-by Justin St. Louis
VMM Editor
How sweet it was at Thunder Road's Merchants Bank 150 last weekend. Sweet, yes, to be back in Barre at "The Nation's Site of Excitement", and Sweet, too, in victory lane. As in hometown boy Nick Sweet.
The 24 year-old grabbed his first career American-Canadian Tour victory in entertaining fashion, having driven from 12th starting spot to wage a 40-lap battle for the lead with Thunder Road heavyweight Dave Pembroke and Canadian star Patrick Laperle, then holding off defending ACT champion Brian Hoar in the final frames.
We've told parts of this story before, but what a story it is behind Sweet, who has become something of a cult hero in Central Vermont. In 2003, the high school student built a four-cylinder Street Stock and was an immediate contender for wins and championships. Four years later and ascending the local ladder, he was celebrated as the Tiger Sportsman champion and had won races at tracks like Airborne Speedway in New York, Lee USA Speedway in New Hampshire, and the intimidating Sanair Super Speedway tri-oval outside Montreal.
With high-profile backing from Saint J Auto, Sweet tackled the ACT Late Model circuit in 2008, winning Rookie of the Year. He returned to Thunder Road last season to notch his first Late Model win, and ran impressively enough during the year to earn the final starting spot in the inaugural ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He responded in kind with a runner-up finish in front of a NASCAR crowd.
Sunday he etched his name on the ACT win list by beating a few future Hall of Famers. For those that have watched Sweet develop, it seemed like only a matter of time before he broke through.
"He's one of the best to come out of Thunder Road in the Tiger division," said Hoar, a six-time ACT title winner. "He’s a future champion for sure."
"We knew [at Thunder Road] last year that Nick was a great, great driver," said Middlesex racer Pembroke. "It's just no one knew it at this [ACT] level yet."
Sweet, as usual, humbly deflected all praise to his team, noting his father/crew chief, Shayne, "made me look good." He respects the drivers he races against, frequently citing men he beats on the track as his childhood heroes. He has an obvious love for Thunder Road and its fans: "It's my home place in front my home people," he said Sunday. "I'm a native of Barre, Vermont. Winning here is like a dream."
Apparently it was no surprise when Nick Sweet pulled into the ACT winner's circle for the first time last weekend. Therefore, it probably won't be a surprise the next time, either.
***
We asked ACT and Thunder Road prexy Tom Curley about his thoughts on Nick Sweet's breakthrough. Here is Curley, in his own words:
VMM: "What does it mean for you to have a kid like Nick Sweet win his first ACT race at Thunder Road after having come up through the ladder system there?"
TC: "Well the real interesting thing about Nick Sweet is that he has continually surprised me at every step of the way. I don't ever remember a driver that I have been so wrong about. I knew we had a great talent in the Street Stocks [but] I thought he made his move to Tigers too soon. Wrong!
"As soon as he rolled onto the track I knew I was wrong. He was more dominant in that division in just a couple years than some of the all-time best ever like Cooper [MacRitchie], [John] Donahue, Eric Williams, [Dave] Pembroke, etc. He was doing things that bordered on veteran skills in his first year [but] I thought his move to Late Models was too fast. Wrong!
"I knew I was wrong around the fourth race. The character of the entire team bouncing back from the horrible start, when I privately told myself 'I told you so' proved me wrong again. After the [Oxford] 250 performance, I knew he was going to [the ACT Invitational at] NHMS. I never in my wildest imagination thought he would be the star of Loudon that day, on and off the track.
"I think he is the absolute poster boy for why I have done this business for so long.
"His father [Shayne] is one of the most remarkable men I have ever known in the business. A perfectionist, methodical, very grounded, and deals as well as anyone I have ever known with controversy. As an example, he had quietly geared up pretty much for the now infamous 'bump stop' fiasco early last spring. After our decision to get rid of them for economic reasons, Shayne wrote me a very respectful email about his disappointment, and the expensive costs that had been wasted by the #88 team because of our decision last June. We had one quick telephone conversation and they moved on quietly and without all the usual negative stuff that might have adversely affected his team. I now know why Nick is one of the best young drivers to come out of our system in the past 20 years.
"He was on my short list of recommended 'draft picks' for the annual Speed 51 deal. I was pleased to see him join two others I pitched, Joey [Polewarczyk] and Eddie [MacDonald] who made the list from our neck of the woods.
