FULTONVILLE, NY – Rumble At The Ridge didn’t disappoint, as an instant classic broke out between Gavin Eisele and Tavien Blowers in the 40-lap CDRA points paying race that also began the DIRTcar Sportsman Championship series. Eisele went on to claim the victory with Blowers the runner up.
If luck picked a driver to partner with Sunday night at the fastest quarter mile on dirt, Gavin Eisele was the guy. Per his own admission he wasn’t good to start the night. After his heat another driver was DQ’d for a spoiler, which moved Eisele to a redraw spot. The very last redraw spot, and without even picking a chip he was generously left the pole position to defend his race win from a year ago.
Lafargeville, NY racer Gavin Eisele with his Performance Automotive number 18e was joined by Alexandria, ON racer Tristian Ladouceur driving his Thompson Motorsports 92t and the pair led the 27-car field to the green, with Eisele taking the early race lead.
Behind Eisele, DIRTcar’s best were indeed rumbling, with Capital District hot shoes for position early in the feature event. Kingston, ON racer Jessica Power driving her Greenshield Pest Control 52 found herself battling with DIRTcar East Region champion and Capitaland top gun Zach Buff with his West End Towing & Repair 01.
Buff’s early race promise went sour fast, as he was the reason for the 40-lap event’s only caution after something went amiss causing him to slow and stop on lap seven. That would tighten the field up for a restart that would change the game.
On the restart the aforementioned Power was left to fend off the hard charging Caroga Lake, NY young gun Tavien Blowers with his O’Connor Trucking 43. He wasn’t alone as another Capital District talented racer Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald from Gansevoort, NY with his S&S Mobile RV Repair 88 was mixing it up with DIRTcar regular Tyler Corcoran of Central Square, NY.
By the midpoint of the event Eisele had reached lap traffic, which would play a factor in the outcome of the race. Blowers was hounding Ladouceur in traffic, until making his move to take second from him on lap 25. That set up a battle for the lead with Blowers tracking Eisele through traffic.
On lap 33, there was almost a Cinderella story. Tavien Blowers, who had been following Gavin Eisele through traffic, saw an opening and took the lead. He’d lead exactly three laps until Eisele took the lead back and claimed victory. Solid run for second by Blowers and Ladouceur would finish third.
Behind the lead trio, Capital District top wheelman Tim Hartman Jr. out of Glenville, NY worked his way from 10th to finish fourth when the checkered dropped with his Kick Fly’s Quality Hemp Products number 22. He was followed by Jessica Power who finished fifth, her best career effort at Glen Ridge to date.
Rounding out the top ten finishers were Central Square, NY racer Tyler Corcoran, Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald of Gansevoort, NY, Taylor Wason of Middlegrove, NY, Cornwall, ON racer Shane Pecore, and Fulton, NY racer Richard Murtaugh III.
“It’s pretty cool to get this car out and go to victory lane the first race with it,” Eisele said in victory lane. He continued saying, “I felt good. It’s just tough with the lap cars. Tavien passed me on the bottom, and then I knew where I needed to be. Once I got back by him, I knew I wasn’t leaving the bottom.”
CDRA series regular Tavien Blowers was excited about his performance in the runner up spot saying, “I don’t know if we could’ve been much better. Gavin is a little better at navigating traffic. We don’t normally run with a lot of lap cars. But this is the most fun I’ve had in a racecar.”
DIRTcar series regular Tristian Ladouceur rounded out the podium and said, “We had a really great car tonight. I just made a couple mistakes in lap traffic.”
NOTES: With his exciting second place finish in the CDRA Rumble At The Ridge, Tavien Blowers now has a pair of runner up finishes to his credit in points paying races. Last season he was 10th in overall standings and this year he’s on track to improve on that substantially. ‘Mikey Waggs’ aka Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald finished solidly in 7th in the Rumble. Waggs has established himself as a title contender in Season Two. Finally, Derrick McGrew Jr. finished 12th Sunday at The Ridge, but it’s his 3rd place standing in current CDRA points that will turn a few heads.
TITLE WATCH: Tim Hartman Jr. has emerged as the clear-cut point leader after Chris Jakubiak surrendered the top spot by missing the Ridge Rumble. Hartman will hold a 25-point lead heading back to Glen Ridge Sunday August 10th for another points paying series race. Defending CDRA champion Taylor Wason is back in the title conversation after another top ten finish. He took the checkered flag 8th in Rumble At The Ridge, which has officially moved him to second in points. Derrick McGrew Jr., Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald, Zach Buff, and Tavien Blowers are all within striking distance of the top spot with three points paying races left in CDRA Season Two.
