VERNON, NY-

A wild Modified feature that come down to the final turn saw Pat Ward take his second win of the season which was worth $2,000. In other action, Jeremy Pitcher took the thrilling win in the visiting 602 Crate Sportsman while Matt Janczuk grabbed another checkered in the open Sportsman main event. Pete Stefanski like victory lane so much last week he decided to visit it again this week in the Pro Stocks. The exciting night’s action was sponsored by New York Central Mutual and Joe’s Jerky.

The Modified 35 lap feature got started off with Casey Williams and Willy Decker bringing the 28 car field charging to the green flag with Decker grabbing the early advantage with Williams dropping back to the second spot. Williams would challenge Decker several times for the top spot and as the pair raced into turn four, contact between them sent Decker off the track and the ensuing penalty sent Williams to the tail of the field. Some extracurricular activity sent both drivers to the pits, with sixth place starter Mike Mahaney inheriting the lead. Once everything settled down and the green flag racing continuing, Mahaney was the leader at the halfway point over Ronnie Johnson, Pat Ward, Steve Hulsizer, and Jimmy Davis.

Johnson and Ward started to pressure Mahaney, who was looking for his first career win at the track, and the trio went three wide on several occasions for the top spot with Mahaney barely holding the edge. Lap 18 saw Johnson slip by for the lead with Ward also getting by. Mahaney would attempt to battle back, regaining second on the 19th lap. Ward would clear Mahaney again for second on lap 20 and then set off after Johnson. As the laps clicked off, Ward would gain on Johnson and even pull alongside on several occasions but Johnson was able to repel his advances. On the last lap as the duo entered turn four, Johnson went to the top side which opened the door for Ward. Ward would charge by Johnson to lead the last 100 feet to take the win in exciting fashion. Johnson had to settle for second over Mahaney, Stewart Friesen, and Davis. The top ten was filled out by Matt Sheppard, Alan Johnson, Steve Hulsizer, Mitch Gibbs, and Ryan Phelps.

The Sportsman 20 lap main event saw Jim Nagle power to the lead on lap two with a pass on opening lap pace setter Bobby Heintz as Nagle was looking to run off to his first career win. While Nagle was out front, point leader and 11th place starter Matt Janczuk was charging through the pack on his way towards the front, and on lap eight he had made his way to second. Janczuk’s charge was completed on lap 10 as he moved into the lead, dropping Nagle to second. Janczuk would run off to collect win number five on the season with Steve Way, Jeremy Vunk, Chris Mackey, and AJ Filbeck trailing.

Pole Sitter Dana Camenga led the opening circuit of the 20 lap Pro Stock feature with fourth place starter Ed Ostrander taking over on lap two. The winner from the previous week and 10th place starter, Pete Stefanski, was already making his presence felt as he made a three wide move off of turn four to grab the leader on lap five with 12th place starter and point leader Tom Denton coming with him. Denton had nothing for Stefanski however, as Stefanski ran off to his second consecutive win over Denton, Bill Knapp, Glenn Forward, and Jeff Pastorella.

Thorold, Ontario (July 28, 2012) - By Jim Irvine

Todd Gordon was the BIG Winner July 28th at Merrittville Speedway – winning his third Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature of 2012. Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Action also found Brandon Easey, Peter Reid, Josh Sliter and Rob Overholt visit Victory Lame in the MT Bellies BIG Food BIG Fun Night presented by Hingston Metal Fabricators.

“This is just awesome … I can’t thank Merrittville and everyone that does this enough … especially my crew … this is just awesome,” revealed now three time 2012 Bobcat of Hamilton 358 Modified Feature Winner Todd Gordon, “I was a little worried about the lap cars but they did a great job!”

Gordon got the jump on early leader Shayne Pierce on a lap 5 restart after third generation driver Erick Rudolph slowed with engine problems. Immediately, Gordon ran away to a comfortable lead over Rick Richner who had taken over the runner up spot. By the halfway point, Gordon had stretched his lead to some 20 car lengths with Richner having the same margin over Bill Bleich in third.

To lap 20, Richner and Bleich closed in on the leader and two laps later with Gordon into lap traffic – Richner closed right in on Gordon’s rear bumper. As quickly as that happened however, Gordon was able to put some lap cars between the two.