"Nick has earned instant respect from the veteran champions, handles his success with great humility, and I would say he and his overall team effort from the start until now ranks right up there [as] being one of the most worthwhile rewards I have gotten for 33 years of work."
***
The first load of asphalt is being put down at Devil's Bowl Speedway in West Haven as this column is being written. The first practice is Saturday, May 15.
***
Martin Roy's 2009 championship at Airborne Speedway certainly seems a little bit tainted now, doesn't it?
Roy ran afoul of the DIRTcar rulebook -- specifically, illegally altered cylinder heads -- for the second time in the last two Airborne events on Saturday night. Roy and Modified rival Patrick Dupree were each penalized for the infraction at the 2009 season finale last September, one week after championship points had been finalized. Roy and third-place finisher Richard Tisseur were busted again after Saturday's season opener for similar findings. Ironically, Dupree inherited the Saturday victory after his heads passed inspection.
Airborne officials inspected the parts thoroughly on Saturday night, but sent the heads of all three cars to DIRTcar inspectors, from where the disqualifications come. Any further penalties, including fines, suspensions, etc., will be decided upon by DIRTcar rather than Airborne Speedway.
We've seen Martin Roy race enough times to know that illegal or not, he is one whale of a driver, and the Jean-Claude Fortin team he drives for is as nice and friendly a group of people as you can ask for. But this isn't the 1950s, when Modifieds had no rules. Play with fire, and you're gonna get burned.
***
Congratulations to Thunder Road veteran George May. May scored the Tiger Sportsman win on opening day, sixteen years after his last victory.
***
ACT driver Mark Lamberton joked on Saturday that it took him fifteen years to learn how to get around Thunder Road, but only a couple of years away to forget. After a fifth-place finish in the Merchants Bank 150, it's probably okay to guess that he figured it back out in a hurry.
***
We're trying something new for 2010 by strapping the VMM camera -- a four year-old Olympus FE-340 point-and-shoot that you can find at any electronics store for around $75 -- into some race cars. So far we've done a Tiger Sportsman practice, a Late Model practice, and a Street Stock feature race at Thunder Road, and a Modified heat at Airborne. Not to brag, but in the two races, we've pulled down a win at T-Road with Mike MacAskill and a third at Airborne with Chris Cayea.
We figure it'll be fun until a big ol' glob of clay bounces up and takes the camera out at Bear Ridge some night. Even then, that should be pretty good footage, right?
***
Make sure to pick up a copy of The Barre-Montpelier (VT) Times Argus each Wednesday to check out the new "Rear View Mirror" column, written by yours truly. You can also read it online at http://www.timesargus.com/.
***
AROUND THE REGION:
Time to take a look at the top Vermonters from the past weekend...
ACT Late Model Tour: Barre's Nick Sweet took his frist career win at Thunder Road on Sunday, followed by Williston's Brian Hoar in second. Middlesex racer Dave Pembroke was fourth.
Airborne Speedway (Plattsburgh, N.Y.): Lance Rabtoy of Fairfax scored his first career Renegade victory after a race-long battle with Swanton's Kevin Boutin. Whiting's Jimmy Ryan was the top Vermonter in the Modified feature, placing 13th.
Modified Racing Series: Dwight Jarvis of Ascutney won the Bond Auto Spring Dash 100 at Monadnock Speedway on Saturday night in Winchester, N.H. Joey Jarvis of Ascutney was 17th.
Monadnock Speedway (Winchester, N.H.): Nate Kehoe of Windham finished ninth in the Sportsman Modifieds on Saturday, while Dana Shepard of Putney finished eighth in the Super Stock feature. Ludlow's Joe Rogers was tenth in the Mini Stocks.
NASCAR Nationwide Series: Shelburne's Kevin Lepage was 38th at Richmond Int'l Raceway on Friday night.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: David Stremme finished 29th at Richmond Int'l Raceway on Saturday night for Vermont-based Latitude 43 Motorsports. Marshfield native Dave Rogers earned his first career Sprint Cup Series win as crew chief for Kyle Busch.
PASS North Super Late Models: Scott Dragon of Milton finished 11th in Saturday's event at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Me.
