Big Field Expected for Airborne Speedway Opener

(From track press release)

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Airborne Speedway begins its 58th stock car racing season this Saturday, May 1, at 5:00pm, and promoter Mike Perrotte expects over 130 competitors across five divisions.

“We had 90 race teams for practice [last] Saturday,” Perrotte said. “Our opener this Saturday is a Syracuse qualifier for the DIRTcar Modifieds [and] I think that will draw some extra cars that haven’t had much of a chance to race yet this year. Plus our own local divisions are looking strong.”

The headliner on Saturday’s race card, presented by Valcour Imaging of Plattsburgh and Hamilton Funeral Home of Peru, is a 50-lap event that opens 2009 Modified champion Martin Roy’s title defense. The Napierville, Qué., driver of the Gamache Truck Center No. 90 ran well at Syracuse last fall and seeks a guaranteed starting spot in 2010.

Roy is seeking to become the first Ernie’s Tools DIRTcar Modified driver to repeat as track champion. His opening night challengers will include each of the four previous champions: Leon Gonyo of West Chazy, N.Y., Mike Bruno of Castleton, and George Foley and Patrick Dupree of Saranac Lake, N.Y.

The J&S Steel Sportsman, Versatile Trailer Sales Renegades, NAPA Mini-Modifieds and Monster Energy Bombers will also be action. Gates open Saturday at 3 p.m.