Polewarczyk Rolls to Spring Green Victory at Airborne Park Speedway
Gonyo dominates Modified feature; Terry, O’Neil grab wins
PLATTSBURGH, NY – Joey Polewarczyk Jr. continued his mastery of Airborne Park Speedway on Sunday, May 17 with a convincing victory in the American-Canadian Tour’s Bill McBride Chevrolet Spring Green presented by Interstate Batteries. The race, postponed one day by inclement weather, was worth the wait as the Hudson, NH driver put on a show at the front of the field with Patrick Laperle.
The pair battled for the majority of the 115-lap race and traded the lead three times. Polewarczyk dogged his St-Denis, QC rival and made the winning move at lap 82, then pulled away in the final circuits for his fourth ACT win at Airborne since October 2011. Laperle settled for second and was the highest finishing Canadian; in addition to being the fourth event of the U.S.-based ACT Late Model Tour schedule, the Spring Green opened the championship schedule for the Québec-based Série ACT as well as the Québec Triple Crown Series at Airborne.
Travis Stearns of Auburn, ME won a long battle with Airborne opening night Ground Round Late Model division Bobby Therrien of Hinesburg, VT for third place. Jean-François Déry of Québec City was fifth. Wayne Helliwell Jr. finished sixth, followed by Brian Hoar, Rowland Robinson Jr., Nick Sweet, and Jeff White.
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series presented by Yandow Sales & Service and John Deere was also in action with three divisions. Leon Gonyo dominated the 35-lap feature for the J&S Steel Modified division to take his first victory of the season. The race ran flag-to-flag without a caution period, allowing the Chazy, NY veteran to stretch out to a comfortable lead and cruise to the win.
Jamie LaFountain had a strong run in second place end early as his car overheated, making way for an airtight battle between Codie Aubin and Jason Durgan. Hometown driver Aubin beat Durgan in a drag race off the final corner for the runner-up position. Greg Atkins came through traffic at mid-race to finish fourth, and Vince Quenneville Jr. held off Nick Heywood and Bucko Branham for fifth place. Rookies Danny Sullivan and Timex Morgan came from deep in the field to finish eighth and ninth, respectively, and Jayson Criss completed the top 10.
Atkins took over the lead in the Yandow Sales & Service/John Deere “Spring Championship Series” after the third of seven races. Heywood trails by just two points, 153-151, with Quenneville, Durgan, and Gonyo close behind. The next event is at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT on Saturday, May 23.
The Key R-D Trailer Sales Renegade feature was the wildest race of the day with three late-race cautions and several lead changes. Josh Terry of Essex, NY won after a long battle with Brent Jarvis and a final-lap surge from Shawn Duquette. Morrisonville, NY veteran Duquette finished second; Jarvis crossed the line in third place but failed post-race inspection with an unapproved transmission part. Richie Turner, from 17th starting position, inherited the final podium spot followed by Zack Daniels and Robert Gordon.
Dale O’Neil of Mooers, NY continued a strong start to his season by winning the 15-lap feature for the Busch Beer Mini-Modifieds; he also won a main event at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on May 9. Kris Clark was stripped of his apparent runner-up finish in the inspection line for too much wheel camber. Chris LaVair moved up into second place ahead of Pete Blaney, Tim LaFountain, and Tyler Irwin.
Airborne Park Speedway returns to action on Saturday night, May 30 as Casella and Morrisonville Septic present double features for the Modified division and a 50-lap Enduro event. The Renegades and Mini-Modifieds will also run under the lights. General admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and free for children age 12 and under; racing will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Airborne Park Speedway is located on Broderick Road in Plattsburgh, NY, one mile south of Exit 36 on the Interstate 87 Northway. Visit www.airborneparkspeedway.com for more information, or call (518) 647-4444. Airborne Park Speedway is on Facebook at Facebook.com/AirborneParkSpeedway and on Twitter at @AirborneSpeed.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Bill McBride Chevrolet Spring Green presented by Interstate Batteries
Airborne Park Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY
American-Canadian Tour/Série ACT-Québec
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series presented by Yandow Sales & Service and John Deere
Sunday, May 17, 2015
American-Canadian Tour Late Model Feature (115 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown-Laps Completed
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (3) Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, NH – 115
2. (5) Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, QC – 115
3. (2) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME – 115
