5/8/2024
Can-Am Speedway
Defending Track Champions Return to Form Heading Into Off Week at Can-Am
The Golden Jubilee Season at the Can Am Speedway has seen two action packed weeks in all five divisions with veterans and new comers getting to victory lane already, but last week a pair of former champions returned to their winning ways.
In the Whitesboro Plow Shop DIRTCar 358 Modifieds Tim Fuller claimed his 1st win of 2024 and 43rd of his hall of fame modified career at Can-Am, but the win didn’t come easy. 2019 champion Ryan Arbuthnot looked to have the field covered on this night and looked well on his way to a win. Fuller had made his way to second as the laps clicked off, but needed help to catch the leader. That would come in the form of a lap 21 caution. On the restart Arbuthnot did what he could but Fuller was too strong, driving by Arbuthnot on lap 22 of the 25 lap event as he marched on for the win after coming from the 12th starting spot. Last weeks winner Billy Dunn was stuck back in traffic all evening and came home in the 11th position.
The Bob Johnson Auto Group DIRTCar Sportsman was a flat out driving clinic put on by Carthage New York’s Ryan Shanahan. He took the lead on lap 6 and was never challenged throughout the 20 lap feature, building up a straight away lead by the time he took the checkered flag from starter Mike Laclair last Friday night. The win was his 4th at Can-Am and first win since the final points night in 2023. Last week’s winner and four time defending track champion Tyler Corcoran finished second with Mike Fowler third after a flip in the DIRTCar Sportsman Series event on opening day. Gavin Eisele scored his second straight top 5 with a fourth place effort while Brennan Moore finished 5th, the top Canadian in the field.
The Panther Frame Worx Crate Sprint Cars was a battle between Picton Ontario’s Andrew Hennessey and two-time and defending track champion Josh Verne Jr. Verne, took the lead on lap 6 and made it look easy to score his first win of the season in the 20 lapper. Ken Klinkowski finished a career best second while Hennessey crossed in third. Last week’s winner Tucker Donath retired from the event early with a broken front end.
The evening also saw some great racing in the Sundance Leisure Thundercar division as Damien Bechler took the top spot away from 2021 track champion Tony Frezzo on lap 4 of the 15 lap event and looked to have a sure win in his hands. Defending track champion Francis White was looking to get back to winning form as he charged to second and tried his best to run down the leader. A lap 13 caution slowed the race giving White one last shot. In the end Damien Bechler was too strong as he claimed his first win of the season. Last week’s winner Lyle Robinson had a tough night spinning late in the race.
Who will stop Logan Brown in the Donath Motor Worx Limited Sportsman? The other question is, will he ever stop winning? Brown took the lead from early pace setter Brady Howard in the 12 lap race and never looked back scoring his second win in his second ever race, keeping his perfect career record intact. Kyle Reif held off a very determined Genavieve Bartlett for the runner up spot with Bartlett crossing in third.
This past Friday night saw a packed house and staff at the speedway thank everyone for coming out and enjoying a great night of racing.
This coming Friday teams will have a chance to give their cars a chance to relax as there is no racing this weekend, but the speedway and its top stars will be back May 17th for Youth Sports Night.
The Golden Jubilee Season marches on! See you May 17th for a full program in all five classes. Racing starts at 7pm. Check out our website at racecanam.com for the latest news, points and results. Don’t forget to give the speedway a follow on Facebook and be sure to "favorite" Can-Am Speedway on My Race Pass.
Article Credit: Tim Baltz
Submitted By: Tyler & Michelle Bartlett