When they cleared the slower cars, Richner and Bleich still closed with Bleich taking over second on lap 29. Caution on lap 31 slowed the field with Gordon in control on the restart. With three laps to go Pete Bicknell was now in the runner up spot but at the finish could only close to within a couple car lengths.

Gordon and Bicknell were followed by Bleich, Chris Steele and Richner.

Friday July 27, 2012 – Malta, NY –

Kenny Tremont, Jr. is no stranger to victory lane at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway and he put into play all his years of experience to record his second win of the 2012 season at the Malta oval on Friday night.

Starting from the 14th position Tremont took over second position on lap six with a high side pass of Dustin Delaney in the new Delaney Construction No. 39 Teo Pro car and then set his sights on leader Tony Ballestero, who had started from the pole. It took only one more lap for Tremont to put the S&S Paving/Rifenburg Construction Bicknell chassis No. 115 into the lead position and then weave his way through traffic for 27 more laps to beat a fast-closing Brett Hearn in the Madsen Motorsports No. 20 and Stewart Friesen in the Jake Spraker Used Cars sponsored No. 1J.

A smiling Tremont was greeted by cheers from the crowd as he emerged from his car in victory lane. Referencing the three wide pass that put him in victory lane, Tremont stated “…you have to make a choice and you can’t hesitate once you do.”

The win earned Tremont a $2,000 paycheck that included a $500 bonus from Morris Ford, Inc. (Burnt Hills, NY).

Hearn had started the feature from 13th position and Friesen had started from 15th position and each utilized every inch of track surface to get to the front to challenge Tremont. They were thwarted by lapped traffic during the last five laps of racing, unable to catch Tremont, and settled for second and third spots respectively.

Finishing in fourth was Dustin Delaney followed by JaMike Sowle’s best run to date for his fifth place finish. The two young guns gained valuable experience following the three veteran drivers who raced in front of them for over 20 laps.

Rounding out the top ten in the Modified division were Ronnie Johnson, Bodie Bellinger, Elmo Reckner, Jimmy Cottrell and Matt DeLorenzo.

In 1999 the Albany-Saratoga Speedway set a record of 17 consecutive events, and that record was tied this night. Fans and track management are very hopeful that this coming Friday night will see that record broken and a new one established.

The 25-lap LebanonValley/Albany-Saratoga Sportsman Challenge Race produced another first time winner at the Malta oval with Brian Gleason recording his first win in the BBL Construction/ShopRite No. 14G Teo Pro car. Gleason, a recent high school graduate, took the lead on lap five and never looked back while working his way through lapped traffic.

Jeremy Pitts challenged Gleason for most of the feature event, ready to spring into the first spot should the No. 14G make a mistake. That mistake never happened and Pitts had to settle for a second place run followed by Ken Aanonsen Jr. in third, Adam McAuliffe in fourth and Tim Hartman, Jr. in fifth. High point man Bobby Hackel IV finished in the sixth position.

AKWESASNE, NY – By Tim Baltz 

With only 4 weeks left in the regular season at the Mohawk International Raceway the points battle are heating up and so was the action on the race track. And with Hot Country 96.5 and 94.7 Hits FM as the nights sponsor it was sure to be a great show.

The night kicked off with round #2 of the St. Lawrence Seaway Sportsman Series. Josh VanBrocklin and Dan Jalbert led the field of 30 to the green flag with VanBrocklin getting the early advantage into turn #1 with Corey Wheeler, Chris Herbison and Dana Aikens filling out the top 5. Caution would come out for the first time on lap 3 as Jonathan Ferguson and Billy Cook came to a halt on the backstretch. Racing action continued on as VanBrocklin continued to hold the top spot with Wheeler, Herbison Jalbert and Dylan Evoy now making up the top 5. Jalbert’s night came to an end quickly as he broke a front end bringing the yellow back out on lap 8. On the restart VanBrocklin continued to lead the field with Evoy making his way to 2nd as Herbison, Louie Jackson Jr. and Cory Winters rounded out the top 5. The yellow came back out as Billy Cook slowed on the backstretch, at the same time Rick Miller had a fire in his car in turn 4. Rick was unhurt and was able to return to action. Once the race got going VanBrocklin was showing his muscle but Dylan Evoy was making some noise of his own as he powered to the inside of VanBrocklin to take over the lead on lap 21 with Herbison, Jackson and now Brent Kelsey making up the top 5. The yellow came back out on the field on lap 30 for Thomas Cook who collected a tire on the front stretch and nearly rolled over. He was ok and able to continue on. On the restart Evoy charged out in front and was on cruise control looking to run away from everyone else. On lap 37 the final caution of the race came out for Jenna David who charge from 16th to 6th, as she hit the wall on the front stretch ending her shot at a great finish. When the green flag came out Evoy started to lose the handling a bit and VanBrocklin made one last move off turn 4 on the bottom but Dylan Evoy held on for win #7 and 17th of his Mohawk career putting him atop the all time Sportsman feature win list. Herbison, Kelsey and Mike Arquiett rounded out the top 5.