Thunder Road Int'l Speedbowl (Barre): Barre's George May won the Tiger Sportsman feature over Williamstown's Mike Ziter and Barre's Cody Blake on Sunday. Mike MacAskill of Williamstown won the first Street Stock feature over Graniteville's Travis Hull and Bunker Hodgdon of Hardwick, while West Topsham's Tim Campbell won the second feature over Hardwick's Greg Adams, Jr., and Ron Gabaree of Barre. Ken Christman of Cabot won the first Junkyard Warrior feature over Williamstown's Kevin Hebert and Tommy Elwood of Morrisville, and Williasmtown's Kevin Wheatley won the second race over Barre's Kevin Dodge and Brock Parrott of Williamstown.
Twin State Speedway (Claremont, N.H.): Dallas Trombley of Rutland finished sixth in the Late Model feature on Friday night, while Robert Hagar of Windsor was fifth in the Modified event. Chris Wilk of Mendon won the Super Street feature over Russ Davis of Cavendish, and David Greenslit of Waitsfield won the Strictly Stock feature. Rob Leitch of Cavendish was second in the Wildcat feature, with Jeremiah Losee of North Springfield third.
***
THIS WEEK:
Friday, May 7
Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, N.Y. -- 6:45pm (Grand Re-Opening)
Canaan Dirt Speedway, Canaan, N.H. -- 7:00pm (Season Opener)
Twin State Speedway, Claremont, N.H. -- 7:30pm (Regular Event)
Saturday, May 8
Bear Ridge Speedway, Bradford -- 10:00am (Car Show @ Jiffy Mart), 2:00pm (Practice)
Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, N.Y. -- 5:00pm (ACT Late Model Tour)
Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan, N.H. -- 6:00pm (Season Opener)
Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, N.H. -- 6:00pm (Regular Event)
Riverside Speedway, Groveton, N.H. -- 11:00am Car Show, 1:00pm (Open Practice)
Sunday, May 9
Big Daddy's Speedbowl, Rumney, N.H. -- 4:00pm (Grand Opening)
TOURING SERIES:
ACT Late Model Tour: Sat., May 8 -- Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, N.Y. (5:00pm)
NASCAR Nationwide Series: Fri., May 7 -- Darlington Raceway, Darlington, S.C. (7:00pm)
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Sat., May 8 -- Darlington Raceway, Darlington, S.C. (7:30pm)
Pro All Stars Series: Fri., May 7 -- Wake County Speedway, Raleigh, N.C. (7:00pm)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: Dupree Inherits Airborne Win After Inspection
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Patrick Dupree may have crossed the finish line second at Airborne Speedway on Saturday night, but he will ultimately walk away with a victory.
Defending track champion Martin Roy of Napierville, Que., dominated the 50-lap opening event for the Modified division, but was found to be in violation of the DIRTcar rulebook in a lengthy post-race inspection that concluded on Tuesday afternoon. DIRTcar is the sanctioning body that governs Airborne Speedway.
Airborne officials inspected the cylinder heads of the top-three finishers, but were unable to make a definitive decision on the legality of Roy's, Dupree's, and third-place finisher Richard Tisseur's parts. Airborne promoter Mike Perrotte had the heads of all three cars sent to DIRTcar headquarters for further inspection, where Roy and Tisseur's were found illegal.
Roy beat Dupree by 16 points for the Airborne championship in 2009. Both Roy's and Dupree's cars were similarly torn down and found illegal by DIRTcar for cylinder head violations following a non-points event after the championship was final in September, although no penalties were handed down beyond disqualification and loss of purse from the event.
Airborne Speedway spokeswoman Niki Bird said that any penalties levied against Roy or Tisseur beyond disqualification and loss of purse from Saturday's event are "in DIRTcar's hands."
Dupree, of Saranac Lake, N.Y., will inherit the victory for Saturday night's event. As the winner, Dupree also will be given an automatic starting spot in Super DIRT Week's 358 Modified event at Syracuse in October.
Greg Atkins of Clintonville, N.Y., is now be the official runner-up. The rest of the revised top five is completed by George Foley, Andy Heywood and Matt Woodruff.
Defending track champion Martin Roy of Napierville, Que., dominated the 50-lap opening event for the Modified division, but was found to be in violation of the DIRTcar rulebook in a lengthy post-race inspection that concluded on Tuesday afternoon. DIRTcar is the sanctioning body that governs Airborne Speedway.
