BUDDIES BLOGS

BUDDIES BLOGS

Border Patrol – A weekly look at racing from both sides of the 1000 Islands

Craig Revelle – July 13, 2010

A busy weekend of four consecutive race nights was scheduled this past weekend, with weekly events at Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park, Brockville Ontario Speedway and Cornwall Motor Speedway, followed by a special Monday night race back at Can Am, for the first ever appearance of the O’Reilly All Star Sprint Cars, as well as SUNY Canton Series racing for the Modifieds and Sportsman, and an invitational race for the Crate Late Models.

Mother Nature took care of my Friday night plans. Rain held off most of the day at Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park, but shortly after 5PM, the track had to call the night’s events due to rain.

Saturday was a much better day, and after I finished up my work commitments, I traveled to the Brockville Ontario Speedway for their Mid Summer Meltdown, consisting of double points for all classes.

The Modified feature was the most exciting of the evening, as Stephane Lafrance and Matt Billings battled for the lead during the last five laps, weaving their way in and out of lapped traffic, fighting for the number one spot. Billings briefly took the lead with three laps remaining, using the lapped cars to his advantage, and then less then a lap later Lafrance took the top spot in similar fashion. Lafrance crossed the finish line ahead of Billings, while Danny O’Brien, Jason Riddell and Pat O’Brien completed the top five.

In the Sportsman division, it was a first time winner, with Kingston, Ontario racer Mike Mainse taking the checkered flag. Sheldon Hoogwerf finished second, Dave Wilgosh was third, Dylan Evoy fourth and Chris Herbison in a borrowed car finished in the fifth position. Lansdowne racer Steve Barber won his qualifying heat, and started on the pole for the feature. Mechanical problems sidelined Barber near the half way point, taking away any chance of his first ever win. Mallorytown’s Josh Kane was caught up in a lap one crash, and was unable to continue.

The Street Stock feature winner was Alex Gagnon, with Nicholas Gauvreau and Kevin Fetterly Jr, rounding out the podium. Jean Marc Larose continued his domination of the 4cylinder “Rookie” division with his sixth win of the season. Brandon Henderson and Joe McNichols completed the top three.

The Cornwall Motor Speedway hosted the Big Block Modifieds Super DIRTcar Series on Sunday night, and it was Brett “The Jet” Hearn taking home the popular victory. Hearn passed Billy Decker for the lead on lap 66 and never looked back. Decker held on to second place and Steve Paine finished third. Danny Johnson and Jimmy Phelps finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Ghislain Valade won the Pro Stock feature at Cornwall, Gaetan Amesse was the Semi Pro feature winner and Corey Barnes was the Mini Stock winner.

Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park hosted a special Monday night race, and a surprise visitor was on hand, piloting a Sprint Car. NASCAR star Tony Stewart, and owner of Jessica Zemken’s Sprint Car. Tim Shaffer, from Pennsylvania won the 30 main event, with Greg Wilson and Tony Stewart completing the top three podium positions.

In the Modified feature, It was Billy Dunn taking home the win in a John Lazore owned 358 Modified. Tim O’Brien finished second, Perry Francis, Pierre Dagenais and Luke Whitteker rounded out the top five.

The Crate Late Models were also on the schedule, and Dale Caswell picked up the win, with Greg Belyea finishing second, doing everything possible to get around the Caswell machine, but coming up a little short. Phil Potts, Corey Earl and Damien Bidwell rounded out the top five spots.

After a couple days away from the track, I will be back at it this coming weekend, beginning Thursday night at Brewerton for another Modified Super DIRTcar Series race at the Brewerton Speedway. On Friday night, I will be at the Mohawk Raceway, in Hogansburg, New York for a rare appearance, as there is no racing on the big track at Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park this weekend. The track will be open for a special Go Kart and ATV Racing event. On Saturday night I will be at Brockville for a full show, as well as the Patriot Sprint Cars. The Cornwall Motor Speedway on Sunday night will also host the same traveling Sprint Car Series and a regular show of Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks and Mini Stocks.

I hope you have enjoyed my weekly column. Any comments or suggestions can be sent to crevelle@ripnet.com or check out my new website, www.finishlinewebdesign.ca.

Photo Attachment: Mike Mainse collects first ever Sportsman win at Brockville Ontario Speedway. (Rick Young Photo)

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