AKWESASNE, NY -- John Lazore could do no wrong in 2008 at Mohawk International Raceway (MIR), securing several wins on the way to the 2008 DIRTcar 358 championship. 2009 was a completely different story, with several bad breaks finding him shut out of the win column. Friday night, Lazore returned to form, taking the lead on lap 11 and going on to win the Frenchie’s Chevrolet DIRTcar 358 Modified feature in a race that went non-stop the entire 25 laps without a caution. Also in victory lane on Swamp’s Performance night were Dylan Evoy with his first win at MIR in the DIRTcar Sportsman, Ricky Thompson with his second Pro Stock feature win of the season, and Joey Foster kept his streak going with his sixth win in seven starts in the Bandits.

Tom Jock Jr. lead the first 11 laps of the DIRTcar 358 Modified feature and behind him, the competition was intense, with drivers running two and three-wide throughout the event. Jock had built up a comfortable lead in the early laps but John Lazore started his charge to the front, moving past third-place runner Lee Ladouceur for third on lap six, then picking off second-place man Clayton Benedict a lap later. Once ahead of Benedict, Lazore turned up the wick to run down Jock, catching the leader on lap nine. Jock and Lazore battled side-by-side for nearly two laps, but Lazore pulled ahead on lap 11 and from there on out he would not be challenged.

Lazore set a torrid pace for the final 14 laps, capturing the win by about half a straightaway. Behind him, Jock and Lee Ladouceur put on a great battle for second, with Ladoucuer finally pulling ahead on lap 16, and going on to finish in the runner-up spot for his best finish of the season. The final laps saw a spectacular three car battle between Jock, Tim Fuller and Carey Terrance. Fuller, after starting in the back half of the field and driving Lazore’s backup car, grabbed third-place in his first start of the season at MIR. Terrance came home fourth and Jock completed the top five.

Dylan Evoy grabbed the lead at the beginning of the Sportsman feature and while he was challenged by five-time Sportsman winner Chris Raabe down to the final laps, Evoy was able to race on to capture his first Sportsman win at MIR. Evoy and Raabe raced side-by-side in lapped traffic for several laps and behind them, the action was no less exciting as Robert Bublak grabbed third spot at the finish line by half a car-length over rookie Jeff Phillips, who posted his best run of the season. Brent Kelsey, after starting in the last row, picked off several cars in the final five laps to finish in fifth spot.

The Pro Stocks again got the fans buzzing with spectacular racing in their 20-lap main event. Harvey Arquette Jr. led at the drop of the green flag, with Rod Tarbell second and a knot of cars battling two and three wide for third on back. A lap twelve restart tightened up the field, putting Ricky Thompson on Arquette’s back bumper. The two dueled nose-to-tail, with Thompson looking for an opportunity to get by his teammate -- the opening came on lap 16, as Thompson roared up to the high line coming out of turn four and pulled ahead. Arquette, in a valiant effort to keep the lead, spun his car and brought out the caution, although he never stopped and recovered from the spin to fall into fifth place in the field as the caution waved. This put Tarbell back in the runner-up spot and while he applied the pressure to Thompson, Thompson was able to pull away to capture his second win of the season. Tarbell got shuffled high coming out of turn four on the final

lap, allowing Arquette to pull ahead and grab the second spot at the line by inches, with Tarbell third, Allen Peters fourth and Dion Oakes rounding out the top five.

Scott Mere lead the first two laps of the Bandit feature, but Joey Foster came charging on strong to grab the lead and power on for his sixth Bandit win of the season. Peter Cename was running strong in second until he spun on the final lap, to hand the runner-up spot to Jason Crites, for his best finish of the season. Scott Mere rallied from a lap three spin to come back to finish third.

Race fans had an unannounced surprise on Friday night -- four of the top World of Outlaw Late Model teams stopped in to take hot laps in preparation for the upcoming World of Outlaws Late Model 100-lapper on Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st.