Airborne officials inspected the cylinder heads of the top-three finishers, but were unable to make a definitive decision on the legality of Roy's, Dupree's, and third-place finisher Richard Tisseur's parts. Airborne promoter Mike Perrotte had the heads of all three cars sent to DIRTcar headquarters for further inspection, where Roy and Tisseur's were found illegal.
Roy beat Dupree by 16 points for the Airborne championship in 2009. Both Roy's and Dupree's cars were similarly torn down and found illegal by DIRTcar for cylinder head violations following a non-points event after the championship was final in September, although no penalties were handed down beyond disqualification and loss of purse from the event.
Airborne Speedway spokeswoman Niki Bird said that any penalties levied against Roy or Tisseur beyond disqualification and loss of purse from Saturday's event are "in DIRTcar's hands."
Dupree, of Saranac Lake, N.Y., will inherit the victory for Saturday night's event. As the winner, Dupree also will be given an automatic starting spot in Super DIRT Week's 358 Modified event at Syracuse in October.
Greg Atkins of Clintonville, N.Y., is now be the official runner-up. The rest of the revised top five is completed by George Foley, Andy Heywood and Matt Woodruff.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sweet Takes First ACT Victory at Thunder Road
BARRE – The first 80 laps of Sunday’s Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl appeared to be a continuation of Dave Pembroke’s dominance of American-Canadian Tour events at the Barre track. After starting from the outside pole, the Middlesex driver had a full straightaway lead by lap 12 and was pulling away. That all changed on a lap 80 restart, though, as Patrick Laperle of St-Denis, Que., and hometown driver Nick Sweet arrived on the scene.
Laperle rode the outside line to take the lead on lap 81, then the trio waged a 40-lap battle at the front. Pembroke reassumed the lead on lap 96 before Sweet took over 14 circuits later. Pembroke and Sweet swapped the point four more times between laps 112 and 121 before Sweet took control for good. Defending ACT champion Brian Hoar of Williston arrived late in the going for second place, with Laperle third and Pembroke fourth.
“These long races are all about patience,” said Sweet, who started 12th on the 30-car grid. “You have to set up for these kinds of races. You can’t burn the tires off too soon, and I saved it. I’ve learned a lot over these past couple years, and look at me now, I’m winning races.”
For Sweet, in his third season of racing the top-tier Late Model division, the Merchants Bank 150 was his first ACT victory. For his competitors, though, it felt like a long time coming.
“I closed in on Nick the last five laps and tried to nerve him up a little bit, but he did a great job,” said Hoar. “He didn’t nerve up much. He’s definitely a future champion.”
“This is the first race we’ve had to worry about Nick Sweet,” Pembroke said sarcastically; the two are weekly competitors at Thunder Road. “We knew last year that Nick was a great, great driver.”
Mark Lamberton of Mooers Forks, N.Y., had a strong return to full-time competition by finishing in fifth place. The unofficial top ten was completed by Craig Bushey, Joey Laquerre, Chip Grenier, polesitter Scott Payea, and Mark Hayward in a career-best tenth.
With the win, Sweet became the first driver to qualify for the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September.
Veteran driver George May of Barre won the 35-lap Tiger Sportsman feature in a caution-free event. May’s last win at Thunder Road came in 1994. Mike Ziter of Williamstown was second, followed by Cody Blake, Joel Hodgdon, and Josh Demers.
Street Stock driver Mike MacAskill of Williamstown dominated the first of two Street Stock/Junkyard Warrior combined features, with Travis Hull second and Bunker Hodgdon third. Tim Campbell of West Topsham beat Greg Adams, Jr., by two feet to win the second feature, with Barre’s Ron Gabaree third. Cabot’s Ken Christman and Kevin Wheatley of Williamstown were the top-finishing Junkyard Warrior drivers in their respective features.
Laperle rode the outside line to take the lead on lap 81, then the trio waged a 40-lap battle at the front. Pembroke reassumed the lead on lap 96 before Sweet took over 14 circuits later. Pembroke and Sweet swapped the point four more times between laps 112 and 121 before Sweet took control for good. Defending ACT champion Brian Hoar of Williston arrived late in the going for second place, with Laperle third and Pembroke fourth.
