GLENVILLE, NY – Tim Hartman Jr. is no stranger to JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA racing presented by Elmo’s Speed Supply. In two seasons he earned status as notable mention then series regular, which in his first full-time effort he earned the Capital District Crown punching his ticket to title town. With a winning lineage and his own drive to succeed, TH2 has emerged one of the best Sportsman Modified racers on dirt.
Hartman leads all drivers with four CDRA wins, while also being one of the most decorated competitors on tour. He’s earned a championship award, driver of the year award, and an honorable mention award. But leading all-time win lists and earning championships is not new for big time little Tim but setting a good example for his children to be proud of is unchartered waters.
Recently CDRA had a chance to catch up with the champ to talk all things racing, his decade of winning with car owner Mike Parillo, his appreciation of a good steak and wild cherry Pepsi, and what’s next in his racing career.
CDRA: Tim, all you needed was a pair of races at the ridge added to your schedule and you were a series regular. A place you’re familiar with and won races at. You did that in 2025, and here we are today talking about your series title.
TH2: Yeah our first year with CDRA was great. I had paid attention to the series in 2024, but wasn’t in position to run all the races. So, in 2025, we made a conscious decision to commit full-time, because we only had to add those two Glen Ridge races. Given that was previously a home track for me, we were looking forward to getting back there and seeing how good we would be.
CDRA: It did look like you were competitive at both races there for not racing the ridge in quite some time too.
TH2: We did have competitive cars in each race and could’ve maybe put up another win or two, but to earn the series title was awesome. Especially with the point funds payout, which was almost more than I’ve ever earned with another series or track title. We will definitely be back to support the series in 2026.
CDRA: Speaking of adding wins to your resume, last summer you won a big one with Mr. Crate Track USA at Lebanon Valley. In victory lane we all found out that it was your 100th win with car owner Mike Parillo. Knowing some of the talent he’s fielded cars for, that has to feel good what you guys have been able to accomplish together?
TH2: Winning 100 features with Mike Parillo as car owner is unbelievable. Funny enough, our journey didn’t start out so well. Back in 2015 we decided to race McDonald’s weekend, and I didn’t even finish practice before I was upside down with a destroyed racecar. Fortunately he didn’t kick me out of the seat right then.
CDRA: Safe to say you’re glad he came back to you to run it back?
TH2: Yes for sure. I honestly never thought I’d be able to say I accomplished 100 wins. I couldn’t have accomplished so much without his support. The success we’ve had together over the past decade is incredible. We’ve been able to park it in victory lane at 10 different racetracks together as a team, and we’ve earned 13 different track and/or series championships.
CDRA: You were doing well with the family-owned operation, but MRP took your career to a new level. Therefore, you must have noticed a tremendous amount of growth as a racer from early days to where you are now right?
TH2: I would say so. I remember back when I started in a Sportsman car as a 16-year-old kid. Which was young at that time, hell now at age 16 is like a kid’s fifth year racing. But I was pretty anxious to be racing against the same guys my dad raced. That subsided quickly, because we came out of the box swinging with a second-place finish in my first race ever and now I’m an old man in the division.
CDRA: That how you view yourself these days? Sort of the seasoned veteran, or the wily old racer?
TH2: Kind of. I often have younger drivers seek me out at the track or during the week to ask questions or advice. I’m always happy to answer them, because I was young once in their shoes and it meant a lot when a veteran driver took time to talk with me. It showed respect as fellow drivers. So, now I try to do that for them.
CDRA: Admirable. Very. So, winning a championship first year on tour sets the bar pretty high. How do you plan to raise the stakes? To set the bar higher sort of speak?
TH2: Well, the goal is always to win. Every time we touch the track, and doesn’t matter if it’s practice, heat races, consolations, or features…I want to win. Also goes for championships. The day my goals no longer include winning races and championships, is the day I quit racing. So, I guess the real question is what are my expectations? And my answer is to show up ready to race, and unload a competitive racecar.
CDRA: Ever think at your level of competitiveness a clean sweep is possible?
TH2: Well, I’m realistic. I understand no one wins every week, but at this point in my career anything less than racing for wins and championships isn’t good enough. Come September 2026, I plan on being in the title hunt again at both tracks and with the series.
CDRA: The confidence is astounding. And rightfully so, look at your accomplishments. But, when you want to dial it back, what does Tim Hartman Jr. do when he’s not chasing trophies and titles?
TH2: Racing and work consume pretty much most of my time. I do however like to focus on the kids go-karts. We have to get them ready for the car show at Colonie Center in March. So, even in the off season I’m in the garage. But, honestly, it’s totally worth it to see my kids getting into it and I love the fact they enjoy doing something I enjoy doing.