Most familiar to local fans was Tim Fuller of Edwards, NY, a former World of Outlaw Late Model rookie of the year and currently fifth in points. Fuller did double-duty on Friday night, jumping into John Lazore’s back-up car, and after starting deep in the field, he scored an outstanding third place finish. Fuller is no stranger to MIR, with several wins in previous 358 Modified starts, but this was the first time the Outlaw Late Models had ever taken to the track.

Also in the pit area were defending Outlaw Late Model champion and current point leader Josh Richards, Clint Smith (currently 10th in points) and Jill George (14th in points). The Outlaws are in the middle of their Canadian swing but with an open Friday night, they wanted to check out the all-new MIR since the August 21st race will be one of their biggest races of the season, with the 100-lapper paying $20,000 to win out of a total purse of $120,000.

Two big nights of racing highlight this week’s action at Mohawk International Raceway. Wednesday, June 23rd, Jreck Subs presents the return of the SuperDIRT Big Block series, with a 100-lap main event for the Big Block Modifieds. This will be the first time in 15 years that the Big Block Modifieds have been at MIR and all of the biggest names on the SuperDIRT tour will be in the pit area. The Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman tour will also be on the card with a 50-lap main event. Time trials start at 7:15 PM with the first heat race set to start at 7:45 PM.

Then, Friday, June 25th is Lazore’s Construction night with a full show of racing for the Frenchie’s Chevrolet DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Pro Stocks and Bandits. Racing begins at 7:45 PM.

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010: SWAMP’S PERFORMANCE NIGHT

FRENCHIE’S CHEVROLET DIRTcar 358 MODIFIEDS (25 laps): John Lazore, Lee Ladouceur, Tim Fuller, Carey Terrance, Tom Jock Jr., Perry Francis, Roy Delormier, Todd Stewart, Clayton Benedict, Dave Heaslip, Gage Morin, Todd Stone, Roy Tarbell, Gardner Stone, Billy Cook, Ryan Jacobs, Derek Martin, Ryan Helm, Tammy Jalbert, Preston Forbes, Del LeGrow, Dan Jalbert, Melvin Rush, Casey Swamp. DNS: Clint Smith.

DIRTcar SPORTSMAN (20 laps): Dylan Evoy, Chris Raabe, Robert Bublak, Jeff Phillips, Brent Kelsey, Travis Back, Christine Martin, Mitch Primeau, Shawn Burke, Jenna David, Cory Winters, Christian Smoke, Brad Winters, Tom Benedict.

DIRTcar PRO STOCKS (20 laps): Ricky Thompson, Harvey Arquette Jr., Rod Tarbell, Allen Peters, Dion Oakes, Dave Bissonnette, Stephane LeBrun, Jody Swamp, Louie Jackson, Justin White, Dave Papineau, Claudia Tarbell, Thunder Anderson, Stuart Mossow, Trevor Arquiett, Billy Woodward Jr., Scott Kocher, Roch Aubin. DNS: Mike Pecore, Michael McCargar.

BANDITS (12 laps): Joey Foster, Jason Crites, Scott Mere, Bennett White, Darryl Mitchell, Derek Colbert, Cory Castell, Tammy Rogers, Peter Cename, Gary Sharlow, Thunder Anderson Jr., Henry Lamica.

Mohawk International Raceway is located in Akwesasne, NY, midway between the Seaway International Bridge to Cornwall, ONT and the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. From Route 37, turn south onto Frogtown Road. Racing is held on Friday nights at 7:45 PM from May through September, featuring the Frenchie’s Chevrolet DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, Sportsman and Pro Stocks, as well as the Bandit division. Visit us on the web at http://www.MohawkInternationalRaceway.com. The MIR office is 518-358-3225 and on race days, the track number is 518-358-9017. The track is owned and operated by Mohawk International Raceway, LLC.

FRENCHIE’S CHEVROLET DIRTcar 358 MODIFIEDS

John Lazore captured his first win since 2008 in the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds. Mike Watts Photo.

John Lazore (19) swings to the inside of Roy Tarbell (007) in heat race action for the 358 Modifieds. Mike Watts Photo.

Todd Stewart (72) works to the inside of Billy Cook (M70) in the 358 Modified feature. Mike Watts Photo.

