Patrick Dupree saved the best for last, passing Todd Stone for the lead on lap 48 of the 50-lap Ernie’s Discount Tools Modified feature and holding on for a one car-length victory at Airborne Speedway Sunday.
Stone, who had led from the outset through three restarts, was sizing up a backmarker that was racing at speed entering the third turn, when Dupree dove underneath both cars and took over first place.
“That was a workout,” Dupree said. “I was sitting outside the top ten for over half the race. I was trying to save my tires, but then I was wondering if I could ever get close to the front.”
“The lapped traffic helped me and then I saw Todd was getting a little loose,” Dupree added. “I’m glad it worked out.”
Dupree started 18th in a 27-car field. Stone began on the outside pole.
Greg Atkins, who started 5th, hung with Stone most of the way. He caught Pat McGrail for third on the final lap. Richard Tisseur finished a strong fifth, a car-length ahead of 6th-place Andy Heywood.
Positions 7-10 went to Craig Reyell, Keith Flach, Vince Quenneville and George Foley. At he halfway mark, the running order was Stone, Atkins, McGrail, Reyell and Tisseur.
Defending Key RD Trailer Sales Renegade champion Kevin Boutin of Fairfax, VT outlasted Josh Terry of Morrisonville to win the 25-lap Renegade feature. The pair raced a few feet apart for over 15 laps. Robert Gordon finished third. Robbie Favreau and Rick Doner completed the top five.
The J&S Steel Limited Late Model feature didn’t get a lap in before a multi-car crash in the fourth turn brought out the red flag. Bucko Branham dominated the event once green-flag racing resumed. Shawn Duquette was the runner-up. Fred Lagoy placed third.
Nick Heywood of Plattsburgh won the inaugural Sportsman Modified feature. Heywood pulled away from Lonnie Rivers in the closing laps. Jason Branham, Codie Aubin and Sebastien Fournier were next in line.
Mini Modified winner Josh LeClaire of Plattsburgh lost a long lead when a late race restart was needed after Tim LaFountain rolled over three times, but he kept runner-up Erick Sayles at bay for the final two laps. Michael Whalen, Dale O’Neil and David Bresette rounded out the top five.
Econo Lodge 50 Season Opener
Ernie’s Discount Tools Modified Finish:Feature (35 laps): 1. Patrick Dupree, 2. Todd Stone, 3. Greg Atkins, 4. Pat McGrail 5. Richard Tisseur, 6. Andy Heywood, 7. Craig Reyell, 8. Keith Flach, 9. Vince Quenneville, 10.George Foley, 11.Leon Gonyo, 12.Chris Cayea, 13. Adam Bartemy, 14. Aaron Bartemy, 15.Andy Lindeman, 16.Maxime Viens, 17.Kris Vernold, 18.Mike Reyell, 19.Jason Durgan, 20.Todd Ormsby, 21.Mikael Labreche, 22.Pierre Berthiaume, 23.Roger Labreche, 24.Daniel Brown, 25.Gardiner Stone, 26.Michael Viens, 27.Jessey Meuller.
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