JEFF SYKES WINS MEMORIAL CUP AT FROGTOWN SPEEDWAY
Jeff Sykes after being so close for so long finally won a 358 Modified feature at Frogtown Speedway after a long drought. But this was not just any feature this was the Memorial Cup and a spot at Super DIRT Week in Syracuse in October.
Sykes and Mark Hitchcock started on the front row of the Frenchie’s Chevrolet-Olds / Lazore’s Construction feature with Hitchcock grabbing the early lead followed closely by Sykes, Dan Jalbert, Brian McDonald and Boomer McIntyre. These five set a torrid pace in the early going of the race that had the crowd on their feet cheering. Hitchcock’s run for the cup came to an end on lap 41 when the caution came out for a mishap on the front stretch involving Leon Gonyo, Mark Smoke and Kevin Fetterly. Hitchcock went to the pits with tire problems but returned to pick a spot at the rear of the pack with no laps lost. Dave Heaslip’s bid for his third Memorial Cup win along with Brian McDonald’s chances for his first ended as they both succumbed to mechanical problems.
On the restart of lap 41, Sykes waited for nobody building up a big lead over 2nd place runner Boomer McIntyre and never looked back all the way to the finish. Jeff Sykes brings home his first ever Memorial Cup at Frogtown and a spot for Syracuse. Boomer McIntyre had a fabulous run to finish second with Bill Woodward getting up to finish a very impressive third. Mark Hitchcock came all the way from the back to finish 4th and Billy Cook who is having a great 2003 season so far finished 5th.
In the DIRT Pro Stock division, it was the 2nd running of the Veteran’s Trophy and the beginning of the Coors Light Pro Stock shootout series at Frogtown. Clayton Benedict and Gilles Godard started on the front row with Benedict getting the early lead only to have Godard take it away from him on lap #4. Godard, Benedict, Joel Herne, Dave Bissonnette, PJ Peters, Jody Swamp and John Lazore had a seven car freight train that toured the racetrack with just inches separating them and the crowd loved it.
On lap 15, Dave Bissonnette made his move and grabbed the lead from Godard. The two put on a great battle with Bissonnette prevailing in the end. Gilles Godard settled for second with PJ Peters, Jody Swamp and Clayton Benedict rounding out the top five.
In the Semi Pro division, Tammy Jalbert of Cornwall, Ontario picked up the win holding off the late race challenge by Ryan Phillips. Chad Vallance finished a very impressive 3rd with Dick Planty and Kevin Fetterly, Jr. rounding out the top five.
In the Bandit division, Kurtis McPhee brought home the win after a year’s absence from victory lane. Kevin Mere finished second with Dan Lortie, Ron Sharlow and Billy "WooWoo" Woodward rounding out the top five.
In the Enduro class feature go, it was Adam Bandy who picked up the $100.00 win in the 20 lap special event. Konke Lazore finished second with Sheldon Jacobs getting up for third.
The staff and management at Frogtown International Speedway would like to thank Frenchie’s Chevrolet-Olds and Lazore’s Construction for sponsoring such a great night of racing.
Next Saturday night it will be Village Hobby and Trophy Shop / St. Lawrence Centre and Lafrance Performance night at the speedway. A Modified autograph session will be held at intermission and there will be an appearance by the Antique Stock Car Club. Pit gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the main grandstand opening at 6:00 p.m. The first race is set to go off at 7:00 p.m. sharp.
Form more information visit us on the World Wide Web at www.frogtownspeedway.net. SEE YOU AT THE FROG!
Modified: Jeff Sykes, Boomer McIntyre, Bill Woodward, Mark Hitchcock, Billy Cook, Delbert LeGrow, Perry Francis, Dan Jalbert, Tom Jock, Jr., Al Jacobs, Matt Gonyo, Jeff Marshall, Jim Lazore, Jamie Martin, Kevin Fetterly, Leon Gonyo, Steve Rookey, Mark Smoke, Dave Heaslip, Brian McDonald, Mike Reyell, Greg Monica, Doug Fuller, Tom Gonyo and Bruce Sawyer. DNS: Chris Jones.
Pro Stock: Dave Bissonnette, Gilles Godard, PJ Peters, Jody Swamp, Clayton Benedict, William Adams, Bryan Loeb, Casey Swamp, Mitchell Jock, Tim Allen, Joel Herne, Billy King, Louie Jackson, Melvin Rush, John Lazore, Jason Fetterly and Greg Snyder.
Semi Pro: Tammy Jalbert, Ryan Phillips, Chad Vallance, Dick Planty, Kevin Fetterly, Jr., Tylor Terry, Chris Rabideau, Scott Mere, Barb Donnelly, Kevin Clement, Brian Patterson, Kevin Mayville, Greg Ezard, Steven Brand, John Bashaw, Charles Thompson, Craig Reyell and Mike McDonald. DNS: Mike David, Brad Winters, Pete Backus and Doug Haldane.
Bandit: Kurtis McPhee, Kevin Mere, Dan Lortie, Ron Sharlow, Billy Woodward, Jr., Jeb Beeson, Gilles Bernique, Nick Mallette, Vern Rivers, Fred Weaver, Trevor White, Bryan Reyell, Larry LaPage, Rico Hernandez, Robert Bolia, Jim Webb, Dudes Thompson, Ernie Cree, Joey Foster and Chris LeClair. DNS: Trevor Jones and Brad Jerome.
Enduro: Adam Bandy, Konke Lazore, Sheldon Jacobs, #04, Bryan Herne, Leon Delorme, Dion Oakes, #401, Bowman Lazore, Steve Bushey, Jr., Corey Edwards, Brandon Snyder, Steve Green, Ricky Thompson, Dillon Cole, Rock Niles, Tyson Cole, David Arquette, Tom Square and Matt Langdon. DNS: Theo Mitchell.