“These long races are all about patience,” said Sweet, who started 12th on the 30-car grid. “You have to set up for these kinds of races. You can’t burn the tires off too soon, and I saved it. I’ve learned a lot over these past couple years, and look at me now, I’m winning races.”
For Sweet, in his third season of racing the top-tier Late Model division, the Merchants Bank 150 was his first ACT victory. For his competitors, though, it felt like a long time coming.
“I closed in on Nick the last five laps and tried to nerve him up a little bit, but he did a great job,” said Hoar. “He didn’t nerve up much. He’s definitely a future champion.”
“This is the first race we’ve had to worry about Nick Sweet,” Pembroke said sarcastically; the two are weekly competitors at Thunder Road. “We knew last year that Nick was a great, great driver.”
Mark Lamberton of Mooers Forks, N.Y., had a strong return to full-time competition by finishing in fifth place. The unofficial top ten was completed by Craig Bushey, Joey Laquerre, Chip Grenier, polesitter Scott Payea, and Mark Hayward in a career-best tenth.
With the win, Sweet became the first driver to qualify for the ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September.
Veteran driver George May of Barre won the 35-lap Tiger Sportsman feature in a caution-free event. May’s last win at Thunder Road came in 1994. Mike Ziter of Williamstown was second, followed by Cody Blake, Joel Hodgdon, and Josh Demers.
Street Stock driver Mike MacAskill of Williamstown dominated the first of two Street Stock/Junkyard Warrior combined features, with Travis Hull second and Bunker Hodgdon third. Tim Campbell of West Topsham beat Greg Adams, Jr., by two feet to win the second feature, with Barre’s Ron Gabaree third. Cabot’s Ken Christman and Kevin Wheatley of Williamstown were the top-finishing Junkyard Warrior drivers in their respective features.
REVISED Merchants Bank 150 Results
OFFICIAL RESULTS – Merchants Bank 150 (revised 5/06)
American-Canadian Tour – Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl, Barre, Vt.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
(Pos.-Driver-Hometown)
ACT Late Model Tour (150 laps)
1. Nick Sweet, Barre
2. Brian Hoar, Williston
3. Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, Que.
4. Dave Pembroke, Middlesex
5. Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
6. Craig Bushey, Cambridge
7. Joey Laquerre, East Montpelier
8. Chip Grenier, Graniteville
9. Scott Payea, Milton
10. Mark Hayward, Newport, N.H.
Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman (35 laps)
1. George May, Barre
2. Mike Ziter, Williamstown
3. Cody Blake, Barre
4. Joel Hodgdon, Craftsbury
5. Josh Demers, Middlesex
Allen Lumber Street Stock/Junkyard Warrior #1 (30 laps)
1. Mike MacAskill, Williamstown (SS)
2. Travis Hull, Graniteville (SS)
3. Bunker Hodgdon, Hardwick (SS)
4. Jean LeBlanc, Gorham, N.H. (SS)
5. Billy Hennequin, Morrisville (SS)
14. Ken Christman, Cabot (JW)
17. Kevin Hebert, Williamstown (JW)
20. Tommy Elwood, Morrisville (JW)
Allen Lumber Street Stock/Junkyard Warrior #2 (30 laps)
1. Tim Campbell, West Topsham (SS)
2. Greg Adams, Jr., Hardwick (SS)
3. Ron Gabaree, Barre (SS)
4. Scott Weston, Berlin (SS)
5. Joe Fecteau, Hardwick (SS)
7. Shawn Swallow, Stark, N.H. (JW)
10. Kevin Wheatley, Williamstown (JW)
11. Kevin Dodge, Barre (JW)
American-Canadian Tour – Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl, Barre, Vt.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
(Pos.-Driver-Hometown)
ACT Late Model Tour (150 laps)
1. Nick Sweet, Barre
2. Brian Hoar, Williston
3. Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, Que.
