(May 26, 2024) Brookfield, NY – After years of near-misses, Michael Ballestero finally clinched his first career points-paying victory in the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco. The Saratoga Springs, NY native triumphed at the ‘Fast Cars and Freedom’ event on Memorial Day Weekend, held at the historic Brookfield Speedway.
Battling for the Win
Ballestero, who had two prior STSS victories from the ‘Sunshine Swing’ at All-Tech Raceway in Lake City, FL, secured the $1,500 top prize despite fierce competition from defending race winner Blaine Klinger. “It was tough, I didn’t want to give up the bottom,” Ballestero said. “I saw (Klinger) up there on the outside, but I just had to give it all I could and hope it stuck on the bottom.”
Leading the Pack
After starting from the front row alongside Klinger, Ballestero took the lead early and defended it through multiple restarts. At one point, he and Klinger crossed the line just .011 seconds apart before a caution flag kept Ballestero in the lead. In the final laps, South New Berlin, NY’s Payton Talbot slipped past Klinger to secure the runner-up spot.
“I wish we could’ve had one more double-file restart,” Talbot said. “I would’ve thrown everything at him.”
Klinger, who finished third, reflected on the race, saying, “The one time I got by him the yellow came out. I used up my tires having to race so hard up on the outside. I appreciate Talbot and Ballestero for racing me clean.”
Race Highlights
Twenty-five STSS Crate 602 Sportsman signed in for competition with 24 taking the green flag. Heat winners were Matthew Richardson, Dylan Madsen, and Blaine Klinger.
Looking Ahead
The STSS Modifieds return on Thursday, May 30 with the ‘Adirondack Invasion’ at Airborne Park Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY. This event is Round 2 of the River Valley Builders North Region and Round 6 of the Ollie’s Overall Championship, featuring a 70-lap race with a $7,070 top prize. The event will also include the Sportsman, Renegades, and Mini Stocks under Airborne Park Speedway rules and procedures.
Feature Finish (25 laps):
- Michael Ballestero [1]
- Payton Talbot [4]
- Blaine Klinger [2]
- Tyler Peet [6]
- Jared LaBagh [3]
- David Hackett [13]
- Connor Prokop [11]
- Stephen Denton [20]
- Harry Shaffer [22]
- Dale Welty [16]
- Butchie Irwin [10]
- Josh Akshar [14]
- Don Bellen [18]
- Joshua Jock [8]
- Matthew Richardson [9]
- Gordon Smith [5]
- Maddy Broedel [17]
- George Schweigart [23]
- Dylan Madsen [7]
- Dylan Nichols [21]
- Nick Zielinski [15]
- Clayton Dumond [12]
- Ron Proctor [25]
- Jonny Feagles [19]
