ROOKIE WAYNE SIDE PICKS UP 358 WIN AT CAN-AM
LAFARGEVILLE, NY: A excellent crowd filled the grandstands this past Saturday at the Can-Am Speedway on Snap-On Tools/Rt. 37 Building Supply night. Fans enjoyed great side by side racing in all five divisions highlighted by the win of rookie Wayne Side in the 358 DIRT Modified feature.
Side and Bob Bennett brought the field down for the drop of the green flag and Side wasted little time jumping out to the early lead. While Side settled into the top spot cousins Lee and Bill Gill made their way up to second and third by lap 3. Lee Gill would be the first to challenge for the lead but it was Bill Gill who wrestled the lead away from Side on lap 10. Gill began to pull away but just three laps later slowed bringing out the yellow and handing the lead back over to Side. It was now last weeks winner Danny O'Brien sitting in second and ready to spoil Sides night. O'Brien tried a number of different line trying to get by for the lead but on lap 18 Frank Caprara moved past O'Brien. With Side out in front the battle for second heated up and O'Brien regained the advantage on lap 20. With the white flag waving O'Brien and Caprara were all over the rear bumper of the Side number 32. As they came off of turn four for the checkers O'Brien made one last charge at the win but this was to be Wayne Sides night as he held on for the win over O'Brien, Caprara, Lee Gill and Billy Wilcox. With this weeks 358 win Side as picked up Can-Am Speedway wins in the Pure Stocks, Late Models, Dirt Sportsman and now the 358 DIRT Modifieds.
The 15 lap DIRT Sportsman feature came to the green with Mike Watkins and Anthony Fiorentino showing the way, but it was Scott MacCue charging from his 4th starting position to take the lead at the end of lap 1. MacCue held the lead through some early cautions but on lap 5 Lance Willix moved by MacCue for the top spot. His lead would last just one lap as MacCue moved back out front on lap 6 then it was Ben Tucker out front on lap 7. The leaders would swap the lead back and forth on every lap until they cam around to complete lap13. MacCue slowed bringing out the caution and before the restart could take place Tucker went to the pits with a flat rear tire, this handed the lead back over Willix who went the rest of the way for his second win of the season at Can-Am. Scott Britton came across second followed by Dave Surace, Adam Moore and RJ Gibbons.
Jamie Platt and Kevin Chant set the pace for the 15 lap IMCA Modified feature with Chant grabbing the lead. Chant looked very strong at the front of the field with his first challenge coming from Neal Edgar. the lead would change on lap 7 when Edgar powered past for the lead. Edgar looked to be on his way to his second win of the year but on lap 10 Edgar slowed off of turn 4. Kevin Battelle went around the troubled Edgar car to take over the top spot. Battelle went on for the win over Larry Bezner, Chant, Cory Fachini and Ken Partridge.
The 12 lap Street Stock feature saw Andy Wells grab the lead from his front row starting spot. Wells was over taken on lap 2 by Bryan Rogers who would lead until lap 7 when Bill Eisele moved around and into the lead. The 12 lap distance would go caution free with Eisele picking up the win over Rogers, Laurie Handschuh, Lance Lalonde and Steve Rookey.
A full 24 car field took the green for the 10 lap IMCA Hobby Stock feature with Elmer Perry and Steve Gilmore sitting in the front row. The beginning of the event was plagued by caution after caution. When they finally got to racing Perry managed to stay out in front first over Chris Warner II then it was point leader Mark Webb. Perry lead the entire distance but later disqualified for illegal tires. Kim Mallette came across in second and was credited with her second win in a row. Webb was second followed by Mike Baltz, Gilmore and Scott Castor.
Next Saturday night will be another complete show for all five divisions plus the first Ladies Powder Puff of the season. Also coming up on Thursday June 22nd will be the annual Pabst Shoot-Out for 358 DIRT Modifieds plus the ESS Sprint cars and IMCA Modifieds. Plan now for the biggest event of the year at Can-Am. For more information call the speedway at (315) 658-4431.
SNAP-ON DEALERS/RT. 37 BUILDING SUPLPY
358 DIRT MODIFIED: Wayne Side, Danny O'Brien, Frank Caprara, Lee Gill, Billy Wilcox, Pat O'Brien, Dale Eggleston, Scott Parliament, Ryan Bartlett, Bob Bennett, Steve Roberts, Rich Amo, George Horning, Brent Cross, Steve Bilow, Bill Gill, George McIntyre, Pat Sullivan, Greg Meeks, John Ramsey DNS: Larry Welling
DIRT SPORTSMAN: Lance Willix, Scott Britton, Dave Surace, Adam Moore, RJ Gibbons, Scott MacCue, Matt Butler, Anthony Fiorentino, Mike Watkins, Curt Cartwright, Jody Spooner, Scott Schara, Kyle Sharp, Larry Lamb, Ben Tucker, Bill Bourquin, Darrin Cantallier, Kyle Wilson, Andrew Howard
IMCA MODIFIED: Kevin Battelle, Larry Bezner, Kevin Chant, Cory Fachini, Ken Partridge, Rick Dusckas, Mark Chrzanowski, Ken Klinkowsky, Charlie Miller, Neal Edgar, Jim Graves, Jamie Platt
STREET STOCK: Bill Eisele, Bryan Rogers, Laurie Handschuh, Lance Lalonde, Steve Rookey, Andy Wells, Chris Taylor, Clint Middlemiss
IMCA HOBBY STOCK: Kim Mallette, Mark Webb, Mike Baltz, Steve Gilmore, Scott Castor, Charles Duffany, Keith Rabetoy, Jason Gilmore, Les Sanford, Shane Ray, Billy Gardner Sr., George Sanford, Rick Paige, Jeff Chapin, Chris Warner II, George Savage, Phil Desormeau, Chris Warner, Jeff Shannon DNS: Kevin Duffany DSQ: Elmer Perry, Don Scales, Joseph Combs