DAVE HEASLIP WINS MEMORIAL CUP 50
Hogansburg, NY ... Dave Heaslip of Smith Falls, Ontario came all the way from the back of the field after an early race spin to become the first three time winner of the Memorial Cup 50 lap Syracuse qualifier sponsored by Frenchie's Chevrolet-Olds in Massena.
Brian "Slim" McDonald and Dan Jalbert started on the front row of the main event with McDonald grabbing the early lead followed by Jalbert, Dave Heaslip, Perry Francis and Boomer McIntyre. McDonald was determined to hang on to the lead and not let this Memorial Cup race get away from him. On lap #7, Heaslip spun right in front of the grandstand after tangling with a slower car. This looked like the end of any kind of a bid for a third cup as the spin sent the veteran racer to the rear. McDonald continued to lead followed closely now by Al Jacobs, Boomer McIntyre, Leon Gonyo and Perry Francis. A fierce battle then raged on between McDonald and Jacobs as Jacobs at one point was able to get by McDonald coming out of turn #4 but for only a moment as the tough competitor McDonald got back by Jacobs to get the lead again.
Back in the pack, Heaslip was on his way picking off cars left and right until finally catching McDonald once again and passing him on lap #41. On lap #45, the caution came out tightening the field up once again. On the restart Heaslip still was able to hold on and just when Dave thought he had the race in the bag, the caution flew again with just one lap to go. This was the last thing Heaslip wanted to see especially with McDonald breathing down his neck for the top spot. On the restart, Dave grabbed the lead and went on to win his 3rd Memorial Cup. Brian McDonald once again came up short in a race he can't seem to find a way to win to finish second. Mark Hitchcock drove a tremendous race after having to start in the back after having steering problems in his qualifying heat to finish third. Chris Jones had one of his best runs since his win two years ago to finish 4th and Greg Monica who had a great run at Frogtown coupled with a strong run at Edelweiss the night before finished fifth.
In the third running of the Veteran's Trophy, it was PJ Peters holding off the likes of Jody Swamp, William Adams and Travis Back to bring home the win but not before he had to sweat out a four car freight train race where anything could happen. Peters held off many challenges from Swamp throughout the race to take the win. Jody Swamp finished second with William Adams, Travis Back and Roy Delormier rounding out the top five.
In the Semi Pro division, Carey Terrance took the lead right from the drop of the green flag and fought off Steven Brand and Kevin Fetterly, Jr. for the win. Brand finished second with Kevin Fetterly, Jr. Teio Seymour and Greg Ezard rounding out the top five.
In the Bandit division, Curtis McPhee held off a late race charge by Trevor White to win the ten lap feature event. Dudes Thompson, Billy Woodward, Jr. and Leonard Duvall rounded out the top five.
In the action packed Enduro feature, Rock Niles jumped into the lead from his 3rd starting spot and never looked back to win the ten lap feature event. Donald Delormier finished second with Matt Langdon finishing third.
Next week it will be Jim's Performance Plus night at the speedway with a Modified autograph session for everyone at the intermission. Grandstand gates open at 6:00 p.m. with the first heat set to go at 7:00 p.m. sharp.
Frogtown International Speedway is located just off Route 37 on Frogtown Road in Akwesasne (Hogansburg), New York. Visit us on the World Wide Web at www.frogtownspeedway.net. SEE YOU AT THE FROG!
Modified: Dave Heaslip, Brian McDonald, Mark Hitchcock, Chris Jones, Greg Monica, Leon Gonyo, Jeff Sykes, Bill Cook, Perry Francis, Boomer McIntyre, Tom Jock, Jr., Gilles Perrault, Mike Reyell, Tammy Jalbert, Jamie Martin, Delbert LeGrow, Jeff Marshall, Allen Jacobs, Tom Gonyo, Kevin Fetterly, Jimmy Lazore, Ryan Jacobs and Dan Jalbert. DNS: Craig Reyell.
Pro Stock: PJ Peters, Jody Swamp, William Adams, Travis Back, Roy Delormier, Allen Peters, Casey Swamp, Tim Allen, Craig Paquin, Jason Fetterly, Joel Herne, Ricky Thompson, Junior Barnes, Mitchell Jock and Melvin Rush. DNS: Rick David.
Semi Pro: Carey Terrance, Steven Brand, Kevin Fetterly, Jr., Teio Seymour, Greg Ezard, Dick Planty, Jack Johnson, Greg Snyder, Chris Rabideau, Harvey Arquette, Mike McDonald, Chad Vallance, Aaron Day, Corey Jalbert, Kevin Clement, Brandon Snyder, Nathan Delormier, Corey Bigtree, Mike Allen, Kelvin Clement, Kevin Mere and Robbie Grant. DNS: Ryan Phillips and Mike Mitchell.
Bandit: Kurtis McPhee, Trevor White, Dudes Thompson, Billy Woodward, Jr., Leonard Duvall, Jeb Beeson, Brad Sharlow, Jesse Rockhill, Andy Gardner, Gordon Derouchie, Steve Smith, Fred Weaver, Rico Hernandez, Robert Bolia, David Page, Jeremy Lawrence, Shannon Gray, Randy Whiting, Stuart Mossow and Joey Foster. DNS: Ernie Cree, Ron Sharlow, Glenn Stratton and Larry LaPage.
Enduro: Rock Niles, Donald Delormier, Matt Langdon, Garrett White, Cory Castell, #66, Cory McClain, Matt Chontosh, Charles Thompson, #55, Mark Almond, Bennett White, Konkie Lazore, #71, Kyle Delormier, James Wright, Steve Green and Kevin Thompson. DNS: Bowman Lazore and #21.