4. Dave Pembroke, Middlesex
5. Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
6. Craig Bushey, Cambridge
7. Joey Laquerre, East Montpelier
8. Chip Grenier, Graniteville
9. Scott Payea, Milton
10. Mark Hayward, Newport, N.H.
Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman (35 laps)
1. George May, Barre
2. Mike Ziter, Williamstown
3. Cody Blake, Barre
4. Joel Hodgdon, Craftsbury
5. Josh Demers, Middlesex
Allen Lumber Street Stock/Junkyard Warrior #1 (30 laps)
1. Mike MacAskill, Williamstown (SS)
2. Travis Hull, Graniteville (SS)
3. Bunker Hodgdon, Hardwick (SS)
4. Jean LeBlanc, Gorham, N.H. (SS)
5. Billy Hennequin, Morrisville (SS)
14. Ken Christman, Cabot (JW)
17. Kevin Hebert, Williamstown (JW)
20. Tommy Elwood, Morrisville (JW)
Allen Lumber Street Stock/Junkyard Warrior #2 (30 laps)
1. Tim Campbell, West Topsham (SS)
2. Greg Adams, Jr., Hardwick (SS)
3. Ron Gabaree, Barre (SS)
4. Scott Weston, Berlin (SS)
5. Joe Fecteau, Hardwick (SS)
7. Shawn Swallow, Stark, N.H. (JW)
10. Kevin Wheatley, Williamstown (JW)
11. Kevin Dodge, Barre (JW)
Jarvis Wins Modified Racing Series at Monadnock
(From MRS press release)
WINCHESTER, N.H. – Despite 12 caution periods Ascutney, Vt., racing veteran Dwight Jarvis scored his first win of the season Saturday night in front of a large opening night crowd when he captured the Bond Auto Parts Spring Dash 100 for modified race cars at Monadnock Speedway.
The win by Jarvis was his sixth career victory with the Modified Racing Series, sponsored by BobValentiAutoMall.com.
Starting 17th in a 24 car field, Jarvis methodically worked his way through the lineup, taking the top spot on lap 76. It was a hard fought victory for the popular driver who chased hometown driver Jim Boniface for several laps before making the pass. Boniface led the race for 68 laps.
2009 Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year Jacob Dore of Sanford, Me., made a late race charge to finish second. Boniface settled for third, while Rowan Pennink of Huntington Valley, Penn., finished fourth with Sean Bodreau of Claremont, N.H., fifth.
Pennink, who started 24th in the field, was involved in an early race skirmish on lap 36, that forced him to start last again. He made a late race charge that led to his fourth place finish.
32 race teams entered the event, the third of 19 races for the popular touring series.
The next scheduled race for MRS is the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta N.Y., on May 21.
WINCHESTER, N.H. – Despite 12 caution periods Ascutney, Vt., racing veteran Dwight Jarvis scored his first win of the season Saturday night in front of a large opening night crowd when he captured the Bond Auto Parts Spring Dash 100 for modified race cars at Monadnock Speedway.
The win by Jarvis was his sixth career victory with the Modified Racing Series, sponsored by BobValentiAutoMall.com.
Starting 17th in a 24 car field, Jarvis methodically worked his way through the lineup, taking the top spot on lap 76. It was a hard fought victory for the popular driver who chased hometown driver Jim Boniface for several laps before making the pass. Boniface led the race for 68 laps.
2009 Koszela Speed Rookie of the Year Jacob Dore of Sanford, Me., made a late race charge to finish second. Boniface settled for third, while Rowan Pennink of Huntington Valley, Penn., finished fourth with Sean Bodreau of Claremont, N.H., fifth.
Pennink, who started 24th in the field, was involved in an early race skirmish on lap 36, that forced him to start last again. He made a late race charge that led to his fourth place finish.
32 race teams entered the event, the third of 19 races for the popular touring series.
The next scheduled race for MRS is the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta N.Y., on May 21.
REVISED Airborne Results - 5/01/10
OFFICIAL RESULTS – Valcour Imaging/Hamilton Funeral Home Night
Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
Modified (50 laps)
1. Patrick Dupree, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
2. Greg Atkins, Clintonville, N.Y.
3. George Foley, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
4. Andy Heywood, Morrisonville, N.Y.
5. Matt Woodruff, Bloomingdale, N.Y.
6. Chris Cayea, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
7. Cameron Grady, Wilmington, N.Y.
8. Mike Wells, West Chazy, N.Y.
9. Leon Gonyo, Chazy, N.Y.
10. Mike Reyell, West Chazy, N.Y.
11. Dan Brown, Sutton, Que.
12. Bryant Trim, Morrisonville, N.Y.
13. Jimmy Ryan, Whiting
14. Todd Ormsby, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
15. Terry Hayes, Warrensburg, N.Y.
16. Andy Powell, Hannibal, N.Y.
17. Floyd Billington, Glens Falls, N.Y.
18. Michel Viens, St-Cesaire, Que.
19. Jason Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
20. Mike Bruno, Castleton
21. Don Scarborough, Brandon
22. Patrice McGrail, Quebec, Que.
23. Maxime Viens, St-Cesaire, Que.
24. Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, N.Y.
