5/25/2014
Airborne Park Speedway
Lamberton, Mueller take Sportsman Mod Twin 30’s
SOUTH PLATTSBURGH - Mark Lamberton and Jessey Mueller drove to J&S Steel Sportsman Modified feature wins on Military Appreciation Night at Airborne.
Lamberton started 7th in the Banker Orchards/Josh Laware Logging No.44, passed Rick Doner for the lead on lap 6 and drew out to a long lead ahead of a spirited duel for second between Jamie LaFountain and Nick Heywood.
On lap 20, the second yellow of the race on lap 20 tightened up the field and LaFountain took advantage. He grabbed the lead and held it for five laps before Lamberton gradually worked underneath him and regained the top spot.
Lamberton’s winning margin was five car-lengths. One week earlier he had been dicing for the lead as he took the white flag only to wind up off the top of turn one.
LaFountain held off Heywood for second. Travis Bruno and Jason Durgan completed the top five.
“We tried to make the car work on the bottom because most cars have been pushing up the track eventually and you have the best chance to get by them on the inside,” Lamberton said.
Mueller was the ruler in 30-lap Sportsman/Modified Challenge nightcap. The youngster from Olmstedville quckly rose to 10th in a 22-car field after an early yellow. He had just overtaken Mark Lamberton for 3rd on lap 14 when leaders Travis Bruno and Andy Heywood brushed together on the backstretch. Heywood spun out bringing out a yellow. One lap later, Mueller had the Freihofer/Liquor & Wine Warehouse No. 19 in the lead for keeps.
Bruno and Nick Heywood raced a few feet apart the rest of the way. Bruno was the runner-up – with Heywood, Lamberton and Todd Stone in positions 3-4-5. Stone rose from the 16th starting position.
The second half of the top-10 was comprised of Durgan, Mike Wells, Doner, Derrick McGrew and Ty Drown.
Jamy Begor won the Key RD Trailer Sales renegade main after getting bailed out by a restart with two laps remaining.
Pole sitter Shawn Duquette had the race well in hand when the caution came out. Duquette chose the low groove on the restart and it cost him as Begor swept around him for his second victory. Lance Rabtoy finished a close third ahead of Robert Gordon and Jon Boutin.
“I was surprised he picked the bottom,” Begor said. “That was good racing. I wouldn’t have got there without the yellow.”
“I’m happy to finish in one piece after breaking down the last two weeks,” Duquette said. “Begor had the grip on the outside.” Asked if would choose the high side himself given a second chance, Duquette said yes.
Russell Duchaine of Alburg, VT earned his first career win in the Mini Modified feature after apparent winner Dale O’Neil and second-place finisher Steven Bresette failed the tech line.
Tyler Bressette wound up second. Rob Sines, CJ LaVair and Tim LaFountain were 3-4-5.
Tom Herzig
Submitted By: JOHN WALKER