UP NEXT FOR CDRA: The series returns to Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Sunday August 10th for the Montgomery County Brawl, which was originally scheduled for June 1st. It marks the second of back-to-back points paying races at the fastest quarter mile on dirt.
CDRA is a nostalgic throwback to the CVRA days. A series designed specifically for Capital District racing. Season two schedule consists of a diverse schedule at storied dirt tracks like the great race place, the fastest quarter mile on dirt, and the valley of speed. Drivers who do travel the Capitaland will earn hardware and some green for their efforts.
For more information on CDRA visit http://www.cdraracing.com on the web. Fans and drivers can also find CDRA on Social Media at http://www.facebook.com/cdraracing. Be sure to save, like, and follothee faw.
Anyone interested in joining CDRA family of marketing partners can contact the series via website, phone, or e-mail.
08/03/25 JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA Racing Presented By Elmo’s Speed Supply | New Deal Used Cars | Ted’s Body Shop | Next Generation Graphix | DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Rumble At The Ridge Sportsman Modified A-Main Results (40 Laps): 1. 18E-Gavin Eisele[1]; 2. 43-Tavien Blowers[6]; 3. 92T-Tristan Ladouceur[2]; 4. 22-Tim Hartman Jr[10]; 5. 52P-Jessica Power[3]; 6. 64-Tyler Corcoran[8]; 7. 88-Michael Wagner Fitzgerald[5]; 8. 07-Taylor Wason[14]; 9. 0S-Shane Pecore[7]; 10. 33-Richard Murtaugh[12]; 11. 4-Emmett Waldron[11]; 12. 26-Derrick McGrew Jr[13]; 13. FOX28-Tyler Stevenson[9]; 14. RB21-Ryan Barrett[15]; 15. 0-Tony Finch II[16]; 16. 10X-Cory Castell[24]; 17. 78JR-Nigel Pendykoski[21]; 18. 916-Nick Brundige[20]; 19. 6-Cody Manitta[17]; 20. 01-Zach Buff[4]; 21. 14-Camdin Cook[18]; 22. 16X-Savannah Laflair[23]; 23. 311-Zachary Graham[19]; 24. 10-Trevor Houghton[22]; 25. 5EJ-EJ Gallup[25]; 26. 14W-Tim Wilmont[26]; 27. (DNS) 67W-Zack Welch.
J-Tees Screen Printing Fast Timer: Tyler Stevenson. (13.935)
Big Red One Hard Charger: Tim Hartman Jr. (10th to 4th)
Lap Leaders: Gavin Eisele (1-33), Tavien Blowers (34-36), Gavin Eisele (37-40)
Newcomer of the Race: Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald (7th)
Outstanding Performance: Taylor Wason (8th)
Who Finished Fifth: Jessica Power
08/03/25 JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA Racing Presented By Elmo’s Speed Supply | New Deal Used Cars | Ted’s Body Shop | Next Generation Graphix | DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Rumble At The Ridge Sportsman Modified Heat Race #1 Results (8 Laps): 1. FOX28-Tyler Stevenson[1]; 2. 64-Tyler Corcoran[2]; 3. 52P-Jessica Power[4]; 4. 22-Tim Hartman Jr[3]; 5. 26-Derrick McGrew Jr[5]; 6. 0-Tony Finch II[6]; 7. 311-Zachary Graham[7]; 8. 10X-Cory Castell[9]; 9. 5EJ-EJ Gallup[8].
08/03/25 JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA Racing Presented By Elmo’s Speed Supply | New Deal Used Cars | Ted’s Body Shop | Next Generation Graphix | DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Rumble At The Ridge Sportsman Modified Heat Race #2 Results (8 Laps): 1. 43-Tavien Blowers[1]; 2. 88-Michael Wagner Fitzgerald[2]; 3. 92T-Tristan Ladouceur[4]; 4. 4-Emmett Waldron[3]; 5. 07-Taylor Wason[6]; 6. 6-Cody Manitta[5]; 7. 916-Nick Brundige[9]; 8. 16X-Savannah Laflair[7]; 9. 14W-Tim Wilmont[8].
08/03/25 JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA Racing Presented By Elmo’s Speed Supply | New Deal Used Cars | Ted’s Body Shop | Next Generation Graphix | DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Rumble At The Ridge Sportsman Modified Heat Race #3 Results (8 Laps): 1. 01-Zach Buff[2]; 2. 0S-Shane Pecore[3]; 3. 18E-Gavin Eisele[9]; 4. 33-Richard Murtaugh[5]; 5. RB21-Ryan Barrett[6]; 6. 14-Camdin Cook[8]; 7. 78JR-Nigel Pendykoski[4]; 8. 10-Trevor Houghton[7]; 9. (DQ) 67W-Zack Welch[1].
