Lonnie Rivers (R7) and Caleb Drugan (17) duel for the lead in the JS Steel Sportsman Modified, where Rivers would get his first win of the season. PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. Airborne Park Speedway returned to action Thursday, July 30, for its ninth race of the season on Rain Pro of Vermont Night. All weekly divisions were on the card, including the Hartson Total Opening 358 Modifieds, JS Steel Sportsman Modifieds, Rain Pro of Vermont Limited Sportsman Modifieds, Renegades, Mini Stocks, and Crown Vics. A solid crowd filled the grandstands for a full program highlighted by a $ 500-to-win Limited Sportsman main event. Before feature racing began, the track hosted Kids Ride Night, giving young fans the chance to ride in race cars during intermission. The Crown Vics opened the feature program with ten cars taking the green for 20 laps. Benjamin Deyo led early, but multi-time winner Richie Turner charged from mid-pack, took control, and drove away for another victory. Josh Muir and Eric Friend completed the top three. In the points chase, Scott Richner and Nate Steady remained separated by eight markers. The Rain Pro of Vermont Limited Sportsman Modifieds rolled out next with eleven cars battling for the $500 prize.
Josh Patterson led early with pressure from Cody Gregoropolus, but David Johnson surged past both in the closing laps to claim his fourth win of the season — fittingly on his sponsor’s night. Johnson moved to fourth in points, 20 out of the lead. Bro Roberts finished sixth to cut the standings gap in half, while Gary English’s ninth place run trimmed the margin to eight points. Sixteen Hartson Total Opening 358 Modifieds took the track for their 30-lap feature. Polesitter Chris Raabe jumped out front and faced heavy pressure from the top two in points, who worked from deep in the field to challenge. Raabe held strong to snap Mike Mahaney’s fourth win streak and move to fourth in the standings. Mahaney and Felix Roy finished second and third, maintaining their 17-point separation atop the title hunt. The Renegades followed with eleven cars for 20 laps. Shawn Duquette led early, but Bill Thwaits charged from fifth and reignited the season-long duel between the two. Thwaits took over near halfway and held on for his fourth win of the year, trimming the points gap to four as Duquette finished second. Nineteen JS Steel Sportsman Modifieds took the green for 25 laps. Vince Quenville led early before Caleb Durgan took command. In the late stages, Durgan and Lonnie Rivers staged a tight battle for the top spot, with Rivers making the winning move in the closing laps to secure his first victory of the season.
Cory Castell and Travis Bruno completed the podium, while Durgan slipped to fourth. Bruno’s third-place finish, combined with Nick Heywood’s ninth, extended Bruno’s points lead to 21. The Mini Stocks closed the night with a 25-car, 15-lap feature. JP Corrow led early, but Speedy Bressette and Tyler Bell charged forward to challenge. At the line, Bressette edged Corrow by half a car length for his third win of the season. Corrow’s runner-up finish extended his points lead to 18 over Jeremiah King, who finished eighth. Airborne Park Speedway returns Saturday, August 8, for its lone Saturday event of the season — Make A Wish Night, featuring the annual appearance of the Mohawk Valley Vintage Dirt Series. Gallery