4. (8) Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT – 115
5. (12) Jean-François Déry, Québec, QC – 115
6. (13) Wayne Helliwell Jr., Dover, NH – 115
7. (11) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT – 115
8. (4) Rowland Robinson Jr., Steuben, ME – 115
9. (14) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT – 115
10. (7) Jeff White, Winthrop, ME – 115
11. (6) Brandon Atkins, Au Sable Forks, NY – 115
12. (1) Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT – 115
13. (16) Brad Babb, Windham, ME – 115
14. (18) Kyle Welch, Newport, NH – 114
15. (10) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT – 114
16. (24) Patrick Cliche, Lévis, QC – 114
17. (15) # Rich Dubeau, Plainfield, NH – 114
18. (28) Dany Trepanier, St-Edouard, QC – 114
19. (19) Mike Ziter, Barre, VT – 114
20. (21) Claude Leclerc, Lanoraie, QC – 114
21. (9) Karl Allard, St-Félicien, QC – 114
22. (27) Gaetan Gaudreault, Québec, QC – 113
23. (25) Matt Anderson, Franklin, NH – 113
24. (20) Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY – 105
25. (22) Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME – 94
26. (26) Charles Harvey, Terrebonne, QC – 80
27. (23) Jonathan Bouvrette, Blainville, QC – 73
28. (17) Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT – 42
Did Not Start: Martin Goulet Jr., Mascouche, QC
Lap Leaders: Josh Masterson, 0; Travis Stearns, 1; Masterson, 2-24; Joey Polewarczyk Jr., 25-44; Patrick Laperle, 45-81; Polewarczyk, 82-115. (5 lead changes among 4 drivers)
Cautions: 3 (Laps 42, 44, 44)
Heat Winners: Patrick Laperle, Brandon Atkins, Jeff White
Consi Winners: Rowland Robinson, Jr., Jean-François Déry
J&S Steel Modified Feature (35 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (1) Leon Gonyo, Chazy, NY
2. (6) Codie Aubin, Plattsburgh, NY
3. (8) Jason Durgan, Morrisonville, NY
4. (9) Greg Atkins, Clintonville, NY
5. (7) Vince Quenneville, Jr., Brandon, VT
6. (12) Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, NY
7. (17) Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY
8. (15) # Danny Sullivan, Morrisonville, NY
9. (18) # Timex Morgan, Plattsburgh, NY
10. (5) Jayson Criss, Plattsburgh, NY
11. (10) Speedy Bresette, Plattsburgh, NY
12. (16) # Jamy Begor, Mooers Forks, NY
13. (4) Chris Frennier, West Chazy, NY
14. (11) Dave Snow, Brandon, VT
15. (14) # David Bourgeois, Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Conseil, QC
16. (2) Jamie LaFountain, Keeseville, NY
17. (13) # Wesley Mooney, Morrisonville, NY
18. (3) Eric Lauziere, St-Cyrille-de-Wendover, QC
19. (19) Mike Wells, West Chazy, NY
Heat Winners: Leon Gonyo, Jamie LaFountain
Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Hot Shoe Challenge Award: Leon Gonyo
Ernie’s Discount Tools Rookie of the Race: Danny Sullivan
Shiley Fabrication Hard Charger Award: Bucko Branham
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: Jamie LaFountain
Key R-D Trailer Sales Renegade Feature (25 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (2) Josh Terry, Essex, NY
2. (10) Shawn Duquette, Morrisonville, NY
3. (17) Richie Turner, Fairfax, VT
4. (1) Zack Daniels, Plattsburgh, NY
5. (11) Robert Gordon, Milton, VT
6. (5) Jason McClatchie, Plattsburgh, NY
7. (8) Jimmy Bushey, Mooers Forks, NY
8. (7) Dylan Rabtoy, Swanton, VT
9. (9) Jim McKiernan, Moriah Center, NY
10. (14) Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, VT
11. (19) # Michael Wright, Alburgh, VT
12. (4) Jon Boutin, St. Albans, VT
13. (15) Keith O’Neil, Mooers, NY
14. (12) Andrew Bordeau, Dannemora, NY
15. (20) # Matt Monaghan, Colchester, VT
16. (13) Curt Giventer, Saranac, NY
17. (18) # Tony Salerno, Mineville, NY
18. (3) Zach Rabtoy, Fairfax, VT
19. (16) Robin Cummings, Milton, VT
Disqualified: (6) Brent Jarvis, Peru, NY
Heat Winners: Zack Daniels, Josh Terry, Jimmy Bushey
Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Hot Shoe Challenge Award: Josh Terry
Ernie’s Discount Tools Rookie of the Race: Michael Wright
Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award: Richie Turner
Busch Beer Mini Modified Feature (15 laps)
Pos.-(Start)-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)
1. (5) Dale O’Neil, Mooers, NY
2. (2) Chris LaVair, Saranac Lake, NY
3. (6) Pete Blaney, Jay, NY
4. (4) Tim LaFountain, Keeseville, NY
5. (12) Tyler Irwin, Peru, NY
6. (10) Harold LaVair, Jr., Gabriels, NY
7. (11) John McCarron, Rensselaer, NY
8. (9) Robert Foley, Saranac, NY
9. (7) Steven Hemingway, Sr., Plattsburgh, NY
10. (1) Dave Demore, Isle LaMotte, VT
11. (8) Mike Bresette, Plattsburgh, NY
12. (13) # Rick Welch, Champlain, NY
13. (14) # John See, Plattsburgh, NY
14. (15) Eddie Bresette, Plattsburgh, NY
15. (16) Mike Whalen, Jr., Peru, NY
Disqualified: (3) Kris Clark, Keeseville, NY
Heat Winners: Dale O’Neil, Kris Clark
Lenny’s Shoe & Apparel Hot Shoe Challenge Award: Dale O’Neil
Ernie’s Discount Tools Rookie of the Race: Rick Welch
Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award: Tyler Irwin
Sources: Justin St. Louis/Airborne Park Speedway PR