08/03/25 JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA Racing Presented By Elmo’s Speed Supply | New Deal Used Cars | Ted’s Body Shop | Next Generation Graphix | DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Rumble At The Ridge Sportsman Modified Time Trial Group 1 Results (2 Laps): 1. FOX28-Tyler Stevenson, 00:13.935[7]; 2. 64-Tyler Corcoran, 00:13.946[9]; 3. 22-Tim Hartman Jr, 00:14.055[4]; 4. 52P-Jessica Power, 00:14.056[3]; 5. 26-Derrick Mcgrew Jr, 00:14.058[2]; 6. 0-Tony Finch II, 00:14.082[5]; 7. 311-Zachary Graham, 00:14.187[6]; 8. 5EJ-EJ Gallup, 00:14.304[1]; 9. 10X-Cory Castell, 00:14.371[8]
08/03/25 JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA Racing Presented By Elmo’s Speed Supply | New Deal Used Cars | Ted’s Body Shop | Next Generation Graphix | DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Rumble At The Ridge Sportsman Modified Time Trial Group 2 Results (2 Laps): 1. 43-Tavien Blowers, 00:14.153[3]; 2. 88-Michael Wagner Fitzgerald, 00:14.199[8]; 3. 4-Emmett Waldron, 00:14.207[4]; 4. 92T-Tristan Ladouceur, 00:14.268[6]; 5. 6-Cody Manitta, 00:14.273[9]; 6. 07-Taylor Wason, 00:14.318[2]; 7. 916-Nick Brundige, 00:14.330[7]; 8. 16X-Savannah Laflair, 00:14.377[5]; 9. 14W-Tim Wilmont, 00:14.504[1]
08/03/25 JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA Racing Presented By Elmo’s Speed Supply | New Deal Used Cars | Ted’s Body Shop | Next Generation Graphix | DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Rumble At The Ridge Sportsman Modified Time Trial Group 3 Results (2 Laps): 1. 67W-Zack Welch, 00:14.096[8]; 2. 01-Zach Buff, 00:14.203[4]; 3. 0S-Shane Pecore, 00:14.279[7]; 4. 18E-Gavin Eisele, 00:14.312[2]; 5. 78JR-Nigel Pendykoski, 00:14.326[1]; 6. 33-Richard Murtaugh, 00:14.374[3]; 7. RB21-Ryan Barrett, 00:14.380[9]; 8. 10-Trevor Houghton, 00:14.425[6]; 9. 14-Camdin Cook, 00:14.573[5]
2025 CDRA POINT RACE SCHEDULE
04/18/25 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway ✔
07/25/25 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway ✔
06/01/25 – Glen Ridge Motorsports Park ✔
08/03/25 – Glen Ridge Motorsports Park
08/28/25 – Lebanon Valley Speedway
09/19/25 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Official Primary CDRA Marketing Partners For 2025 include: Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, JAM Performance, Elmo’s Speed Supply.
Official Associate CDRA Partners For 2025 Include: Fox Racing Shox, SD Marketing and Designs LLC, Herrington Farms LLC, J-Tees Screen Printing, McGaffin Family Photography, and Final Reward Trophies.
Official Affiliate CDRA Partners For 2025 Include: DIRTcar Racing, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, GM Performance 602 Crate Engines, Mad Skins Race Car Bodies, Cordova Plumbing & Heating, Bart Contracting, Hayes Trucking & Excavating, New Deals Used Cars, Joe Wilkinson & Sons Excavating, County Waste, and Doug Wholey Ideal Excavation.
Official Media | Social Partners For 2025 Include: Area Auto Racing News, Hazilla Brands, My Race Pass, DIRTvision, DTDtv, Race Pro Weekly, Dirt Track Digest, Race New York, Doug’s Dirt Diary.
Official CDRA Race Titles For 2025 Include: Sportsman Modified Spring Showdown (ALB), Montgomery County Brawl (GRMP), Flying Trowel 32 (ALB), Rumble At The Ridge (GRMP), Mr. Crate Track USA (LVS), and Great Crate Classic – Malta Massive Weekend (ALB).
Information shared about partners in Capital District Racing Association is obtained via website, social media, and/or track press. Info included but not limited to winner’s share, formats, laps, sponsors, or schedule dates are subject to change.
For the latest news, results, point standings, and more about the CDRA Series presented by JAM Performance and Elmo’s Speed Supply, please visit http://www.cdraracing.com.
CDRA 