AKWESASNE -- The cars and stars of the Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series took to the track for race number 11 and one driver proved that the race never ends until that checkered flag drops.
Billy Decker won the 358 Modified Series event on Friday night and was looking to do what Matt Sheppard had done the previous season and that's sweep both nights.
He started on the pole with Clayton Benedict in his small block starting on the outside and the "Franklin Flyer" took charge of the field as he grabbed the top spot with Benedict and Brett Hearn taking the top 3 spots in the early going.
Decker had a stout race car throughout the first 30 laps of the event and was having little to no trouble making his way through lapped traffic as Benedict continued to hold Hearn at bay for position number 2.
The theme of the event was getting the right tire on that race car and during a lap 25 caution a total of 10 drivers headed pit side for new right rears.
When racing resumed Decker held onto the lead but Hearn was on a mission.
After starting 4th in the event and a spirited battle with Benedict for position number 2 he was able to grab the top spot from Decker and pull away from the rest of the field. Many other drivers also made pit stops just past halfway. Tim O'Brien, Carey Terrance and "The Doctor" Danny Johnson also made stops for new rubber and would put on a show from the back of the field.
Several late race cautions slowed the event including one for Ryan Phelps who clipped a tire off turn 4 destroying the front end of his race car and collecting Rob Bellinger in the process. Both cars were done for the evening.
The man who was looking to play spoiler was Jimmy Phelps and after a great battle with Decker for 2nd he closed in on race leader Brett Hearn who appeared to have a tire going south on his ride.
With 3 laps remaining Phelps caught and passed Hearn for the lead and would cruise to his 2nd series win at Mohawk with Hearn taking 2nd, Billy Decker, Carey Terrance would finish 4th and collect the $500 bonus as the top small block finisher and Danny Johnson crossed in 5th.
In the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series event Joey Ladouceur came into the night just 1 point ahead of Corey Wheeler in the standings and after a heartbreak at Granby the night before Ladouceur was looking for redemption.
After starting 4th in the field Wheeler made a strong run up to the head of the class. A caution would slow the field on lap 4 and Joey Ladouceur would head to the pits but would later return to the speedway.
Green came back out on the field and Wheeler was charging forward and was able to grab the top spot on lap 10. With the racetrack being smooth as silk Corey Wheeler was able to build up over a straightaway lead over Orange County regular Rob Yetman as the laps wound down.
With 15 to go Yetman's great run came to a disappointing end as he broke while running 2nd and was forced to the pits.
After 2 wins last season at Drummond Corey Wheeler was able to grab the biggest win of his young Pro Stock career as he nailed down his first ever series win over Ghislain Valade, Stephane Lebrun, Dion Oakes and Joey Ladouceur who came from 15th after an early race pit stop to finish in 5th.
The Mod Lites were on hand for the 2nd straight night and Mathieu Robinson and Friday night's winner Matt Meuten started on the front row Meuten taking control of the 20 lap event in the early going.
On lap 6 the yellow flew for Scott Mere as he blew a motor in turn 3 which sent him spinning to a stop. Once the green flag flew the rest of the field had no chance of catching Matt Meuten as he nailed down his 2nd win of the weekend and 4th of the season over Sylvain Laframboise, Dean Pronovost, Dave Bell and Mathieu Robinson.
The CRSA 305 Sprints were also on the card for their 2nd ever appearance at Mohawk. 2010 winner Jeff Vansteenburg was looking for 2 in a row but had problems with his own car in the heat and borrowed a car from Chuck Alessi for the feature. His night went from bad to worse as he spun on the backstretch and was forced to the pits.
Art Kiser was the man to beat on this night as he started on the pole and led all 20 laps for his first win of the season on the CRSA tour. Former Sportsman driver Jamie Christian was 2nd and Tyler Rice a 2 time winner this year rounded out the top 3.
Today, Twin Leaf and Jreck Subs will be on hand for the final event of the 2011 racing season with the 100 lap slick track enduro racing gets underway at 2pm.
Mohawk International Raceway is located midway between the Seaway International Bridge to Cornwall, ONT and the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino.
From Route 37, turn south onto Frogtown Road. Racing is held on Friday nights at 7:45 PM from May through September, featuring the Frenchie's Chevrolet DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, Sportsman and Pro Stocks, as well as the Bandit division. Visit us on the web at www.MohawkInternationalRaceway.com .
The MIR office is located at the track, and the phone number is 518-358-9017. The track is owned and operated by Mohawk International Raceway, LLC.
Big Block Modified Super DIRTCar Series (100 laps): JIMMY PHELPS, Brett Hearn, Billy Decker, Carey Terrance, Danny Johnson, Pat O'Brien, Billy Dunn, Pat Ward, Matt Sheppard, Tim O'Brien, Tom Sears Jr., Justin Haers, Roy Tarbell, Tim Currier, Steve Bernard, Clayton Benedict, Mario Clair, Luke Whittaker, Pete Britten, Rich Scagliotta, Michel Chicoine, Pierre Dagenais, David Hebert, Jeff Sykes, Larry Wight, Mike Adderley, Laurent Ladouceur, Rob Bellinger, Ryan Phelps, Dale Planck
Mr. DIRTCar Pro Stock Series (35 laps): COREY WHEELER, Ghislain Valade, Stephane Lebrun, Dion Oakes, Joey Ladouceur, David Papineau, Dave Bissonette, Louie Jackson, Jocelyn Roy, Eugene Tarbell, Roch Aubin, Mike White, Ryan Stabler, PJ Peters, Jody Swamp, Ricky Thompson, Mark Lalonde, Rob Yetman
Mod Lites (20 laps): MATT MEUTEN, Sylvain Laframboise, Dean Pronovost, Dave Bell, Mathieu Robinson, Tim Reif, Matt Chontosh, Mathew Stone Jr., Lacey Cox, Scott Mere
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