8/15/2014
Airborne Park Speedway
Airborne drivers vying for NASCAR national and state honors
For Airborne Sportsman Modified drivers Nick Heywood and Jason Durgan of Plattsburgh, Travis Bruno of Morrisonville and Mark Lamberton of Mooers Forks, the final three nights of the regular season, including tonight’s program, are increasingly significant.
Airborne races under NASCAR sanction this year for the first time since the formation of the All-American Whelen Series, which names national and state champions based on a point system that considers the J&S Steel Sportsman Modifieds as Airborne’s lead division and the four Sportsman Modified title contenders as “rookies”.
Heywood, driver of the Budweiser/Warren Tire No. 29, is the defending Airborne Sportsman champion. His victory on MX Fuels/Gordon Oil Night last Saturday pushed him to the top of the track championship standings – three points better than Bruno and 21 points ahead of Lamberton.
In the New York State NASCAR standings – where the last Airborne regular to win a Sportsman championship was Hall-of-Famer Dick Nephew of Mooers in 1964, Heywood (554) leads Bruno (501) and Lamberton (490). In the category of NASCAR National Rookie of the Year – Heywood, ranked 12th overall, is the leading rookie by a 32-point margin over Durgan.
The Sportsman Modifieds are slated for a 30-lap feature on tonight’s card which is headlined by the Champlain Smiles 100 for the ACT-type Ground Round Late Models and includes race car rides for kids. The Late Model 100 pays $1,200 to win.
Also in action – the Key RD Trailer Sales Renegades and the Busch Mini Modifieds. Post time is 6 p.m. Admission is $12/adults – kids 12 and under admitted free.