CDRA: Future generations of Hartman racers has a legacy ring to it doesn’t it? How are the kids doing so far?
TH2: Brexley is starting to come into her own as a solid little driver. I think she’s up to 13 or so wins over the last two summers. And considering she’s so competitive, I expect she’ll get even better. Now Jaxon grew up as a non-racer until last year when he wanted to try. And I think he found his niche. He has a combination of natural ability and fearlessness that wins races. And they combine that with a massive drive to learn. Those things can lead to a lot of success in the future.
CDRA: Who are a few young drivers you got your eye on that you race with?
TH2: At Malta where we race weekly, I think of the Crane’s and Craig Wholey. I believe they have the ability to win many more races, I just hope I’m retired by then. At Lebanon Valley where we race Saturdays weekly I’m a big fan of Owen Lewis. The kid is still in his teens, works harder than 95% of his peers, and he likes to learn. He’ll ask questions and actively listen to the answer. I would like to see him win.
CDRA: All good stuff. Quality Timmy Time well spent. Let’s wrap it up with some people who have influenced, motivated, and supported your racing career. Bet you’re starting with the other champ in the family or are we wrong?
TH2: Obviously my father is number one on the influence list. I wouldn’t be doing any of this without him. As we’ve navigated through 17 years of racing we’ve both taken on ever-evolving roles. In the beginning of my career dad did everything including owning our cars. Once Mike gave us the opportunity to drive for him, dad took on the role of an awesome crew chief. Plus, his full-time job is maintaining racecars. He leaves the set-up stuff to me. Definitely he’s been my biggest supporter since day one.
CDRA: Parillo praise coming in hot?
TH2: You know it. I already touched on it, but seriously Mike Parillo’s confidence in me as a driver and us as a team has been a huge influence on me. I must say, I’m a multi-time champion because of him. He put his trust in me and gave me everything we needed to perform at a high-level winning races. And he did that without even really knowing much about who I was at that time. I knew he was as driven as I was based on the success he had with other drivers before I came along. He’s a future hall-of-fame car owner and I’m proud to be associated with him.
CDRA: Let’s pretend it’s the white flag lap. The dub is just around 4 more corners. Who inspired you to get to victory lane?
TH2: Well, as I enter the next phase of my racing career I strive to be a racer Brexley and Jaxon can be proud of on and off track. I want them to be proud to tell people, that’s my dad. He wins and he’s good at what he does and he’s a good person. And that has a 360 effect too. We three are super competitive, so I push them to learn and win while they push me to evolve and win more. The kids make the hard work worth it. I honestly couldn’t imagine having it any other way.
One of the biggest oxymorons in racing is the age-old debate whether you do or you don’t like a driver that wins a lot. Because in one breath race fans mutter so-and-so wins too much, and in the other breath they cheer for their favorite to win often. Or as some would say, too much. Big Time Little Tim is going to keep winning. And he has a skillset that will earn him many more accolades.
UP NEXT FOR CDRA: Next order of business for CDRA racing is the highly anticipated schedule drop with all six points paying event dates for Season Three in the summer of 2026.
CDRA is a nostalgic throwback to CVRA days. Each season consists of a diverse schedule based around storied dirt tracks in the Capitaland such as Albany-Saratoga, Lebanon Valley, and Glen Ridge. Drivers who participate have the opportunity to earn hardware and monetary rewards 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.
Official Primary CDRA Marketing Partners For 2026 include: Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, JAM Performance & Consulting, and Elmo’s Speed Supply.
Official Associate CDRA Partners For 2026 Include: Hazilla Brands, SD Marketing and Designs LLC, Herrington Farms LLC, J-Tees Screen Printing, Bill McGaffin Photo, Jann McGaffin Photography, Showstopper Designs & Photography, Stone’s Pharmacy, Race City Roll-Offs, TC Creations, and Final Reward Trophies.
Official Affiliate CDRA Partners For 2026 Include: DIRTcar Racing, Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, GM Performance 602 Crate Engines, Fox Racing Shocks, Beyea Custom Headers, Mad Skins Race Car Bodies, and Post Time Photography.
Official Media | Social Partners For 2026 Include: Area Auto Racing News, My Race Pass, DIRTvision, DTDtv, Race Pro Weekly, Dirt Track Digest, Race New York, and RPM-Race Pro Media.
Official CDRA Point Paying Event Titles For 2026 Include: Spring Shootout (ALB), Great Crate Classic – Malta Massive Weekend (ALB), Flying Trowel 32 (ALB), Montgomery County Brawl (GRMP), Rumble At The Ridge (GRMP), Mr. Crate Track USA (LVS), and Freedom & Fireworks (LVS).
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.
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