LEON GONYO VICTORIOUS IN FROGTOWN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY'S RACE OF CHAMPIONS
Hogansburg, NY - Leon Gonyo of Chazy, NY has been knocking on the door all season at Frogtown International Speedway for a 358 Modified feature win. It couldn't have come at a better time for him as he not only picked up the win but a spot for Syracuse at Super Dirt Week came along with the winning package.
Mark Hitchcock and Jim Ryan started on the front row of the Wolfclan Truck Stop sponsored main event with Hitchcock grabbing the early lead followed closely by Jim Ryan, Leon Gonyo, Todd Stewart and Bill Woodward. On lap #13, the unthinkable happened as Mike Perrotte who appeared to be in the dirver's seat for the track championship spun in turn #2. Perrotte not only had to go to the back but had to finish at least 16th or better to claim the track championship and hope that either Hitchcock or Dave Heaslip did not win the event in the process.
On the restart, Hitchcock reclaimed the lead only to loose it to Gonyo on lap #21. Gonyo began to lengthen his lead as Jim Ryan and Mark Hitchcock put on a torrid battle for second and right behind them were Doug Fuller, Todd Stewart and yes Mike Perrotte! Perrotte had come from the back and into the top seven in just eight incredible laps. Dave Heaslip had the car hooked again and looked to be the one that could catch Gonyo for the win but Leon was determined not to let this one get away. Heaslip, Doug Fuller and Hitchcock did all they could to catch Leon but Gonyo was just to much for them and as the white flag was waved, the crowd came to its feet to cheer on a long time supporter of Frogtown on the last lap of the race. Gonyo went on to the victory in the 1st Annual Race of Champions and will represent Frogtown International Speedway in October at Super Dirt Week in Syracuse, NY. Dave Heaslip finished second with Doug Fuller who had a tremendous run, finishing third. Mark Hitchcock and Joel Doiron, who also had a tremendous run, rounded out the top five.
Finishing sixth was Morrisonville, NY's Mike Perrotte who was crowned the 2001 358 Modified Track Champion. His third straight track Championship and his 4th in the last 5 years at Frogtown. Congratulations Mike on a job well done in 2001!
In the Wolfclan Truck Stop 20 lap Pro Stock event, the crowd got their money's worth as the always competitive class put on a great show. Scott Kocher and Jody Swamp started on the front row with Swamp grabbing the early lead at the drop of the green. On lap #2, Billy "the Kid" King grabbed the lead with Louie Jackson right behind. Jackson battled with Swamp for two laps before getting by both Swamp and the leader on lap #9. King did all he could along with Swamp to get back by Jackson once again as the three Akwasasne drivers put on a great show lap after lap. Jackson came home with the win and his first ever Pro Stock Track Championship at Frogtown.
It was a very emotional time in victory lane as everyone was happy for Louie but even more present was the fact that everyone had Floyd "Jr." Thomas on their mind as well recovering still from an automobile accident in an Ottawa hospital that shortened the up and coming star's racing season. This one was for Jr. as a whole but it was a great victory and season for Louie Jackson.
In the Semi Pro feature, Melvin Rush and Dave Hall started in the front row. Rush grabbed the early lead only to have Jeff Marshall come charging up through to grab the lead. Steve Brand, Tammy Jalbert and Greg Snyder, who started in 17th spot, began a battle for the next three spots. On lap #3, Snyder grabbed the lead from Marshall with Pete Backus and Tammy Jalbert close behind. Snyder started to pull away as each lap went by and went on to victory and the 2001 Semi Pro Track Championship. Pete Backus finished second with Tammy Jalbert, Melvin Rush and Jeff Marshall rounding out the top five.
