CHRIS JONES WINS 358 MODIFIED THRILLER AT FROGTOWN
Hogansburg, NY ... Chris Jones of Demorestville, Ontario has worked hard to win a 358 Modified feature at Frogtown and his hard work finally paid off as he took home his first feature win ever at the speedway this last Saturday night.
Mark Smoke, who looked like he would be the man to beat after taking his qualifying heat by about a half a track, started on the front row along with veteran Massena, NY's racer Sandy Roberts. Smoke grabbed the early lead only to have the caution come out for the #22 of Chazy, NY 's Matt Gonyo.
On the restart Smoke grabbed the lead followed closely by Delbert LeGrow, Sandy Roberts, Kyle Jacobs and Jimmy Lazore. Back further in the pack both Chris Jones and Akwesasne's favorite "Gentleman" Bill Cook were beginning to make their move towards the front bringing the crowd to their feet with just about every move they made. By lap #7, both Cook and Jones had worked their way into the top five.
A great side by side battle ensued between two of the most popular drivers at Frogtown, Bill Cook and Delbert LeGrow as they battle each other continuously for the #2 spot to see who would challenge Mark Smoke for the #1 spot. Smoke looked flawless in his Big Boys sponsored car #9 as he continued to lead now followed by Bill Cook, Delbert LeGrow, Chris Jones and Kyle Jacobs after 12 laps of the Lazore's Construction 25 lap feature. Leon Gonyo and Dave Heaslip started to make their move in lap #14 breaking into the top five on lap #17. Smoke looked great still in the #1 spot but a late caution in lap #20 tightened up the field again. This was the last thing Smoke wanted to see. On the restart Smoke took the lead again. On lap #23, Chris Jones got by Bill Cook and set his sights on the speedy Smoke for the #1 spot. On the last lap, Smoke looked to be a sure winner until the final turn when Smoke's car drifted up just high enough leaving room for Jones to sneak underneath and take the win in a thriller. Mark Smoke finished second with Bill Cook getting up for third. Mike Perrotte made a great run in the last five laps of the race to finish 4th as Dave Heaslip took 5th.
In the DIRT Pro Stock feature, Mitchell Jock came home the winner. Dave Bissonnette grabbed the early lead only to retire to the pits after 1 lap with mechanical problems. On the restart Louie Jackson, last weeks feature winner, took the lead followed closely by Mitchell Jock, Jody Swamp, Mark Therrien and Gilles Godard. Jackson looked like he maybe headed to his second win in a row until lap #13 when the car developed mechanical problems and sent Jackson to the pits.
Mitchell Jock grabbed the lead on lap #14 and stayed there the rest of the way to take home yet another win. Mark Therrien drove an impressive race to finish second as Gilles Godard, Jody Swamp and Travis Back rounded out the top five.
In the always exciting Semi Pro class, Pete Backus who many thought was destined to win soon won his first of the season. Jeff Marshall came all the way from the back of the field late in the race to finish second with Steven Brand, who also had a great run, taking third. Tob Chubb, who also came from the very back as well, got up to finish fourth and Jamie Martin, who has been very consistant of late, finished fifth.
In the always unpredictable Bandit Division, Eric and Ron Tyo staged a great battle with Eric Tyo coming out on top in his beautiful #95 Bandit class car. Ron Tyo finished second with the speedy Don Jacobs of Waddington, NY finishing third. Roch Aubin and Kevin Fetterly, Jr. rounded out the top five.
In the Enduro class, Owen White and Ricky Thompson put on a show and a half for the fans with White coming away in the closing laps with the win. Ricky Thompson finished second with Thomas Square, Kevin Clement and Leon Delormier rounding out the top five.
The Speedway would like to thank our sponsor Lazore's Construction for sponsoring yet another great evening of racing and putting on the "Great American Dump Truck Race" which again was a thriller right down to the end.
Next week at the Speedway, the Antique Stock Car Club comes to Frogtown featuring vintage modifieds from the 50's, 60's and 70's which will bring back a lot of memories. The evenings program will be sponsored by first time sponsors Akwesasne Boat Tours and Adams Construction and it will be "Old Timers Night" at the speedway featuring an appearance by the Cornwall Classic Car Club before the start of a regular card of racing that begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.
Frogtown International Speedway is located on Frogtown Road just off Route 37 in Hogansburg, NY. SEE YOU AT THE FROG!
Modified: Chris Jones, Mark Smoke, Bill Cook, Mike Perrotte, Dave Heaslip, Jeff Sykes, Leon Gonyo, Kyle Jacobs, Ben Tucker, Doug Fuller, Bruce Sawyer, Delbert LeGrow, Sandy Roberts, Mike Reyell, Kevin Fetterly, Tom Gonyo, Perry Francis, Sam Liechty, Tom Jock, Jr., Jim Lazore, Steve Bilow, Jason Fetterly, Matt Gonyo and Jeff Ciglich. DNS: Mark Hitchcock and Craig Ormsby.
Pro Stock: Mitchell Jock, Mark Therrien, Gilles Godard, Jody Swamp, Travis Back, John Lazore, Bryan Loeb, Scott Kocher, Louie Jackson, Tim Allen and Dave Bissonnette.
Semi Pro: Pete Backus, Jeff Marshall, Steven Brand, Tom Chubb, Jamie Martin, Dick Planty, Paul Czyz, Ronnie Thompson, Chris Rabideau, Scott Sharpe, Kevin Mayville, Ryan Phillips, Creig Donnelly, Greg Snyder and Melvin Rush.
Bandit: Eric Tyo, Ron Tyo, Don Jacobs, Roch Aubin, Kevin Fetterly, Jr., Mark Radbourne, Scott Mere, Danielle Legault, Steve Jeffery, Jr., Craig Reyell, Bob Weeks, Kevin Mere, Nick Mallette, Jim Webb, Gordon Derouchie, Robert Bolia, John Bashaw, Joey Foster, Steve Lacomb, Jeb Beeson and Ron Sharlow.
Enduro: Owen White, Ricky Thompson, Tom Square, Kevin Clement, Leon Delormier, Steve Bushey, Brandon Snyder, Calvin Clement, Jesse Beeson, Adam Bigtree, Ernie Cree, Jamie Dustin, Chad Shantie, Fred Wilson, Dillon Cole, Chad Carter, Kevin Thompson, #20, Alex Thompson, Jr., Mike House, Nathan Thompson, Tom Bryner and Pete Bigtree.