25. Chad Blair, Saranac, N.Y.
26. Aaron Bartemy, Sheldon
27. Craig Ormsby, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
28. Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon
DQ -- Martin Roy, Napierville, Que.
DQ -- Richard Tisseur, Chateauguay, Que.
Sportsman (25 laps)
1. Robin Wood, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
2. Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
3. Shawn Duquette, Morrisonville, N.Y.
4. Jamy Begor, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
5. Jim Bushey, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
6. Rick Frenyea, Saranac, N.Y.
7. Bill Fountain, Amsterdam, N.Y.
8. Tylor Terry, Morrisonville, N.Y.
9. Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
10. Howard Stoner, Altona, N.Y.
Renegade (25 laps)
1. Lance Rabtoy, Fairfax
2. Kevin Boutin, Swanton
3. Ken St. Germaine, AuSable Forks, N.Y.
4. Keith Pelkey, Clintonville, N.Y.
5. Keith O’Neil, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
Mini-Modified (15 laps)
1. Rick Doner, AuSable Forks, N.Y.
2. Steven Bressette, Keeseville, N.Y.
3. Jamie LaFountain, Keeseville, N.Y.
4. Randy Martin, Keeseville, N.Y.
5. Chris LaVair, Gabriels, N.Y.
Bomber (15 laps)
1. Bill Joyal, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
2. Curtis LaGrave, Jr., Plattsburgh, N.Y.
3. Cody Meyers, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
4. Scott Richner, Rouses Point, N.Y.
5. Josh Durivage, West Chazy, N.Y.
Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Pos.-Driver-Hometown
Modified (50 laps)
1. Patrick Dupree, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
2. Greg Atkins, Clintonville, N.Y.
3. George Foley, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
4. Andy Heywood, Morrisonville, N.Y.
5. Matt Woodruff, Bloomingdale, N.Y.
6. Chris Cayea, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
7. Cameron Grady, Wilmington, N.Y.
8. Mike Wells, West Chazy, N.Y.
9. Leon Gonyo, Chazy, N.Y.
10. Mike Reyell, West Chazy, N.Y.
11. Dan Brown, Sutton, Que.
12. Bryant Trim, Morrisonville, N.Y.
13. Jimmy Ryan, Whiting
14. Todd Ormsby, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
15. Terry Hayes, Warrensburg, N.Y.
16. Andy Powell, Hannibal, N.Y.
17. Floyd Billington, Glens Falls, N.Y.
18. Michel Viens, St-Cesaire, Que.
19. Jason Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
20. Mike Bruno, Castleton
21. Don Scarborough, Brandon
22. Patrice McGrail, Quebec, Que.
23. Maxime Viens, St-Cesaire, Que.
24. Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, N.Y.
25. Chad Blair, Saranac, N.Y.
26. Aaron Bartemy, Sheldon
27. Craig Ormsby, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
28. Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon
DQ -- Martin Roy, Napierville, Que.
DQ -- Richard Tisseur, Chateauguay, Que.
Sportsman (25 laps)
1. Robin Wood, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
2. Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
3. Shawn Duquette, Morrisonville, N.Y.
4. Jamy Begor, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
5. Jim Bushey, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
6. Rick Frenyea, Saranac, N.Y.
7. Bill Fountain, Amsterdam, N.Y.
8. Tylor Terry, Morrisonville, N.Y.
9. Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
10. Howard Stoner, Altona, N.Y.
Renegade (25 laps)
1. Lance Rabtoy, Fairfax
2. Kevin Boutin, Swanton
3. Ken St. Germaine, AuSable Forks, N.Y.
4. Keith Pelkey, Clintonville, N.Y.
5. Keith O’Neil, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
Mini-Modified (15 laps)
1. Rick Doner, AuSable Forks, N.Y.
2. Steven Bressette, Keeseville, N.Y.
3. Jamie LaFountain, Keeseville, N.Y.
4. Randy Martin, Keeseville, N.Y.
5. Chris LaVair, Gabriels, N.Y.
Bomber (15 laps)
1. Bill Joyal, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
2. Curtis LaGrave, Jr., Plattsburgh, N.Y.
3. Cody Meyers, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
4. Scott Richner, Rouses Point, N.Y.
5. Josh Durivage, West Chazy, N.Y.
Roy Wins at Airborne Pending Inspection
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Questions surround the finish of what was an interesting finish at Airborne Speedway on Saturday night. Defending track champion Martin Roy of Napierville, Que., held off the late charges of Patrick Dupree – the man he narrowly beat to win the 2009 title – in the 50-lap opening event, but their fates, along with that of third-place finisher Richard Tisseur, will wait to be decided.
