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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Chiefs, Eagles advance to 'B' final
Saranac edged NCCS and Beekmantown downed PHS in Section VII Class B baseball semifinals.
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Team tennis titles to be decided today
PHS and Peru will battle for the Section VII Class B boys' team title today, while NCCS hosts Beekmantown in girls' play.
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Sports shorts: May 29, 2012
Babe Ruth tryouts today; 3D archery shoot set for June 2-3; Alongquin Chapter holding events June 2, 3 and more.
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Area sports: May 29, 2012
A schedule of sports events today featuring local teams and venues.
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Former Seton Catholic standout Hartung headed to NCAAs
Former Seton Catholic standout Genna Hartung qualified for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships as a member of the Cornell team.
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Cards sweep, throw no-hitter in CVBL action
The Fourth Ward Cardinals swept the Lyon Mountain Miners, and in one game threw a no-hitter in CVBL play; A's and Expos, T'jaxx and Padres split games.
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Peru's Bushey, Forget win wrestling titles
Peru's Jordan Bushey and Nick Forget, representing the Cellar Dwellers Wrestling Club, recently won their weight classes at the New York State Greco-Roman and Freestyle Championships.
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MVAC announces 2012 winter scholar athletes
The Mountain and Valley Athletic Conference announced scholar athletes for the 2012 winter sports season.
- May 27, 2012
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Saranac boys win fourth straight Section VII track and field title
Saranac used depth and skill to win its fourth straight Section VII boys' track and field title.
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Eagles end Saranac's five-year Section VII track reign
Saranac won the last five Section VII girls' track and field championships, but on Saturday Beekmantown ended the dynasty.
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Bissonette, Higgins capture Section VII tennis titles
Shawn Bissonette and Abby Higgins captured Section VII singles titles in tennis, while the duos of Alex Jelinek/Nick Stosiek and Alexandra Provost and Bailey Waterbury won doubles titles.
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Expos off to fast CVBL start
Meron's Expos enter today's CVBL games as the only unbeaten team left in the league.
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Robinson, Planck continue early Mohawk success
Dale Planck and Mathieu Robinson continued their hot starts at Mohawk International Speedway Friday night.
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Labatt Blue holds first place in ADK Slo-Pitch
Perennial A Division power Labatt Blue has taken over sole possession of first place in the Adirondack Slo-Pitch Softball League with a 7-1 record.
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McClatchie wins Renegade feature, new recliner
Jason McClatchie won the 50-lap Renegade feature and earned himself a new reclinder in the process at Airborne Speedway.
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Downhill cyclists gear up for Whiteface 5K
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Sports shorts: May 27, 2012
Ameri-Can North spring games this week; The Barracks Member Scramble today; Adirondack to hold ladies' league and more.
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Area sports: May 27, 2012
A schedule of sports events today featuring local teams and venues.
- May 26, 2012
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Votraw nabs Sec. 7 golf crown
Plattsburgh High's Ethan Votraw won the Section VII Golf Championships, with last year's winner, AuSable Valley's John Hickey, taking second.
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Emma, Claire Deshaies share sisterly bond on PHS track team
Sisters Emma and Claire Deshaies, a senior and eighth grader, respectively, have enjoyed the opportunity to be teammates on the PHS track and field team. INCLUDES VIDEO
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Section VII Track and Field Championships today
The Section VII Track and Field Championships will be held today in Lake Placid.
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Hornets edged Red Storm in 'B' quarters
The Section VII baseball tournament got started Friday. PHS, NCCC and B'town won in Class B quarterfinals; Ticonderoga, Morah win 'C' semis and E'town-Lewis and Indian Lake/Long Lake grabbed 'D' quarterfinal victories.
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Peru finishes golf season with win
The Peru golf team finished its CVAC season with a win over AuSable Valley using scores from the first day of the Section VII Golf Championships.
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Boyle pitches Keene past Westport
The Section VII softball tournament started Friday. Keene and E'town-Lewis got wins in 'D' quarterfinals while Ticonderoga and Lake Placid won in 'C' semifinals.
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Chiefs, Eagles advance to 'B' final


