FROGTOWN 358 MODIFIED SPRING FLING HONORS GO TO MARK HITCHCOCK
Hogansburg, NY - Mark Hitchcock of Kingston, Ontario opened the 2001 racing season in style with a very impressive win in the North New York Auto Sales, Greg's Auto Salvage Spring Fling feature go for the 358 Modifieds.
Twenty-two cars started the main event with Massena, New York's Kevin Fetterly and West Chazy, New York's Leon Gonyo starting on the front row. When the green flag dropped, Fetterly grabbed the early lead with Gonyo, Brian McDonald, Jeff Sykes and Mark Hitchcock following close behind. Fetterly opened up a big lead only to have the caution come out for Bruce Sawyer and Mike Reyelle on the backstretch on lap #10.
On the restart, Fetterly grabbed the lead again with Leon Gonyo, Mark Hitchcock, Brian McDonald and Jeff Sykes staying close. Hitchcock was able to get by Gonyo on lap 13 and set his sites on the leader. The caution flew again in lap 14 for the #41 of Greg Monica and at the same time Gonyo headed to the pits with trouble.
This moved Hitchcock to within striking distance of Fetterly. On the restart, Fetterly had his hands full as the two battled for the top spot with Hitchcock slipping past on lap 18. Mike Perrotte the 2000 Track Champion had been able to get by Fetterly as well in lap 21 and this set up one of the greatest finishes of all time at the speedway with the #95 of Hitchcock crossing the line just inches in front of Perrotte for the win. Mark commented that he lost some power in the car and when the two cars came together on the front stretch, he knew that Mike came up on him a lot faster than he had expected. Mark was grateful that Perrotte backed out of it at the point they come together or they both might have gone around. Rounding out the top five were Kevin Fetterly, Jeff Sykes and Shoreham, Vermont's Jim Ryan.
In the Pro Stock Spring Fling, it was Billy "The Kid" King fighting off a determined Bruce Merpaw for the win. King and Merpaw lead the field right from the get go and battled throughout the main event. King looked to be a sure winner until the final lap when transmission problems showed up on the #81 of King. The car slowed allowing Merpaw to move in but King was able to hang on but only by inches for the win. Bruce Merpaw held on for second with Jody Swamp, Scott Kocher and Casey Swamp rounding out the top five.
In the Semi Pro Spring Fling, Greg Snyder brought home the win in big fashion. Greg's win was all the more special because he was one of the nights sponsors and it's always great to sit in victory lane on a night where you are a sponsor.
Pete Backus who finished 2nd looks like he will be a force to be reckoned with in 2001 coming from his 4th starting position to take second in the event. Steven Brand, Jeff Marshall and Dick Planty rounded out the top five.
In the Bandit division's season opener, Curtis McPhee of Cornwall, Ontario and Chris Tremblay also of Cornwall renewed their friendly rivalry as the two good friends put on a great show for the fans. McPhee was able to hang on for the lead with Tremblay finishing second, Kees VanWinden, Ronnie Tyo and Rosco Garreau rounded out the top five.
In the new Winged Midget division, Todd Laforest brought home the win with Charlie Hagar of Plattsburg finishing in second.
In the Enduro class, Ronnie Thompson found the right combination and started off the season right with a win.
New week at the speedway, it will be the 11th running of the Memorial Cup for the 358 Modifieds sponsored by Fenchie's Chevrolet Olds in Massena, New York. The event will be a 50 lap Syracuse Qualifier with the winner picking up a guaranteed starting spot for Syracuse in October. A regular card of racing for the Pro Stocks, Semi Pros, Bandits and Enduro cars will also be offered as well.
Frogtown International Speedway is located just off Route 37 on Frogtown Road in Hogansburg, New York. You can call the speedway for information and weather at (518) 358-9017 or visit us at our website at www.frogtownspeedway.com.