PLATTSBURGH -- A large field of DIRTcar modifieds is expected when Airborne Speedway begins its 57th stock car racing season Saturday. Among the drivers pointing to the opener is Bloomingdale's Matt Woodruff, who finished sixth in points in 2007 despite the lack of a full-time primary sponsor.
"Liquor & Wine Warehouse in Plattsburgh has signed on this year and I'm sure it will be a big help," Woodruff said this week. "I also have Roberts Sports Center of Saranac and The Investment Center in Malone as sponsors.
"This is my fourth season and I've learned that consistency is key to making a run for the championship. I had a couple of second-place finishes last year and most of the time, we were able to put the car in the hauler in one piece.
"I support the new gear and tire rules. I think it's a good call. It's going to tighten up the field. Cars will be turning less rpms, which will save on the motors. I ran about the same gears last year, so I won't have as much of an adjustment as some."
"I've put my motor from last year in a Bicknell chassis car I purchased from Mark Lamberton," Woodruff adds. "Spencer Branch is my crew chief. We had the car going pretty well at the first practice.
"We're focusing on being able to run on the outside more. If you can go out there and make the car stick, you can have something for the boys that run up front like Foley, (Patrick) Dupree, (Mike) Bruno and Leon (Gonyo). Am I ready for the season to start? Absolutely. Let's get out there and get going."
"I'm a race fan,' says Steve Carpenter of Liquor & Wine Warehouse. "Airborne has great live, up-close action. It draws people from Vermont and Canada. Plattsburgh should be very honored to have such good family entertainment in itsbackyard."
Scott Carpenter, General Manager of Econo-Lodge, the opening night sponsor, agrees with his brother.
"We used to be involved with Airborne several years ago and we're glad to back. It's a great opportunity," Carpenter said. "We've seen it grow and we're proud to be a part of it."
Post time Saturday is 5 p.m. with gates opening at 3 p.m. Five weekly divisions with more than 100 race cars are expected to be in action. The main event is a 50-lapper for the Ernie's Tools Modifieds.
The American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model Tour will visit Airborne Saturday, May 17 for the Furniture World of Vermont Spring Green 100.
Malone gearing up
for May 25 opener
MALONE -- Malone Speedway will be back under green this season with the season opener, a Memorial Day Special, scheduled for Saturday May 25. The modifieds, Super Sportsman, Super Streets and 4 Cylinder Streets all will be in action. Gates will open at 11 a.m. with heats beginning at 1 p.m.
The Speedway will then move to a Friday Night schedule with racing getting under way at 7 p.m.
The track will open for inspection and practice this Saturday, from 1-5 p.m. Subsequent practice sessions are scheduled for May 11, 17 and 24 leading up to opening day. Each session will run from 1-5 p.m.
John "Chick" Fountain is track manager and promoter with Ed Agnew, Jr., race director the 2008 season. Billy Fountain will serve as pit steward and Bill Dominy and Harold LaVair as tech inspectors. Ken Snyder will be the flagman and Glenda King, media director.
Trim readying for
Adirondack season
NEW BREMEN -- Morrisonville's Bryant Trim was among the drivers turning out Saturday for the first of two preseason Test and Tune sessions at Adirondack International Speedway. More than 20 racers were on hand with another session scheduled for this Saturday. The season will open May 17.
In the ASA Challenger Late Model division, Tommy Cloce of Potsdam turned the quickest laps of the day in his No. 3 Toyota Camry. Cloce is readying for a comeback season at AIS after a somewhat quiet year in 2007.
Trim, 24, is preparing for an all-out assault on the championship in '08 after finishing fourth in the point standings last season.
The practice session Saturday will be from noon-4 p.m. with admission free, except for a $10 charge for the pits.
The opener will be headlined with a 100-lap ASA Challenger Late Model Renegade Nationals Qualifier. The top five finishers will be guaranteed starters in the Second Annual TJ Toyota/Waite Toyota Renegade Nationals 200 Oct. 2.
For more information, call the Speedway at (315) 346-RACE or consult the Speedway website at www.adirondackspeedway.com.
Sports
Woodruff ready for Airborne opener
- Local Sports
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Peru wrestlers defend Section VII title
Indians grab eight champions; Saranac, NAC crown three each in the Section VII wrestling championships.
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Eagles fall in hockey title game
Potsdam's third period goal defeats Beekmantown in the Upstate Girl's Hockey League championship.
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Cardinals bounce back against Knights
Plattsburgh State knocks off Geneseo in SUNY Athletic Conference men's hockey.
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PSU women win but don't get standings help
The Plattsburgh State women's hockey team beat Utica, but its chances of finishing first diminished because RIT also won.
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Plattsburgh boys repeat in swimming
Hornets take Section VII/X swimming title, break sectional record.
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Chiefs victorious in sectional track
Saranac captured both boys and girls Section VII track & field titles
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Clinton weathers Mohawk's hot shooting
Cougars outduel Hawks in women's basketball; North Country rolls in second half in men's basketball.
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Tolosky nets two, including game-winner, for Hornets
Plattsburgh falls behind Tupper Lake, but scores two in third for a boys' hockey victory; Saranac falls to Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa.
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Marlow leads Huskies in NAC track
Franklin Academy took first in Northern Athletic Conference boys' track and field, and the girls finished second.
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Sports Shorts: February 12, 2012
ADK chapter to hold events; Missing Children's tourney has openings; Youth Bureau to host winter program
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Area Sports: February 12, 2012
A schedule of sports events today involving area teams and venues.
- February 11, 2012
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Votraw's three gives Plattsburgh Div. I title
Patriots give Douglass 100th win; Peru, Ticonderoga grab wins in CVAC boys' basketball.
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Schroon Lake takes control of MVAC's North Division
Warriors, Indians, Orange, Blue Bombers capture victories in MVAC boys' basketball
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Beekmantown back in hockey finals
Eagles defeat Alexandria Bay in the Upstate Girls' Hockey League semifinals, will play Potsdam today for the title.
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Brockport stuns Plattsburgh State
Cardinals give up two goals in third period to fall to Golden Eagles in men's college hockey.
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Plattsburgh State clinches playoff berth
Cardinals defeat Potsdam for first road conference win of the season in women's college basketball.
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Cold shooting second half dooms Cardinals
Plattsburgh State falls to Potsdam with opportunity to seal playoff berth in men's college basketball.
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Plattsburgh State travels to Utica
Cardinals wrap up regular season schedule against Pioneers in women's college hockey.
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Peru looks to defend Section VII title
Indians hold nine top seeds out of 15 weight classes in Section VII wrestling championships.
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Frechette, Bradish combine for five goals in Eagles' win
Beekmantown defeats Burnt Hills/Ballston Spa in boy's hockey.
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Yellowjackets ruin Bulldogs' perfect season
Madrid-Waddington, Chateaugay finish tied for NAC boys' basketball lead.
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Area sports: February 11, 2012
A schedule of sports events this weekend involving area teams and venues.
- February 10, 2012
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Cadieux earning time in net
The sophomore newcomer has been Plattsburgh State's main goalie in the second half of the season.
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Cards can clinch playoff spot tonight
The Plattsburgh State men's basketball team visits Potsdam.
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Peru wrestlers defend Section VII title