The cylinder heads of each driver’s cars were thoroughly inspected by Airborne officials, but the findings of each were deemed inconclusive. “The finish will be considered unofficial pending further inspection by Brodix (an engine manufacturer),” said promoter Mike Perrotte.
Dupree, of Saranac Lake, N.Y., passed Chateauguay, Que., driver Tisseur after the two collided on the frontstretch on lap 15. After a lengthy rain delay at lap 28, Dupree reeled in Roy over the final ten laps, coming within a car length of making a pass, but fell back in lapped traffic on the final circuit.
Greg Atkins of Clintonville, N.Y., turned in an impressive fourth-place effort, with former track champion George Foley of Saranac Lake, N.Y., fifth. The top ten was completed in order by Andy Heywood, Matt Woodruff, Chris Cayea, Cameron Grady, and Mike Wells.
The eventual winner will earn a guaranteed starting berth in October’s Super DIRT Week at Syracuse.
The 25-lap Sportsman feature was not without controversy, as hometown driver Robin Wood was named the winner nearly an hour after the checkered flag fell.
Wood nipped his uncle, Bucko Branham, at the finish line by inches, but Branham’s car was scored first by electronic transponders. Inspectors ruled that Branham’s transponder was mounted too far forward on the chassis of his car and Wood was given the win. Branham was placed second with no further penalty. Shawn Duquette, Jamy Begor, and Jim Bushey finished third through fifth, respectively.
Lance Rabtoy of Fairfax grabbed his first career Renegade win after a 25-lap duel with Swanton driver Kevin Boutin. Ken St. Germaine was third over Ketih Pelkey and Keith O’Neil. Rick Doner of AuSable Forks, N.Y., won the 15-lap Mini-Modified feature over teammate Steven Bressette, and Plattsburgh’s Bill Joyal won the 15-lap Bomber event.
The cylinder heads of each driver’s cars were thoroughly inspected by Airborne officials, but the findings of each were deemed inconclusive. “The finish will be considered unofficial pending further inspection by Brodix (an engine manufacturer),” said promoter Mike Perrotte.
Dupree, of Saranac Lake, N.Y., passed Chateauguay, Que., driver Tisseur after the two collided on the frontstretch on lap 15. After a lengthy rain delay at lap 28, Dupree reeled in Roy over the final ten laps, coming within a car length of making a pass, but fell back in lapped traffic on the final circuit.
Greg Atkins of Clintonville, N.Y., turned in an impressive fourth-place effort, with former track champion George Foley of Saranac Lake, N.Y., fifth. The top ten was completed in order by Andy Heywood, Matt Woodruff, Chris Cayea, Cameron Grady, and Mike Wells.
The eventual winner will earn a guaranteed starting berth in October’s Super DIRT Week at Syracuse.
The 25-lap Sportsman feature was not without controversy, as hometown driver Robin Wood was named the winner nearly an hour after the checkered flag fell.
Wood nipped his uncle, Bucko Branham, at the finish line by inches, but Branham’s car was scored first by electronic transponders. Inspectors ruled that Branham’s transponder was mounted too far forward on the chassis of his car and Wood was given the win. Branham was placed second with no further penalty. Shawn Duquette, Jamy Begor, and Jim Bushey finished third through fifth, respectively.
Lance Rabtoy of Fairfax grabbed his first career Renegade win after a 25-lap duel with Swanton driver Kevin Boutin. Ken St. Germaine was third over Ketih Pelkey and Keith O’Neil. Rick Doner of AuSable Forks, N.Y., won the 15-lap Mini-Modified feature over teammate Steven Bressette, and Plattsburgh’s Bill Joyal won the 15-lap Bomber event.
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