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Heywood victory boosts title defense

Defending J&S Steel Sportsman Modified champion Nick Heywood drove to his second straight win on Huntley Trucking/Liquor & Wine Warehouse Night Saturday and widened his slim point lead over Travis Bruno to seven points with one point race remaining.

Heywood took the lead in the Budweiser/Gallagher Towing No. 29 with 11 laps to go after an altercation between race leaders Jamie LaFountain and Jason Durgan brought out the second and final caution flag. He quickly drew off to a commanding lead to record his third 2014 win. Codie Aubin was the runner-up.

Bruno drove back up through the field for a third-place finish after a spinout on lap 7 that put him and Mark Lamberton on the rear. Rookie Jayson Criss, the most difficult driver for Heywood to pass all night, was fourth, followed by Lamberton, Tyson Drown and LaFountain.

Heywood’s win also helped his attempt to become the 2014 NASCAR New York State champion and the NASCAR’s national Rookie of the Year. “This is huge because it bumps a ninth-place finish off my list and replaces it with a win,” Heywood said.

Josh Terry was dominant winner in the Key RD Trailer Sales 30-lap main in the Brookfield Excavating No. 43. Terry took an early lead after starting 3rd. Zack Daniels took over second for good on lap 11, but was never able to close on the leader. Terry’s winning margin was eight car-lengths.

Shawn Duquette held off Robert Gordon to finish third. Jamy Begor gained four spots in the final 10 laps to finish 5th and, unofficially, take a one-point lead into the Mike Watts Memorial finale Sunday, August 31.

Leon Gonyo and Pierre Berthiaume finished 1-2 in the Ernie’s Discount Tools 30-lap Modified “Open”. The race was red-flagged on lap 23 when race leader Jessey Mueller crashed into the first-turn wall. Mueller walked away from the wreckage, but when to the hospital for observation. Chris Cayea finished third.

Pete Blaney was a first-time winner in the Busch Mini Modified feature with runner-up Steven Bresette perched on his bumper. Dale O’Neill, CJ LaVair and Michael Wright were next in line.

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