Wells upsets Airborne Modifieds

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July 10, 2011

Anonymous Press-Republican The Press Republican Sun Jul 10, 2011, 03:23 AM EDT

SOUTH PLATTSBURGH — Mike Wells of West Chazy had hundreds of underdog rooters on their feet as he retook the lead from Martin Roy with five laps left in the 30-lap Modified feature and drove off to his first career win.

Wells started on the pole in the G&G Auto Parts No. 76 and stayed in the lead through four restarts in the first 12 laps before Roy took over on lap 13. The former track champion quickly built a five car-length advantage before a fifth restart tightened the field with

Suddenly on lap 22, Wells, working the bottom groove with Pat McGrail and Andy Heywood in tow, reached Roy's door. On lap 25, he regained the lead entering turn three as Roy faded and finally pitted for a new right rear tire.

"When the No. 90 passed me, I thought — now I'm racing for second and more of the big guys are coming," Wells said. "Then I was able to get back to him. I didn't overdrive when I got to his rear wheel. When I jumped on my horse and she responded."

McGrail stayed close for second. Heywood held off Aaron Bartemy and Patrick Dupree to finish third. Dupree pressured Bartemy for the final 15 laps, but couldn't advance. Positions 6-10 went to Vince Quenneville, Kris Vernold, Max Viens, Martin Hebert and Don Scarborough.

Wells had shown promise earlier when he won his heat and earned a spot in the Ernie's Discount Tools Modified six-lap "Dash for Cash". Roy won the dash and said "maybe tonight's it's my turn," but Wells had other ideas.

"I'm so excited," Wells said after a rooftop victory dance in victory lane. "In West Chazy, the beer's on me."

Wells moved up front the Sportsman division in 2009.

Bucko Branham, driving the Liquor and Wine Warehouse No. 20, won the J&S Steel Sportsman feature with relative ease after taking the lead on lap 8. Danny Sullivan and Jamy Begor finished 2nd and 3rd. Branham won his heat race as did Travis Bruno.

"Sometimes getting pinned on the bottom has been my downfall this year," Branham said. "I made the bottom work today."

The NAPA Mini Modifieds had two features. Point leader CJ Lavair of Gabrels won the opener after contact on the backstretch with leader Kris Clark, who held on for second with Erick Sayles third. Clark finished second in round two as well, trailing only winner Jamie LaFountain of Keeseville.

Kevin Boutin won the Renegade feature. Josh Durivage scored his fifth win in the Bomber feature.