SPECTACULAR WINS FOR MIKE WOODRING AND LUKE PLANTE
GRANBY, Qué., June 22, 2003 – The thousands of fans who gathered last Friday night at Autodrome Granby were not disappointed by the performances of their favorites. In fact, they witnessed a spectacular feature race that ended with the victory of talented Mike Woodring in the ESS Series and Luke Plante in the Modified division. For Woodring, it was his first checkered flag of the season and his third straight victory at this racetrack. In other categories, the challenge was also very intense.
In the 30-lap feature for Modified, veteran driver Réal Lafrance took advantage of his third position on the starting grid to take the early lead. Lafrance who was followed by Christian Salvas at the beginning of this race, was able during the first portion of the race, to outdistance Salvas and his rivals. Then, a yellow flag on lap 11 caused by a mechanical problem to Alain Boisvert’s car took that lead away.
During Lafrance’s domination, Luke Plante who had started fourth, was able to take the second spot followed by Salvas, Clément Therrien and Richard Chauvin. Following that first of five restarts, Plante started to seriously challenge Lafrance and by lap 16, was able to pass him. Six laps later, Lafrance was back on top but, after a serious five-lap battle, Plante was able to make his last move to take the checkered flag followed by Lafrance, Steve Poirier, Claude Brouillard and Martin Roy. For Lafrance, it was his best finish since May 16 when he registered his sole win so far this season.
In that race, Steve Poirier had a quiet race after being plagued with motor problems during his qualification heat. His crew worked very hard to change the engine and in the feature race, Poirier started dead last (21st). As usual, the Teo/FM Industries driver didn’t take long to move up with the top runners and by lap 24, he was in the third sport. With a few more laps to this feature race, he could have been a serious threat to Plante and Lafrance.
Another night to forget for Clément Therrien, Ian Bussière, Mario Moreau, Alain Boisvert and Mario Lajoie who couldn’t make it to the finish line.
Earlier in the evening, Martin Roy, Luke Plante and Kayle Robidoux were the winners in their respective heats.
The 25-lap feature in the Sportsman division was also very spectacular. During that race, we had five different leaders and finally the win went to Pierre Raymond, his second of the season. Yannick Ledoux was second follwed by Jean Boissonneault.
In the Semi-Pro division, Normand Voghell, by having the best on Denis Tremblay and Alain Brochu, registered his third victory of the season while in the 4 Cylinders class, Steve Bernier was in the winner’s circle for the second program in a row.
A first one
Without a win since the beginning of the season, crowd favorite Mike Woodring took advantage of his first visit this season to Autodrome Granby to break the ice. Twelfth at the start, Woodring didn’t take long to make his way through the 25-car field. Taking advantage of for yellow flags, Woodring who claims very often that Granby is his favorite racetrack on the ESS Tour, was able to pass Dan Kaszubinski with two laps remaining. Billy Coffey, the early leader finished third while Quebecer Alain Bergeron was the 15th driver to cross the finish line. For Woodring, it was his ninth victory in 15 starts at Granby.
RESULTS
MODIFIED (30 laps) 1- 2, Luke Plante; 2- 11, Réal Lafrance; 3- 61p, Steve Poirier; 4- 3, Claude Brouillard; 5- 90, Martin Roy; 6- 8s, Christian Salvas; 7- 46, Kayle Robidoux; 8- 31, Richard Chauvin; 9- 4, Leon Gonyo; 10- 66W, Wallace Stacey; 11- 4K, Jasmin Léveillé; 12-24, Stéphane Michaud; 13- 19, Conrad St-Pierre; 14- 41, Greg Monica; 15- 39, Clément Therrien; 16- 11J, Jerry Pennonck Jr.; 17- 21, Ian Bussière; 18- 66, Mario Lajoie; 19- 5, Mario Moreau; 20- 78, Vince Quenneville Jr.; 21- 73, Alain Boisvert.