The 358 Modifieds were set for 25 laps of fast paced action as Tom Conklin and Tim O’Brien led the field into turn 1 with O’Brien gaining the top spot as Brian McDonald, Roy Delormier and Perry Francis filled out the top 5 early on. On lap 4 Carey Terrance spun to a stop in turn 4 nearly collecting Matt Billings. On the restart O’Brien continued his great run with Laurent Ladouceur, Chris Raabe, Conklin and Billy Dunn who came up from 15th starting spot to round out the top 5. Ladouceur and Tim O’Brien opened up a comfortable cushion on the field as just behind them Brian McDonald, Roy Tarbell, Billy Dunn and Matt Billings put on a show exchanging spots several times until lap 17 as McDonald’s great run came to an end as he broke coming off turn 2. Under the same caution Casey Swamp also made contact with the back stretch wall breaking his front end. When the green came out the Laurent Ladouceur had grabbed the lead with O’Brien feeling the pressure from Ladouceur and teammate Billy Dunn. On lap 20 Dunn found the top side was the fastest way around as he shot to the lead in turn 1 and held off a late race charge from Ladouceur to grab his 4th win of the season with Tim O’Brien, Raabe and Danny O’Brien making up the top 5 at the checkers.

The TUSA Mod Lite Series took to the speedway for 25 laps of wild action. With a redraw taking place after the heats, Dan Kirving and last weeks winner Paul Klager led the field of 21 to the green with Klager jumping out in front. Klager would pull away from the rest of the field but the real story was just behind him as Mathieu Robinson used the top side of the speedway to move from 10th to 2nd by lap 9 with Scott Waldorff, Jeff May and Bryan Green Giving chase. The caution flew on lap 10 for Matt Chontosh who spun in turn 4. On the restart Klager continued to lead with Bryan Green running 2nd as Mathieu Robinson started to backslide through the field. On lap 16 a violent wreck on the back stretch saw Robinson Spin coming off turn 2 while running 4th. Rejean Lemieux slammed into Robinson sending him flipping down the back stretch. Lemieux was taken in the ambulance for observation but was ok. Robinson amazingly was able to continue on in the event. On the restart Klager used what he learned 1 week ago to hold off Bryan Green and Jeff May for his 2nd win in a row with Waldorff and Jim Bogett rounding out the top 5.

In the Pro Stock division Dion Oakes was looking to get back to victory lane for the first time since May as he paced the field for the opening 7 laps with PJ Peters, Roch Aubin, Stephane Lebrun and Allen Peters chasing him down. The first caution came out on lap 12 for Allen Peters who got turned on the front stretch. On the Restart PJ Peters was tired of being the chaser as he charged to the top side and drover by Oakes to grab the top spot away. On lap 15 the final yellow came out for Marc Lalonde who made contact with the backstretch wall ending his great top 5 run. On the final restart Dion Oakes and Stephane Lebrun had nothing left for Peters as he cruised to his 2nd win of 2012. Jody Swamp and Owen White rounded out the top 5.

In the Bandits division opening day winner Corey Castell was looking to get his season back on track as he paced the field for the first 8 laps of the event until points leader Mathieu Aubin was able to wrestle the lead away with Jean Marc Larose, Matt Zira and Darryl Mitchell completing the top 5. Late in the going Larose would give Aubin everything he could handle but was not to be denied as he Mathieu Aubin scored his 2nd win in a row and 4th of the season with Castell, Zira and Stuart Mossow who recovered from early race troubles to finish 5th.

