FONDA, NY – When spring rolls around and brisk mornings give way to summer sunrises, it means only one thing. From April to October in the Capital District, a new racing season will present multiple Sportsman Modified drivers an opportunity to earn hardware. One piece of hardware unquestionably to be coveted by drivers will soon be the L.D. Bossman Championship trophy.
Lyle DeVore was an inspirational titan in the dirt track racing community. His talents as race promoter were on display every weekend in the Capital District serving as General Manager at Lebanon Valey Speedway for many years, and his proudest accomplishment as track promoter at Albany-Saratoga Speedway for the past 14 seasons.
DeVore often went above and beyond the call of duty as promoter to forge relationships earning the respect of his peers, and mentoring those who were willing to listen. After all, what good is a wealth of knowledge if not shared with those fortunate enough to learn from a master of track promotion and preparation.
One of those fortunate individuals was CDRA founder and competition director Rob Hazer. After reaching out to DeVore back in 2013 to work on a project for the Sportsman Modified division through mutual friend and racer Scott Duell, the Northeast Crate Nationals became the first premiere event for the division in the area experiencing much success.
“My time knowing Lyle wasn’t as long as some, but to me it was just as valuable. I realized early on I had a lot to learn, and I got that vibe he was just the kind of no-nonsense guy who could teach me. If he liked the idea he’d say so, and if he didn’t think it was a good idea, he’d also say so. I like that kind of honesty and we clicked,” began CDRA competition director Rob Hazer.
From there DeVore encouraged and helped nurture multiple projects spearheaded by Hazer in the Capital District most notably the Nationals and King Of Dirt racing (KOD).
“The Nationals grew big. The year we hit 70 cars entered Lyle and I were really happy. And looking back his encouragement to launch KOD meant a lot. With his mentorship we grew that brand to something Capital District racers looked forward to, continued Rob Hazer.
He followed that by saying, “Sadly, I had to let it go as my health was fading at the end of the 2018 season and I was burnt out. But I did try to reacquire the brand prior to the 2026 season, as the brand just sits dormant currently. KOD means a lot to me. And in hindsight it meant a lot to Lyle as well. I’ll continue to see if we can reacquire it for the future.”
Lyle DeVore exhibited the passion and drive to succeed and his leadership as Albany-Saratoga Speedway promoter was rewarded with not one, but two National RPM Auto Racing Promoter Of The Year awards followed by his induction into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall Of Fame.
DeVore was a friend, mentor, and supporter of projects Rob Hazer brainstormed. CDRA included. It was set up vastly different than KOD, however achieved the same result. In a short time CDRA has created a buzz among Sportsman Modified racers in the Capital District, and part of that success belongs to the man whose name will adorn the championship hardware going forward.
Season Three of the JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA racing series presented by Elmo’s Speed Supply will feature the L.D. Bossman Championship trophy in honor of series friend and mentor Lyle DeVore.
“When Lyle passed back in December, it hit me hard as I’m sure it did many. Not only did he mentor me in the business of racing and promotion, but he was a friend. He visited me in the hospital before, always asked how I was doing, even asked how my family was doing,” said Rob Hazer.
He continued to elaborate saying, “Over the years there were some vulnerable moments he shared with me like when his father Stan passed, so we had Old No. 32 brand t-shirts for the Nationals one year and the Flying Trowel is a points paying race for CDRA. Beyond being a great promoter, he was a solid human being. I’ll miss him greatly.”
When the idea of naming the championship trophy came about, Rob Hazer began explaining by saying, “I wanted to do something that would honor him in the way Vince Lombardi was honored with his name on the NFL championship trophy. My nickname for him was ‘bossman’ and I called him that since I’ve known him. The LD is for his name.”
He concluded by saying, “I’m grateful for Marcy and Mia giving me their blessing to honor the ‘bossman’ in such a way. I hope he’s looking down, in peace, and proud knowing he touched many lives including mine. I know for sure, he’s proud of Marcy, Mia, Carole, Glenda, and everyone that is carrying on his legacy. This season is for Lyle, and every champion going forward will earn a championship trophy that carries his name.”
The L.D. Bossman Championship Trophy will portray the strength it takes to succeed and the courage it takes to battle even the most uphill challenges. Both displayed by Lyle DeVore in his pursuit of promotional success and his never quit approach to battling cancer.
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, its car show season starting with the annual Lance & Jill Sharpe Motorsports promotion at the Colonie Center Mall featuring racers from Lebanon Valley, Albany-Saratoga, and more.
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.
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, Saratoga Masonry Supply, 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.
CDRA 