Rain brings out checkers for Berthiaume
Gordon wins Renegade thriller
Airborne recap June 11, 2011
South Plattsburgh – Pierre Berthiaume of Joliette, QC was on the point in the Della Auto Group Modified feature when rain ended Airborne’s Saturday night race card. The event, scheduled for 30 laps, was delayed by two red flags and declared official after 17 laps were completed.
Berthiaume became the fourth different Modified winner in four events. He started fourth in a 30-car field in the Jacques Marier Racing No. 1 and took the lead from eventual runner-up Max Viens of Ste. Cesaire, QC on lap 9. and held the lead through three more restarts. Viens had a career-best second-place finish just ahead of George Foley in third. Leon Gonyo, Kris Vernold and Patrick Dupree held positions 4-5-6.
The first red flag came on lap 5 to tend to Bryant Trim who took a driver’s side hit after spinning from racing contact in turn two. Trim escaped serious injury. The second red flag was needed after Andy Heywood collided with Daniel Brown as Brown slowed with a deflating tire. Brown had battled Berthiaume and Viens up front for a dozen laps. As the field was being realigned, rainfall took over.
“The track was starting to get slippery,” Berthiaume said. “We had to stop the race, but I think I was going good. I was in a good spot to win.” George Foley, who stormed up to third from 18th on the grid and was pressing Viens for second, had to settle for his third top-5 finish.
Robert Gordon of Milton, VT won a Versatile Trailer Sales Renegade thriller by inches over defending track champion Kevin Boutin. As Gordon raced on the outside with Boutin in the bottom groove, the pair swapped the lead repeatedly for the final seven laps. The win was Gordon’s third of the year.
Don Franklin finished third, a car-length ahead of Josh Terry fourth with Lance Rabtoy fifth.
The start of qualifying heats for all divisions was delayed 45 minutes at the outset by rain.
The NAPA Mini Modifieds get the spotlight Saturday, June 18 for a 25-lap, $250-to-win event. Post time 6 p.m.
Modified Feature
1. Pierre Berthiaume
2. Max Viens
3. George Foley
4. Leon Gonyo
5. Kris Vernold
6. Patrick Dupree
7. Martin Roy
8. Patrick McGrail
9. Jimmy Ryan
10.Chris Cayea
11.Todd Ormsby
12.Aaron Bartemy
13.Matt Woodruff
14.Martin Hebert
15.Vince Quenneville
16.Andy Lindemann
17.Mike Reyell
18.Mike Phinney
19.Craig Reyell
20.Jim McComb
21.Jason Durgan
22.Mike Wells
23.Greg Atkins
24.Daniel Brown
25.Andy Heywood
26.Adam Bartemy
27.Rodger Labreche
28.Bryant Trim
29.Don Scarborough
30.Jason Bruno