FULTON, NY - July 28, 2012 (By Dave Medler) -

Sometimes a new car is just what the Doctor ordered, for Ryan Phelps that holds true. In two starts at the Fulton Speedway with his new Bicknell, Phelps has a second place and now a trip to victory lane in the Tracey Road Equipment Big Block Modifieds.

Phelps, who started twelfth in the 35 lap feature, steadily worked his way forward on the quick and multi-groove racing surface getting by Chuck Bower at the halfway point for the lead. Once out front, Phelps held off a few challenges from Bower before pulling away for the three-second victory.

With his win Ryan Phelps now has a guaranteed starting spot for the prestigious $20,000-to-win Sunoco Fulton Ethanol Facility Outlaw 200 by SUNY Canton on Saturday, September 29th.

Other winners on Parts Plus Night were, Jim Spano, SUNY Canton Sportsman, Sean Beardsley, NAPA Late Models, Kyle Fink, E&V Energy Novice Sportsman, Jeff Isabell Jr., Mod Lites and Matt Dawson, Parts Plus Four Cylinder Stocks.

Shane Donath and Jim Witko Jr. brought the 25 car Modified field down to the green with Donath out running the field to lead the opening lap of the 35 lap feature.

Matt Hulsizer went right to the top of the speedway at the drop of the green, and was able to bolt by Donath to be scored the new leader on lap 4.

On lap 10 with two-three wide racing throughout the pack, it looked like Chuck Bower was shot out of a cannon as he blasted by Hulsizer into the lead before a quick yellow slowed the action.

With 15 laps showing on the scoring tower, Bower held a slight advantage over Hulsizer and Ryan Phelps as they fought nose to tail and side at the front of the field. Witko and Tim Sears Jr. showed in the top-five.

On lap 18 with his car working anywhere he put it, Phelps went from third to the lead when they hit the start, finish line.

With 20 laps showing on the scoring tower, Phelps and Bower ran bumper to bumper, with Hulsizer right there ready to pounce on any mistake by the top-two. Just behind the top-three, Witko, Jimmy Phelps and Billy Decker who started at the back of the field, were in their own battle for positions.

BREWERTON, NY - July 27, 2012 (By Dave Medler) -

Billy Decker took advantage of a late yellow and a pass for the lead getting around Jim Witko Jr. on lap 30.Once in the lead, Decker drove away to win the 35 Tracey Road Equipment Big Block Modified Feature Friday night at the Brewerton Speedway.

It was Decker's second win of the year at the "D-Shaped Dirt Demon". Decker is now in second place in the point standings, and trails Jimmy Phelps by 28, with only five point races left in the 2012 season.

Other winners on The Waterfront/Calypso Cay Restaurants/Home Depot Kids Workshop Night were, Ryan Scott, Nationwide Insurance IMCA Modifieds, Jeff Isabell Jr., Beaver River Distribution Mod Lites and Stephen Denton, Anchor Bar & Grill Four Cylinder Super Stocks.

Jim Witko Jr. and Mike Bowman led the 26 car field down to starter Dave Farney's green flag that saw Witko grab the early advantage in the 35 lap Big Block Modified feature, before a quick yellow on the opening lap, that saw Steve Hulsizer and Willy Decker head pit side with mechanical problems.

On the restart, Witko still led, but Larry Wight went to the top of the speedway to drive around Witko to be shown as the new leader on lap 4.

With 10 laps showing on the scoring tower, Wight was still running the cushion, as he opened a straightaway lead on the field. Witko,Bowman and Mike Mahaney ran in a tight pack, fighting for second, with Chuck Bower a few car lengths back in fifth.

On lap 15, with no yellows to slow the pace down, Wight was on rails, as he started catching the back of the field. Witko, Bowman, Mahaney and Billy Decker were slugging it out for second through fifth.

When the scoring tower read lap 20, Wight was still on cruise control out front, with Witko alone in second. Bowman, Mahaney, Decker and Dan Vauter, fought nose to tail and side by side for third through sixth.

With 10 laps to go, Wight was working on putting cars a lap down, and that allowed Witko to cut into Wight's lead. Behind the top-two, Bowman, Decker and Mahaney were still battling it out in the top-five.

