PLATTSBURGH, NY – A strong crop of up-and-coming Modified stock car drivers is in position to break through at the top at Airborne Park Speedway. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is set to open on Saturday, May 2, and North Country racers Jamie LaFountain, Codie Aubin, Jayson Criss, and Chris Frennier are poised to make a run at the championship contenders.
That foursome was sprinkled throughout the Top 10 rankings last year, and represents just part of a list of racers looking to climb from the middle to the top of the standings in the J&S Steel Modified class. They’ll face stout competition from veterans Leon Gonyo, Bucko Branham, Jason Durgan, and three-time champion Nick Heywood, but a combined seven main event wins proves that they’re able to run up front.
LaFountain, of Keeseville, NY, owns four victories since 2012 and ranked fifth overall last season in his #20 Marsha Homes/Bob’s Trucking-sponsored car. Hometown driver Aubin finished sixth in the standings after his second career win last May, and is ready to debut a new partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation on his #7 Casella-sponsored racer.
Criss and Frennier will each enter their sophomore season this year. The 2014 Rookie of the Year, Plattsburgh racer Criss has new sponsorship from Labatt Blue Light to join Mott Marine, TM Auto Repair Center, and Garrant & Son Sanitation on his #30 car. West Chazy’s Frennier will run the colors of Unique Cigs, Egglefield Ford, The Law Firm of Alex Dell, and new sponsor Innokin Technology on his #93 machine. Criss posted his first win at the season finale in September, and Frennier had a top finish of second in July.
Other drivers looking to make gains in 2015 include Eric Lauziere, Mike Wells, Greg Atkins, Speedy Bresette, Rico Hernandez, and Brian McGinley, who has recovered from a serious leg injury sustained in a crash last summer. A big group of rookie racers is also expected to head to Airborne, including a handful of former champions from other divisions.