Therrien finally finds combination for victory lane at Cornwall
It has been a frustrating year for Marc Therrien. Last year`s Late Model track champion was still looking for his first win at Cornwall Motor Speedway. A little luck and a fast race car allowed Therrien to claim that elusive victory on Sunday night, July 29th. By this time last season he had already claimed 3 checkered flags in the ultra competitive Late model class.
Therrien took a wild 20 lap Late Model feature pulling away from 7 time winner this season Randy Earl after the final restart. Therrien had his share of incidents including running over a tire from another car in turn 2 but the car withstood going airborne to go the distance. Earl was headed for win number 8 until the midway point of the race when he got involved when two lapped cars came together on the back straight. He made it back out and passed everyone but Therrien. Denis Gauvreau, Dean Ranger and Joe Woods rounded out the top 5.
Brian MacDonald took his second Modified feature win of the year. MacDonald who was clicking off laps just a shade over 14 seconds found himself hanging on at the end from a hard charging Dave Heaslip. The margin was less than a car length at the checkered flag. The race was red flagged after a five car crash in turn 3 that had the car of Graham Gorman on top of two others. Gorman after a quick pit stop was actually able to continue. Stephane LaFrance was third followed by Laurent Ladouceur and Peter Mantha.
Stephane Lemire remains the car to beat in the Duke Stock. The defending champ took the 15 lap event finishing almost half a lap ahead of Greg Snyder who was impressive in his first appearance of the season. Gaetan Amesse was third. The race finished under a combination yellow and checkered after Ken Sproule hit the wall on the last lap.
Roch Aubin did a roof dance in victory lane after leading from start to finish in the 12 lap Rookie Stock event. Aubin was challenged in the final laps by Rosco Garreau who joined his fellow Alexandria driver in the celebration. Glen Dorie finished in third spot. A six lap Powder Puff event featuring 4 cylinder cars closed out the evening. Rose Archambault passed Ann Pecore on the last lap to take the victory.
Next week at Cornwall Motor Speedway will include the traditional August holiday weekend spectacular including a 50 lap Syracuse qualifier for the Modifieds plus regular events for the Late Models, Duke Stocks and Rookies. There will also be a kids tire race at the intermission. The green flag drops at 7pm on Sunday, August 5th.
Modifieds 30 laps:1. Brian MacDonald Cornwall 2. Dave Heaslip Smiths Falls 3. Stephane LaFrance Brockville 4. Laurent Ladouceur Alexandria 5. Peter Mantha Gatineau QC 6. Billy Cook Hogansburg NY 7. Bill Mullin Iroquois 8. Chico Dingwall Brockville 9. Denis Beaudoin Maniwaki QC 10. Marcel Baron Buckingham QC
Late Models 20 laps 1. Marc Therrien Alexandria 2. Randy Earl Brockville 3. Denis Gauvreau Aylmer QC 4. Dean Ranger Grenville QC 5. Joe Woods Cornwall
Duke Stocks 15 laps: 1. Stephane Lemire Drummondville QC 2. Greg Snyder Fort Covington NY 3. Gaetan Amesse St. Timothe QC 4. Randy Andre Cornwall 5. Gilles Pilon Glen Robertson
Rookie Stocks 12 laps 1. Roch Aubin Alexandria 2. Rosco Garreau Alexandria 3. Glen Dorie Williamstown 4. Kevin Jodoin Hawkesbury 5. Ron Tyo Cornwall
Heat winners
Modifieds: Laurent Ladouceur Alexandria, Brian MacDonald Cornwall, Joel Doiron Cornwall
Late Models: Louis Jackson Hogansburg NY, Mitchell Jock Akwasasne, Marc Therrien Alexandria
Duke Stock: Dan Mitchell Cornwall, Tammy Jalbert Cornwall,
Rookie Stock: Stewart Mullin Cornwall, Jason Thomas Cornwall, Chris Tremblay Cornwall