Carey Terrance (66x) battled his way to a fourth place finish in Friday night’s feature. Here he runs to the outside of Perry Francis (55). Mike Watts Photo.

Gardner Stone (x1) works the inside lane on turn four while Carey Terrance (66x) takes the high road in 358 Modified heat race action. Mike Watts Photo.

Dave Heaslip (1) slips under Tammy Jalbert (95) early in the 358 Modified feature. Heaslip scored a tenth place finish. Mike Watts Photo.

DIRTcar SPORTSMAN

Dylan Evoy of Brockville won his first Sportsman feature at MIR on Friday night. Mike Watts Photo.

Dylan Evoy (83) bested rival Chris Raabe (01) in the Sportsman feature. Here, they battle side-by-side for the win in their qualifying heat race. Mike Watts Photo.

Jeff Phillips (4) and Travis Back (1) battle in Sportsman heat race action. Mike Watts Photo.

Mitch Primeau (88x) works the high line while Shawn Burke (28) hustles to the inside early in the Sportsman feature. Mike Watts Photo.

Mitch Primeau (88x) and Tom Benedict (9) put on a show for the fans in the Sportsman main event. Mike Watts Photo.

Brent Kelsey (30) had a flat tire in his heat race, which put him on the back row for the feature event. He made a great charge to finish fifth in the main event. Mike Watts Photo.

Christine Martin (81) and Cory Winters (33) battle in Sportsman qualifying action. Mike Watts Photo.

DIRTcar PRO STOCKS

Ricky Thompson grabbed his second Pro Stock feature win of the season. Mike Watts Photo.

There’s a race car behind that crowd! Well-wishers flock to congratulate Ricky Thompson on his Pro Stock win. Mike Watts Photo.

Harvey Arquette (7JR) went to a black paint scheme and it seems to be his lucky color -- he finished second in the Pro Stock feature to teammate Ricky Thompson after leadering the first 16 laps. Here he battles with Dave “Bulldog” Bissonnette (47). Mike Watts Photo.

Rod Tarbell (17) had a another strong run, with a third-place finish in the feature. Here he runs alongside Allen Peters (88) in their qualifying heat. Mike Watts Photo.

Claudia Tarbell (7D) powers off the inside of turn four while Louie Jackson (18) looks for traction on the high side in Pro Stock action. Mike Watts Photo.

BANDITS

Joey Foster won his sixth Bandit feature of the season. Mike Watts Photo.

SPECIALS

Tim Fuller took his World of Outlaws Late Model to MIR for some hot laps before coming home to finish third in the 358 Modified feature. Fuller is currently 5th in Outlaw points and is no stranger to MIR with several previous wins in the 358 Modifieds. He can be counted as an early favorite to win the World of Outlaws 100 on Saturday, August 21st. Mike Watts Photo.

Defending World of Outlaws champion and current point leader Josh Richards was on hand with his #1 Late Model. Several Outlaw teams were in the pit area on Friday night to check out MIR in advance of the 100-lap, $20,000 to win World of Outlaw Late Model race on Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st. Mike Watts Photo.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Fun Bus made its debut on Friday night. Members of the Kids’ Club will get a chance to win a ride around the race track on the Fun Bus. Mike Watts Photo.

All aboard! Chief Starter Austin Swamp acts as conductor while the young fans board the Fun Bus for their ride around the MIR speedway. Former Sportsman star Jeff Fullerton was the guest driver tonight. Mike Watts Photo.

Mohawk International Raceway is located in Akwesasne, NY, midway between the Seaway International Bridge to Cornwall, ONT and the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino. From Route 37, turn south onto Frogtown Road. Racing is held on Friday nights at 7:45 PM from May through September, featuring the Frenchie’s Chevrolet DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, Sportsman and Pro Stocks, as well as the Bandit division. Visit us on the web at http://www.MohawkInternationalRaceway.com. The MIR office is 518-358-3225 and on race days, the track number is 518-358-9017. The track is owned and operated by Mohawk International Raceway, LLC.

Mohawk Raceway cont’d..... see following page.

Bandit winner Joey Foster