FONDA, NY – Typically, Power Five is a feature of CDRA racing between points paying events that highlights top five drivers in championship point standings. This pre-season special offers something different looking at past, present, and future Sportsman Modified in preparation for the highly anticipated Season Three Spring Shootout points opener at Albany-Saratoga Speedway.
First up is a final look back at JAM Performance & Consulting CDRA final championship standings presented by Elmo’s Speed Supply from Season Two last summer. It was a David and Goliath battle between defending series champion Taylor Wason and perennial title contender Tim Hartman Jr. with some talented up and comers sprinkled in the mix.
Glenville, NY hot shoe Tim Hartman Jr. is having a career decade racing for car owner Mike Parillo. TH2 has amassed over 100 wins in the MRP owned machines with multiple manufacturers including Troyer, Bicknell, and DKM. Hartman scored two victories in route to his first CDRA series title in 2025 with his Kick Fly’s Quality Hemp Products, Bemiss Trucking, and Ideal Excavating ride.
Next up for last season’s Power Five was Middlegrove, NY racer and 2024 champion Taylor Wason. The ‘Middlegrove Missile’ put forth an impressive title defense last summer including recording his first series win coming at Glen Ridge. Wason used that victory to secure second place in final championship standings driving his Lenihan Paving, Lake Auto Parts, and HICO Fabrication mount.
Nick Brundige of Round Lake, NY went tour racing with CDRA in 2025 with his Capital District Towing, Miller Motorsports, and DE Designs 916 race rod. Nick earned the prestigious NOTY (Newcomer Of The Year) award, while finishing third place in championship point standings. It was an entertaining battle for position down to the final points paying event with Tavien Blowers.
Tavien Blowers of Caroga Lake, NY races hard and nearly grabbed his first series win at the Ridge. Blowers went Hoosier-to-Hoosier with DIRTcar Sportsman Modified heavy hitter Gavin Eisele finishing an exciting runner up in the East Series race and CDRA points paying event racing his O’Connor Towing, Miracle Ear, and New Image Lawn Care Mark O’Connor owned Bicknell.
Rounding out the Power Five from last season is Latham, NY racer Zach Buff. Buff has been a top racer with CDRA with the Ray Sefrin owned West End Towing & Repair, Buff’s Auto Service, and DIG Race Products Bicknell. Zach has a series win to his credit and four top five finishes. Last season he scored two finishes inside the top five leading him to remain in the title contender’s conversation.
Shifting gears, but staying with the Power Five theme, here’s a look at some drivers pre-registered declaring their intent to compete full-time with CDRA in 2026 that are not exactly newcomers.
Let’s start with Saratoga Springs, NY racer Michael Ballestero. He’s bringing his Stone’s Pharmacy, M&J Construction, and Generations Auto race rod on tour this season with CDRA and should contend for the title. After all Mike is one of the all-time winningest drivers at the great race place, and has five series starts to his credit. One of the Capital Districts seasoned competitors.
Next in title conversation looking to earn the L.D. Bossman Championship Trophy is Canaan, CT big brother Chris Crane Jr. has already parked his Greenacres Landscaping, Crane’s Outdoor Power Equipment, and SABCO Performance Bicknell in CDRA victory lane twice including a Malta Massive Weekend Great Crate Classic win in 2024. Chris is a bonified title contender for Season Three.
Little brother Connor Crane, also from Canaan, CT may carry a similar look as big brother Chris, but ‘kid cushion’ has emerged a high side hustler and feature winner. Connor parked his race rocket in victory lane at Albany-Saratoga in 2025 during Malta Massive Weekend for a Great Crate Classic win of his own. He too could contend for a ticket to title town during Season Three.
Next driver to pre-register and declare their intent to compete full-time with CDRA in 2026 is none other than ‘Mikey Wags’ or as his momma named him, Michael Wagner-Fitzgerald. The well-mannered soft-spoken kid from Gansevoort, NY was in the NOTY mix last season before missing a PPE. He has the skillset to compete with the best tour talents in the Capitaland for a title.
Last, but not least, for this group of five is none other than William August, more affectionately known to his peers as ‘nubz’. The seasoned racer has some time behind the wheel and experiences to quietly, or not, make some noise in his Electric City Taxi, GNC Trees, and Self Motorsports ride. If he pulls off the upset, there will be a party in Ballston Spa, NY for sure.
Now, this group of five is our NOTY contenders who have pre-registered through the website. There will be a full breakdown on these drivers in a future article, but for now let’s name five drivers who just might turn some heads during the 2026 CDRA season.
East Greenbush, NY racer AJ Albreada, Scotia, NY racer Bodie Marks, Whitting, VT racer Brent Warren, Gloversville, NY racer EJ Gallup, and Lee, MA racer Cam VanZandt are all top contenders to earn the NOTY in Season three. Some may even contend for the series title. There are more racers, and again an in depth look at the NOTY class of ’26 will be coming prior to the season opener.
There’s a lot of knowledge packed into this article about racers’ past, present, and future. More info is coming with our look ahead at the Newcomer Of The Year contenders. Earning the L.D. Bossman Championship Trophy for Season Three is shaping up to be the biggest and hardest Capital District Sportsman Modified challenge yet.
UP NEXT FOR CDRA: The season starts April 17, 2026 at Albany-Saratoga Speedway for CDRA racers. 25 laps for $1,300 to win during Malta’s 61st season opener. Also, on the race card are Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds and DIRTcar Pro Stocks. Limited Sportsman drivers are welcome to attempt to qualify and race in the Spring Shootout.
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 