ALAN JOHNSON TAKES 358 MODIFIED SUPER DIRT SERIES RACE AT FROGTOWN
Alan Johnson of Phelps, New York has been the toughest driver on the DIRT circuit this season and continued his winning ways by besting an all star 358 Modified field to win the 15th running of the Budweiser 100 sponsored by A&M Beverage of Malone, New York.
Frogtown Speedway regular Mark Hitchcock started on the pole for the event and jumped out to an early lead only to have problems send him to the pits on lap #15 of the event. Dale Planck grabbed the lead after a lap #16 restart and lead for most of the way followed by Alan Johnson, Pierre Dagenais, Dave Heaslip and Brian McDonald. Both Johnson and Planck staged a great two-car battle for a while with Planck eventually putting some distance and lap cars between he and Johnson.
With 15 laps remaining, Brian McDonald of Cornwall, Ontario made his move on the lead cars. McDonald made some great moves to get by both Dagenais and Heaslip and then set his sights on the leaders. McDonald eventually caught the two toughest competitors in the series and made it a great three-car battle for the lead. McDonald got a great bite in turns 1 and 2 and tried to get by both Planck and Johnson for the lead. McDonald got a nose in front of Planck for the lead coming out of turn 2 but Planck got a better bite coming out and started to drive away with Johnson right behind.
With ten laps to go, "A.J." made his move and passed Planck for the lead and his 2nd Budweiser 100 win of his career at Frogtown. Dale Planck finished 2nd with Matt Sheppard getting by Brian McDonald to pick up 3rd. Brian settled for fourth with the Canadian longtime veteran Dave Heaslip finishing 5th. Thirty-nine cars signed in to compete in the event with 32 cars taking the green.
In the DIRT Pro Stock Budweiser A&M Beverage 20 lap main event, it was Akwesasne’s P.J. Peters finally picking up the win that has eluded him all season.
Peters started on the front row with Tim Allen and grabbed the early lead. Jason Gabrielle came charging up through from his #6 starting spot and began to challenge Peters for the top spot. John Lazore, Jody Swamp and eventually young Pro Stock standout Clayton Benedict joined the hunt that made it a five-car battle with just one lap to go. Gabrielle pulled along side twice on the last lap but when they crossed the line, it was Peters who claimed the win and the Budweiser trophy. Jason Gabrielle finished second with John Lazore, Jody Swamp and Clayton Benedict rounding out the top five.
In the Semi Pro Division, Steven Brand was able to go anywhere on the race track with his car it seemed and held off Dion Oakes to win the Semi Pro main event. Kevin Fetterly, Jr. finished 3rd with Carey Terrance and Craig Reyell rounding out the top five.
In the Bandit Division it was, yes you guessed it, Billy "Woo Woo" Woodward, Jr. with yet another victory at Frogtown. Woodward battled early with a very competitive Jeb Beeson for the lead but in lap #6, Woodward got by for the win. Beeson had to settle for second with Nick Mallette, Stuart Mossow and Robert Bolia rounding out the top five.
In the Enduro class, Brandon Snyder made it three in a row at "The Frog" by edging Scott Mere for the win. Mere picked up second with Ricky Thompson getting up for third.
Racing at the speedway will resume on Saturday night August 23rd with the DIRT Pro Stock Super DIRT Series making a stop at the speedway that will feature a 50 lap Empire Sports Network / Kanienkahaka Fuels Main Event. The 358 Modifieds, Semi Pros, Bandits and Enduro class cars will also be on the card. Pit gates open at 5:30 p.m., main grandstand gates will open at 6:00 p.m. and the first race will get underway at 7:00 p.m. sharp.
You can visit us on the World Wide Web at www.frogtownspeedway.net for more information. SEE YOU AT THE FROG!
Modified: Alan Johnson, Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Brian McDonald, Dave Heaslip, Pierre Dagenais, Tim Fuller, Todd Burley, Kyle Jacobs, Mike Perrotte, Leon Gonyo, Alex Hoag, Perry Francis, Mike Reyell, Jeff Marshall, Kevin Fetterly, Dan Jalbert, Chad Brachmann, Mark Hitchcock, Jeff Sykes, Stephane LaFrance, Matt Butler, Billy Cook, Kayle Rabidoux, Al Jacobs, Randy Chrysler, Greg Monica, Stewart Fresien, Dan Douville, George McIntyre, Doug Fuller and Ron White. DNQ: Tom Jock, Jr., Matt Gonyo, Mark Smoke, Jamie Martin, Delbert LeGrow, Bruce Sawyer and Roy Tarbell.
Pro Stock: PJ Peters, Jason Gabrielle, John Lazore, Jody Swamp, Clayton Benedict, Louie Jackson, Dave Bissonnette, Travis Back, Roy Delormier, Adam Chapman, Pete Backus, Jason Fetterly, Tim Allen, Scott Kocher, Roger Chrysler, Francis Allen, Tammy Jalbert, Mitchell Jock, Melvin Rush, Joel Herne, Bryan Loeb, Casey Swamp and Junior Barnes.
Semi Pro: Steven Brand, Dion Oakes, Kevin Fetterly, Jr., Carey Terrance, Craig Reyell, Dick Planty, Aaron Day, Terry Ladouceur, Ryan Phillips, Craig Donnelly, Robbie Ezard, Scott Mere, Marc Ladouceur, John Bashaw, Mike Allen, Dale Seymour, Chris Rabideau, Mike McDonald, Chad Vallance, Mike David, #10, Harvey Arquette, Jr. and Ghislain Valade. DNS: Kevin Mayville, Greg Ezard, Erick L’Ecuyer, Tylor Terry and Caleb Bradley.
Bandit: Billy Woodward, Jr., Jeb Beeson, Nick Mallette, Stuart Mossow, Robert Bolia, Jamie Adlangen, Trevor White, Dudes Thompson, David Page, Leonard Duval, Dan Lortie, Adam Bandy, Bob Ray, Deric Ellsworth, Kevin Mere, Trevor Jones, Ernie Cree, Bobby Lavair, Joey Foster and Larry Lapage.
Enduro: Brandon Snyder, Scott Mere, Ricky Thompson, Tyson Cole, Matt Dupra, Steve Green, Konke Lazore, Steve Bushey, Jr., Donald Delormier, Francis Thompson, #003, Leon Delormier, John McCarthy, #22, Kevin Thompson, #17 and Rock Niles. DNS: Tom Square, Corey Edwards, Matt Langdon, Tony Arquette, Chad Shantie and Darryl Mitchell.