney, Elizabethtown, NY-1
   Brett Tonkin, Carbondale, PA-1

PODIUM FINISHES (18 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums

1. Stewart Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON-11
2. Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-10
3. Alex Yankowski, Covington Township, PA-9
4. Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-7
5. Matt Sheppard, Savannah, NY-4
6. Jack Lehner, Saratoga Springs, NY-3
7. Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-2
   Felix Roy, Napierville, QC-2
   Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, NY- 2
8. Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY-1
   Matt Delorenzo, Cropseyville, NY-1
   Peter Britten, Brisbane, QLD-1
   Mike Mahaney, Elizabethtown, NY-1
   Tim Fuller, Edwards, NY-1
   Michael Parent, Granby, QC-1
   Ronnie Davis III, Memphis, NY-1
   Darren Smith, Binghamton, NY-1
   Tim Sears Jr., Hastings, NY-1
   Jackson Gill, Plessis, NY-1

HARD CHARGER (17 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.

1. Felix Roy, Napierville, QC-3
2. Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-2
3. Matt Sheppard, Savannah, NY-1
   Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, NY-1
   Justin Haers, Phelps, NY-1
   Jack Lehner, Saratoga Springs, NY-1
   Billy Pauch Jr., Frenchtown, NJ-1
   Tyler Dippel, Walkill, NY-1
   Stewart Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON-1
   Alex Yankowski, Covington Township, PA-1
   Ryan Krachun, Neshanic Station, NJ-1
   Adam Pierson, East Corinth, VT-1
   Mike Trautschold, Roscoe, NY-1
   Ronnie Davis III, Memphis, NY-1
   Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-1
   Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-1
   Jackson Gill, Plessis, NY-1

BILLY WHITAKER CARS AND TRUX QUICK TIMES (12 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs

1. Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-4
2. Felix Roy, Napierville, QC-2
   Alex Yankowski, Covington Township, PA-2
   Matt Sheppard, Savannah, NY-2
   Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-2
3. Duane Howard, Oley, PA-1
   Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, NY-1
   Tim Sears Jr., Hastings, NY-1
   Mike Mahaney, Elizabethtown, NY-1
   Michael Parent, Granby, QC-1
   Stewart Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON-1
   Peter Britten, Brisbane, QLD-1

JAM Performance Fastest Hot Lap Award (12 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QT

1. Justin Stone, Middlebury, VT-3
   Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-3
   Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, NY-3
2. Alex Yankowski, Covington Township, PA-2
   Jack Lehner, Saratoga Springs, NY-2
3. Stewart Friesen, Niagara-On-the-Lake, ON-1
   Peter Britten, Brisbane, QLD-1
   Alex Yankowski, Covington Township, PA-1
   Tanner Van Doren, Schnecksville, PA-1
   Andy Bachetti, Sheffield, MA-1
   Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-1
   Michael Parent, Granby, QC-1
   Erick Rudolph. Ransomville, NY-1

Super DIRTcar Series Lap Leaders (23 Drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Laps Led

1. Alex Yankowski, Covington Township, PA-264
2. Stewart Friesen, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON-243
3. Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, NY- 135
4. Mat Williamson, St. Catharines, ON-101
5. Alex Payne, Hopewell, NY-95
6. Tim Fuller, Edwards, NY-60
   Matt Sheppard, Savannah, NY-60
7. Larry Wight, Phoenix, NY-38
8. William Racine, St. Paul D’Abbotsford, QC-37
9. Tim Sears Jr., Hastings, NY-35
10. Matt Delorenzo, Cropseyville, NY-29
11. Mike Trautschold, Roscoe, NY-26
12. Peter Britten, Brisbane, QLD-25
13. Felix Roy, Napierville, QC-20
14. Marc Johnson, Guilderland, NY-19
15. Justin Stone, Middlebury, VT-17
16. Erick Rudoph, Ransomville, NY-16
17. Tanner Van Doren, Schneckville, PA-13
18. Jack Lehner, Saratoga Springs, NY-12
19. Kevin Hamel, Yamaska, QC-8
    Darren Smith, Binghamton, NY-8
20. Jackson Gill, Plessis, NY-6
21. Bobby Varin, Johnstown, NY-4

2026 Super DIRTcar Series Schedule and Winners

1. Wednesday, Feb. 11/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Stewart Friesen*
2. Thursday, Feb. 12/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Mat Williamson*
3. Friday, Feb. 13/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Mat Williamson (2)*
4. Saturday, Feb. 14/Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville, FL/Larry Wight*
5. Friday, April 17/Albany-Saratoga Speedway/Malta, NY/Mat Williamson (3)
6. Wednesday, May 13/Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, DE/Alex Yankowski
7. Sunday, May 17/Cornwall Motor Speedway/Long Sault, ON/Alex Yankowski (2)
8. Tuesday, June 16/Lebanon Valley Speedway/West Lebanon, NY/Stewart Friesen (2)
9. Tuesday, June 23/Ransomville Speedway/Ransomville, NY/Stewart Friesen (3)
10. Thursday, July 2/Land of Legends Raceway/Canandaigua, NY/Tim Fuller
11. Tuesday, July 7/Cornwall Motor Speedway/Long Sault, ON/Stewart Friesen (4)
12. Wednesday, July 8/Mohawk International Raceway/Akwesasne, NY/Jimmy Phelps
13. Monday, July 20, Autodrome Drummond/Drummondville, QC/Alex Yankowski (3)
14. Wednesday, July 22/Airborne Park Speedway/Plattsburgh, NY/Jimmy Phelps (2)
15. Sunday, August 16/Weedsport Speedway/Weedsport, NY/Stewart Friesen (5)
16. Monday, August 17/Brewerton Speedway/Central Square, NY/Alex Yankowski (4)
17. Tuesday, August 18/Land of Legends Raceway/Canandaigua, NY/Alex Payne
18. Wednesday, August 19/Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, NY/Stewart Friesen (6)
19. Sunday, September 6/Weedsport Speedway/Weedsport, NY/Stewart Friesen (7)
20. Saturday, September 12/Can-Am Speedway/LaFargeville, NY/Jackson Gill

*: Denotes Non-Points Paying Victory

This article was republished with permission from the Super DIRTcar Series. The original article can be found here: https://superdirtcarseries.com/dirtcar-ne/big-block-modifieds/super-dirt-car-series/what-to-watch-for-series-title-fight-enters-massive-weekend-at-albany-saratoga/

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