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BRIAN MCDONALD NOTCH SEASON OPENING WIN AT EDELWEISS






Brian ‘’Slim’’ McDonald clinched a spot in the Victoria 200 at Fulton Speedway by scoring his first feature win of the 2004 season in the modifieds before a very large crowd of faithful Friday night at Edelweiss Speedway.



The Cornwall driver earned the right to leave from the pole after winning the first qualifying heat and took advantage of this chance by grabbing the lead at the drop of the green flag. He fought off challenge after challenge from top contenders Laurent Ladouceur and Pierre Dagenais to claim the checkered flag. Ladouceur and Dagenais ended second and third respectively after exchanging positions throughout the 50 lapper. ‘’ We had to take out the replacement car tonight as the regular car was not ready, I got to give all the credit to my crew who worked real hard to prepare for this big event’’ said McDonald while being interviewed from the winners circle. Sophomore Eric Gauvreau was fourth while Kingston’s Mark Hitchcock rounded out the top five. Dagenais and Cornwall’s Dan Jalbert were also qualifying heat winners. It also was Tammy Jalbert’s christening in the modifieds where she seemed a bit nervous but obviously able to get the job done in this category.



In the pro stock, Cornwall’s Joey Ladouceur captured top honour by surviving a late charge from Stephane Lebrun who took home second money for his effort. Cornwall Speedway promoter Ron Morin completed the podium. Michel Dupuis was fourth while Alexandria’s Marc Therrien rounded out the fast five. Ladouceur, Morin and Denis Gauvreau were the qualifying heat winners. Gauvreau who led the first seven laps got involved in a freak mishap with only two laps remaining. The Aylmer driver is suffering from a broken wrist.



John Holmes drove into win lane after a wire to wire 15-lap affair in the semi pros. The Chelsea driver left Serge Lagace and last years champion Dominic Gauvreau behind him at the finish stripe to capture the opener. Richard Brady in fourth spot and Gilles Lessard in fifth rounded out the top five. Holmes also won the qualifying heat.



In the four cylinders Carl Soucy picked up where he left off last year by blistering his way to an easy wire to wire win. Martin Jacques ended second while Patrick Legault completed the podium. Also taking home bragging rights last weekend where Wakefield’s Ryan Foley fourth and Martin Laroches who rounded out the fast five. Soucy and Jack St-Arnaud both won qualifiers.



Next program of exciting races at Edelweiss Speedway, Friday May 21 where a full program is on the slate including the first leg of the Lafrance performance for modifieds. A T-shirt will also be handed to the first 400 paying patrons, so better hurry. The green flag drops at 7:45.