FONDA, NY – When Capital District tracks Albany-Saratoga, Glen Ridge, and Lebanon Valley roar to life this spring part of their racing season will include points paying events on the road to crown the 2026 JAM Performance CDRA racing series points champion presented by Elmo’s Speed Supply.
With only six points paying events each summer, every lap of every race matters. In Season Three (2026) something new to the points structure makes one third of the aforementioned six races worth ‘crown jewel’ points where two races offer drivers an opportunity to score more points.
Starting and ending the CDRA points season at the great race place Albany-Saratoga Speedway was something late track promoter Lyle DeVore enjoyed. Throw in a tribute to his father Stan Da’ Man and drivers have a trio of action-packed races on a high speed 4/10-mile dirt track gem located in Malta, NY.
On April 17, 2026, CDRA kicks off the points chase during Albany-Saratoga’s 61st season opening celebration. The early race at Malta has been titled Spring Shootout, which Chris Jakubiak won in 2025. In 2024 there were twin Spring Shootout features won by Tim Hartman Jr. and Chris Crane Jr.
The second points paying event for CDRA racers at Albany-Saratoga takes place during Stan Da’ Man night with the Flying Trowel 32 on July 24, 2026. Last season marked the first time a third PPE was added to the schedule from the great race place, and it was won by a red-hot Tim Hartman Jr.
Malta Massive weekend is a big one on the schedule for Capital District Sportsman Modified racers. These drivers want that race winning belt. It serves as the Great Crate Classic, which is a CDRA points paying event. It also features the DIRTcar Sportsman Championship series points event.
The Great Crate Classic, preceded by the Northeast Crate Nationals at Albany-Saratoga, will for the first time be a ‘Crown Jewel’ points paying event on September 25, 2026. Simply put, regular series races are 100 for a win, 97 for second, down by one to last. Crown Jewel events are 200 for a win, 197 for second, down by one.
Speaking of ‘Crown Jewel’ points paying events, the only other on the 2026 CDRA racing schedule happens early and it’s a popular one among drivers. On June 16, 2026, on the high banks in the valley of speed, Lebanon Valley Speedway has Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds in town which means Mr. Crate Track USA is in order.
Mr. Crate Track USA is a play on words off the main event for the Super DIRTcar Series Mr. Dirt Track event. There wasn’t a more perfect way to support such a big event, especially with it being earlier in the season for 2026. It will be a ‘Crown Jewel’ points paying event for CDRA Sportsman Modifieds.
It was previously won by Tim Hartman Jr. in 2025, however other winners do include Rob Maxon (2018), Michael Sabia (2017), Scott Duell (2016), and Michael Sabia (2015).
Each track plays a pivotal part in challenging drivers who want to earn a CDRA championship, and Glen Ridge Motorsports Park fits in perfectly. Albany-Saratoga has high speeds while racing like a short track, Lebanon Valley is a wide-open high bank adrenaline rush, and the Ridge is an elbows up reaction challenging madhouse of a quarter mile.
Glen Ridge is the race place drivers grind out their best finishes to increase their chances at a points championship. First visit to the fastest quarter mile on dirt is July 5, 2026, for the Montgomery County Brawl, which is also part of the DIRTcar Sportsman East Region for points. Previous winners of this event include Taylor Wason (2025) and Cody Ochs (2024).
CDRA returns to the ridge on August 9, 2026, for a second visit during the summer with the annual Rumble At The Ridge points paying event. This race will also serve as a DIRTcar Sportsman points event. Previous winners of the Rumble include Gavin Eisele (2025) and Zach Buff (2024).
“This year is going to be exciting. We have a great crop of drivers who are going to chase,” began CDRA competition director Rob Hazer.
He continued, “It’s going to feel a little different without Lyle DeVore’s guidance. He was a friend, a mentor, and a titan in this sport. But I can promise you, his legacy is in good hands with Marcy, Mia, and Pete making sure his vision comes to light.”
“I want to thank Marcy, Pete, and Mia from Albany-Saratoga. They’re going through a difficult transition without the bossman, but they’re doing it fabulously. I must thank Ron at Lebanon Valley also for keeping us in mind on the high banks, and Alicia and Ray at Glen Ridge. We’re all working together to put something on for racers,” Hazer spoke candidly.
He concluded by saying, “We’ll be releasing the new name of our championship trophy. It’ll be something that captures and embodies what Lyle stood for. That was important for me to do in his honor, and I owe Marcy a heartfelt thank you for allowing me to do that for the bossman.”
UP NEXT FOR CDRA: The season starts April 17, 2026 at Albany-Saratoga Speedway for CDRA racers. 25 laps for $1,300 to win on Malta’s 61st season opener. Before that, it’s car show season.
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 or Twitter/X at http://www.x.com/cdraracing. Be sure to save, like, and follow.
Anyone interested in joining CDRA family of marketing partners can contact the series via website, phone, or e-mail.
2026 CDRA POINTS PAYING EVENTS
04/17/26 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway | Spring Shootout w/SDS Big Block Tour
06/16/26 – Lebanon Valley Speedway | Mr. Crate Track USA w/SDS Big Block Tour
07/05/26 – Glen Ridge Motorsports Park | Montgomery County Brawl w/DIRTcar Sportsman Series
07/24/26 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway | Flying Trowel 32 w/Stan Da’ Man Night
08/09/26 – Glen Ridge Motorsports Park | Rumble At The Ridge w/DIRTcar Sportsman Series
09/25/26 – Albany-Saratoga Speedway | Great Crate Classic w/SDS 358 Modified & DIRTcar Sportsman On Malta Massive Weekend
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, 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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