MARK HITCHCOCK TAKES SECOND 358 MODIFIED FEATURE OF 2001 AT FROGTOWN
Hogansburg, NY - Mark Hitchcock has things going his way at Frogtown International Speedway this season as he won his second feature of the 2001 season last Saturday night at Frogtown.
Mike Reyell and Bill Cook started on the front row of the Sno-Parts Unlimited - King Motorsports 25 lap main event. Cook grabbed the early lead on the first lap with Leon Gonyo making some fantastic moves from his 8th starting position to grab second after one lap. Mike Reyell, Craig Ormsby and Delbert LeGrow followed. Cook and Gonyo began to pull away from the pack and began to get in to lap traffic as early as lap #8. The caution came out in lap #8 for Leon and Matt Gonyo as they got tangled up on the backstretch.
On the restart, Cook grabbed the lead once again with Mark Hitchcock running second after a great run from his 12th starting position and Todd Stewart who started 14th in the field running third. Cook made a gallant effort to hang on to the lead and many thought this was going to be Bill's first feature win in a long time.
On lap #14, Hitchcock was finally able to squeeze by the popular star and take the lead. After a couple of challenges by Cook, Hitchcock began to pull away and went on to the win. Todd Stewart was able to get by Bill Cook for second on the last lap as Bill had to settle for third. Kevin Fetterly came from his 9th starting spot to finish 4th and a consistent Delbert LeGrow rounded out the top five.
In the 20 lap Pro Stock feature, Joey Ladouceur took home an emotional victory, his first in 2001. Louie Jackson and Jody Swamp started on the front row with Swamp grabbing the early lead and holding it until lap #10 when Joey Ladouceur came flying up through the pack from his 7th starting spot to grab the lead and hold on to it for good the rest of the way. Jackson was able to hold on for second with Bruce Merpaw, Ron Morin and Scott Kocher rounding out the top five.
In victory lane there were mixed emotions. It was a new number, a different driver but still the same car and crew. When the car drove into victory lane, fans could only think of the #8 and Floyd Thomas actually stilling in victory lane in front of the grandstand. Earlier in the week, Thomas was involved in a serious automobile accident. At press time he was listed in critical condition in Ottawa General Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Floyd, his family and the crew of the #8 for a speedy recovery. We miss you Floyd.
In the Semi Pro feature go, it was popular Tom Chubb coming home with the victory after he and Greg Snyder did battle on the last four laps, with Chubb ending up with the victory. Snyder finished second with Steve Brand, Jamie Martin and Kevin Mayville rounding out the top five.
A big scare came during the feature when Jeff Marshall on lap #12 flipped on the backstretch after running over his own wheel after it had come off. When the car came to rest, Marshall barely got out of the car when it burst into flames. Marshall was ok but commented after the race that he could feel the heat at his back just after he got out to the car.
In the Bandit feature, it was Chris Trembley taking the win after a battle with Kevin Fetterly, Jr. Kevin Mere got up for third.
In the Enduro class, Owen White came through with yet another victory to his credit. Ronnie Thompson finished second and Ryan Phillips got up for third.
The Midstate Antique Stock Car Club made their annual appearance at the speedway putting on a great show and bringing back a lot of memories to a lot of fans and drivers alike.
In the 50's class, it was the B29 of Jeff Ackerman of New Berlin, New York taking the win and in the 60's class Phil Claussen from Oakbrook, Illinois took the victory in the "X" car. In the 70's class, the #6 of Chris Brougham of Lafargeville, New York took home the win. A special thanks going out to the club for putting on a great show.
Next week it will be Oionkwaonwe Enterprises night at the speedway with a regular card of racing for the 358 Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Semi Pros, Bandits and Enduro cars. There should be plenty of young fans in attendance with kiddie rides added to the nights racing card as well.
Frogtown International Speedway is located just off Route 37 on Frogtown Road just north of Massena in Hogansburg, New York. Pit gates open at 5:30 p.m. with grandstand gates opening at 6:00 p.m. Racing gets underway at 7:00 p.m. sharp. SEE YOU AT THE FROG!
Modified - Mark Hitchcock, Todd Stewart, Bill Cook, Kevin Fetterly, Delbert LeGrow, Brian McDonald, Mike Perrotte, Chris Jones, Dave Heaslip, Larry Welling, Jr., Jeff Sykes, Joel Doiron, Doug Fuller, Mike Reyell, Mark Smoke, Sandy Roberts, Jim Lazore, Wally Stacey, Pete Roberts, Craig Ormsby, Leon Gonyo and Matt Gonyo.
Pro Stock - Joey Ladouceur, Louie Jackson, Bruce Merpaw, Ron Morin, Scott Kocher, Billy King, Casey Swamp, Jody Swamp, Mark Therrien, Kaelin Baxter and Tim Allen. DNS: Mitchell Jock and Brian Loeb.
Semi-Pro - Tom Chubb, Greg Snyder, Steven Brand, Jamie Martin, Kevin Mayville, Barry Marshall, Pete Backus, Paul Czyz, Mitch Printup, Jeff Marshall, Duane Brainard, Melvin Rush, Dave Hall and Ann Pecore.
Bandits - Chris Trembley, Kevin Fetterly, Jr., Kevin Mere, #91T, Steven Jeffery, Andrew Bordeau, Jim Webb, Chris Rabideau, John Bashaw, Robert Bolia, Craig Reyell, Ron Sharlow, Nick Mallette, Jason Thomas, Ronnie Tyo, Kurtis McPhee and Don Jacobs, Jr. DNS: Joey Foster.
Enduro - Owen White, Ronnie Thompson, Ryan Phillips and Jamie St. Mary.