In the Bandit class, Scott Mere and Jim Webb started on the front row with Mere grabbing the early lead but as they came around for lap #1, Kurtis McPhee had got by Mere to grab the lead followed by Chris Tremblay, Randy Tremblay and John Bashaw. Ron Tyo, last weeks feature winner, came flying up through and closed in on the speedy McPhee. On lap #9, Tyo was able to squeeze by and take the lead but it was not an easy win as Tyo had to fight off a 4 car freight train of Chris Tremblay, Kevin Fetterly, Jr., Randy Tremblay and Ron Sharlow. Tyo picked up the victory, his second in a row at the speedway. Consistant finishes all season earned Kevin Fetterly, Jr. his first ever Frogtown International Speedway Bandit Class Track Championship. Congratulations Kevin!
In the always exciting Enduro class, Chuck Cole tuned up for the September 16th 100 lap Iron Man Enduro with his first victory of the season. Ricky Thompson finished second with Ernie Cree, Jary Marshall and Tim Webb rounding out the top five. Even though Ryan Phillips did not finish in the top five, he had enough of a points lead to be crowned the Enduro Track Champion.
Frogtown International Speedway will be closed next weekend but will come right back with a Sunday afternoon show on September 16th. The main event of the day will be the 100 lap CKON 97.3 FM Iron Man Enduro. This will be preceded by the Non-Winners Classic in all divisions. This race in all classes is open to any driver who has competed at least once this season but has not won a feature in their respective classes.
Frogtown International Speedway would like to thank Wolfclan Truck Stop for sponsoring a great evening of racing and would also like to thank Nancy Fetterly and everyone involved who had a hand in putting on a great year end party after the races.
For more information on the Slick Track Enduro and racing on Sunday, September 16th, you can contact the speedway at (518) 358-9017 or visit our website at www.frogtownspeedway.com. SEE YOU AT THE FROG!
Modified: Leon Gonyo, Dave Heaslip, Doug Fuller, Mark Hitchcock, Joel Doiron, Mike Perrotte, Todd Stewart, Kyle Jacobs, Delbert LeGrow, Jeff Sykes, Sandy Roberts, Bill Cook, Jim Lazore, Francis McNeil, Matt Gonyo, Mike Reyell, Tom Gonyo, Bill Woodward, Mark Smoke, Jim Ryan, Craig Ormsby, Bruce Sawyer, Kevin Fetterly, and Chris Jones. DNS: Brian McDonald and Gino Clair.
Pro Stock: Louie Jackson, Jody Swamp, Billy King, Marc Therrien, Gilles Godard, Scott Kocher, Alain Coursol, Jody Beckstead, Tim Allen, Duane Brainard, William Adams, Bryan Loeb, Ron Morin, Casey Swamp and Mitchell Jock.
Semi Pro: Greg Snyder, Pete Backus, Tammy Jalbert, Melvin Rush, Jeff Marshall, Wayne Foster, Jason Martin, Dave Hall, Floyd Lamica, Steve Brand, Brian McGinley, Rick Brainard, Kevin Mayville, Brian Reyell and Paul Czyz. DNS: Tom Chubb and Barb Donnelly.
Bandit: Ron Tyo, Chris Tremblay, Kevin Fetterly, Jr., Randy Tremblay, Ron Sharlow, Mike Jolicoeur, Kevin Mere, John Bashaw, Don Jacobs, Danielle Legault, Craig Reyell, Nick Mallette, Chris Rabideau, Scott Mere, Andrew Bordeau, Jim Webb, Kurtis McPhee, Steve Jeffery, Jr., Chantelle Cooke and Kevin Jodoin. DNS: Joe Staggetti and Joey Foster.
Enduro: Chuck Cole, Ricky Thompson, Ernie Cree, Jary Marshall, Tim Webb, #69X, Kelvin Clement, Ryan Phillips, Noonie Thomas-Lazore, Louie McDonald, Robbie Cook, Tom Wilson, Jordan Oakes, #10A, Owen White, #3DII, Ronnie Thompson, Don Stay, Fred Wilson, Mark David, Kevin Clement, #20, Kevin Thompson and Tom Square.