EDELWEISS SPEEDWAY 358 MODIFIED MAIN TO PIERRE DAGENAIS
By: Andre Audette
Pierre ‘’The Snake’’ Dagenais was late arriving to the Val des Monts Speedway Friday night where the rest of his pit crew was impatiently waiting but his car was ready and so was he.
The veteran Gatineau driver scored his second win of the season before another large crowd of faithful by taking control of the 30 lapper very early. Leaving from post three on the starting grid Dagenais took advantage of an early restart which bounced him right on top of the 16-car field and it was a done deal from then on. ‘’The Snake’’ showed some aggressiveness right from the start and when he is aggressive, well that is very bad news for his competitors. ‘’I’m not saying this because I won but the track was in a great shape tonight. We had 16 modifieds it’s a great car count that constrains us drivers to be more aggressive’’ said a very happy winner in the post-race interview.
Smiths Falls’ Dave ‘’The Slip’’ Heaslip drove into pit lane early in the feature for some adjustments but came back strong boasting a second place at the finish stripe while Stephane Lafrance who was making a local comeback completed the podium. Defending champion Laurent Ladouceur of Alexandria was fourth and Akwasasne’s Kyle Jacob rounded out the fast five. Jacob and Peter Mantha of Hull were the qualifying heat winners.
Sophomore Clayton Benedict gave the fans their money’s worth in the Pro Stock by taking his first checkered at the Val des Monts oval. It took only three laps for the Akwasane driver to take over the lead after leaving from post five on the starting grid. Last year’s champion Stephane Lebrun of Gatineau was second and Marc Therrien of Alexandria had to settle for third best while Dominic Gauvreau and Nicolas Vaillant made up the remainder of the fast five. Claude Rochon won the preliminary qualifying heat.
Bruno Richard captured his third win of the season in the Semi Pros by taking the measure of Serge Lagace who ended up second while Denis Coderre had to settle for third best. Nicolas Gauvreau in fourth and Michel Dagenais in fifth rounded out the top five. Serge Lagace previously had won the qualifying heat.
In the four cylinders Martin Jacques had a ride in victory lane for the third time this season leaving behind him Danny Larose in second spot and last week’s wiining driver Ryan Foley of Wakefield in third. Gabriel Mercier was fourth and Gatineau’s Nico Leblanc rounded out the fast five. Martin Jacques and Carl Soucy were the qualifying heat winners.
Edelweiss Speedway returns to action next Friday night July 15 where the very popular Empire Super Sprints will be invading the Val des Monts speed grounds for their annual speed show. There is also a full and regular program including modifieds but without the Enduros on the slate. ESS will be at ES Friday so be there early. The green flag drops at 7:45.
Modifieds 30 laps : Pierre Dagenais, Dave Heaslip, Stephane Lafrance, Laurent Ladouceur, Kyle Jacob, Billy Cook, Dan Jalbert, Peter Mantha, Denis Gauvreau, Paul Pekonen, Philippe Landry, Lee Ladouceur, Eric Gauvreau, Yvon Morin, Jeff Ciglich, Pat Cashman.
Pro Stock 20 laps : Clayton Benedict, Stephane Lebrun, Marc Therrien, Dominic Gauvreau, Nicolas Vaillant, Daniel Leduc, Michel Dupuis, Claude Rochon, Eric Varin.
Semi Pros 15 laps : Bruno Richard, Serge Lagace, Denis Coderre, Nicolas Gauvreau, Michel Dagenais, Richard Brady, John Bedard, Martin Laroche, Bryan Rochon, Yan Robertson.
4 cylinders 12 laps : Martin Jacques, Danny Larose, Ryan Foley, Gabriel Mercier, Nico Leblanc, Erin Joyce, Danny Matte, Rosco Gareau, Benoit Laroche, Carl Soucy, Martin Bernard, Patrick Lafrenière