9/17/2016
Airborne Park Speedway
Heywood Wins Leon Gonyo Memorial
PLATTSBURGH- Nick Heywood picked up the victory for the Ernie’s Discount Tools Sportsman Modifieds in the 44-lap Leon Gonyo Memorial event.
Heywood looked to the inside of Jake Branham in turn three on lap-24, but Branham was able to hold him off at the line. The next time around, Heywood drove the car deep into turn three and pulled ahead of Branham by a nose. Branham didn’t give up, he ran on the outside of Heywood for three laps, but eventually Heywood pulled away on the bottom.
Heywood started ninth on the and the win was number ten this season.
“The car was awesome on the bottom tonight,” Heywood said. “I have a lot of respect for Leon, he would sometimes come up to me and tell me to watch out tonight because he had a fast car.”
The field raced for 43 laps and pulled to the infield, leaving the track empty for the double checkerd flag, a tribute to the late Leon Gonyo. The Egglefield Ford, Riley Ford number four was brought out and parked in victory lane, with all drivers gathered around for victory lane.
Jake Branham, Bucko Branham, Chris Cayea and Roger Labreche completed the unofficial top five.
The Jeffords Steel Renegade division ran twin 20-lap features.
Jason McClatchie picked up his second win of the season. McClatchie passed Michael Wright on the outside to take the lead for good. Wright was in a tight side by side battle in the closing laps with Josh Terry and hung on for second. Terry, Tylor Terry and Robert Gordon completed the unofficial top five for the first feature.
A three wide move early in the race was the winning formula for Shawn Duquette as he collected his third checkered flag of the season. Zach Rabtoy was the fastest car on the stopwatch but ran out of laps and finished second. Brent Jarvis, Jason McClatchie and Richie Turner completed the unofficial top five in feature two.
Dale O’Neil won his thirteenth race of the season in the Busch Beer Mini Mod division. Josh LaPorte, Tyler Irwin, Tim LaFountain and Tyler Bresette completed the unofficial top five.
The winner and fourth place finisher of each race received bonus cash from the Gonyo Racing group, as they contributed to the race purse.
Racing action resumes today at 2 p.m. with championships to be crowned. Main gates will open at 11 a.m. For more information, visit airborneparkspeedway.com or facebook at Airborne Park Speedway.
Submitted By: John Walker