On lap 28 the whole complexion of the race changed. Wight, who was trying to put a car a lap down going into turn three that saw the back-marker and Wight make contact, sending Wight around and bringing out the yellow.

When the green came back out, Witko still led as Decker looked for a way around Witko in the dash to the finish. On lap 30, Decker found the bite he needed on the bottom as he drove by Witko into the lead.

Over the remaining laps, nobody had anything for Decker, as he drove away for the win. Jim Witko Jr., Robbie Bellinger, who started eleventh, Mike Bowman and Mike Mahaney rounded out the top-five.

Courtesy www.360nitro.com - translated by google translate

By Rejean Ouellet

The holidays are started and has been since last Friday when I went to the Autodrome Granby and the next day at Autodrome Drummond to watch two racing programs and in particular two confrontations with final 100 laps in Mods 358; two beautiful final which saw Kayle Robidoux and Mario Clair win and I'm sure fans will remember so much, and both finals were played at a cracking pace.

The fans were invited in addition to two other confrontations of 100 laps but this time fans were entitled to Mods large blocks. Monday evening, about 5:30 p.m., Ulverton, I headed to the Autodrome Granby as the sky darkened visibly while my car radio let me hear him gnashing certainly caused by lightning in the distance ; my decision was that of making a 180 degrees and return to the cottage where I was expecting a great meal.

Today, Tuesday, here I am at Autodrome Drummond hoping to attend a real good race with several large blocks, not "backup" with drivers "no name" and of course all swollen with 358 Mods that is known very well here. Who will be the winner of the evening? Who will be the best Big Block Quebecois? Of which 358 come out with the best record? The answer in a few hours .....

The evening began to schedule 100 laps in Big Block Modified and Sportsman for the final 25 laps and pro-stock for 20 laps

QUALIFICATIONS WON BY: # 20 Brett Hearn / # 98H Jimmy Phelps / # 9S Matt Shepperd / # 21A Peter Britten 

Time-Trial Mod: Yan Bussiere # 21 with a time of 18,144 dry. and a speed of 170 km/h. Consolation Mod 10 laps: # 37 Paul St. Sauveur / # 8 Rich Scagliotta.

Sportsman: Rene Clair # 22 / # 6 Martin Landry / # 1M Mathieu Desjardins.

Pro-Stock: # 48 Jocelyn Roy

THE FINAL

MODS 100 laps.... Following the usual qualifications, in both events and the consolation draw before the platform, the team of Yan Bussiere is on track and working to provide pilots with an exemplary track, which is ultimately about departure is announced by the announcer Anthony Marcotte and we saw the front line of the # 54 point guard Steve Bernard at the bottom of points in Drummondville with Jimmy Phelps # 98h at his side; Yan Bussiere was leaving for his part in 4th place . Clement Therrien # 39 in ninth position and David Hebert # 1 hour in 12th place. We had to wait until the 26th place to finally hear the name of Mario Clair # 22c which has suffered its share of trouble and damage during his qualification, he owes his starting place following his performance in consolation.

Green is lowered from the top of the main tower in the roar of powerful engines and the action takes place in the curve # 1. Steve Bernard manages to maintain its position as the first thanks to its outstanding flying skills but Phelps close behind and is now in Bussière and Hearn to win and get closer to the leader, we are in the 25th lap and Jimmy Phelps is now the new leader, the second position # 54 and neutralization is required due to trouble with the voluble Alain Boisvert. David Hebert and Doctor J for leave well; recovery and now we see Brett Hearn occupy the second place and # 9s Matt Sheppard 4th place. A few other reminders are held at which time Clement Therrien # 39 is the best of us.

This is the 65th passage the idol of many, Brett Hearn took the lead group and is struggling with Sheppard and Phelps for the podium positions; problems for # 54 Bernard, who retired to the pits while Dominic Dufault # 63 is the new best Quebec. Several laps go by and it was then that in an effort at all times Sheppard managed to take inside and Hearn became the man to beat, Hearn and Dale Planck # 77 followed in the order and it is Finally on this note that the 100 laps to complete.

It was the fourth victory in life and Matt Sheppard Drummond and took the first place overall in the series.