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.