Airborne Speedway Gearing Up For Season Opener

Story By: ROBBY KNOWLES / AIRBORNE PARK SPEEDWAY – PLATTSBURGH, NY – The 2017 racing season is set to take the green flag this Saturday, May 20 at Airborne Park Speedway. The opener will be Econo Lodge Autograph Night presented by A-Verdi Storage Containers with a special appearance by the TUSA Mod Lites.

2017 will feature five racing divisions with exciting DIRTcar action. The Egglefield Ford 358-Modifieds, Fidelis Care Sportsman, Poirier’s True Value Renegades, Busch Beer Mini-Mods and the Strictly Stocks.

It will be the first time in 26 years, drivers will prepare their cars for a dirt surface rather than an asphalt surface. For a number of local drivers, it will be the first-time racing on dirt and they will have their hands full with the learning curve. The chase will be between the non-dirt regulars and the invaders. How long will it take before the likes of Bucko Branham and Nick Heywood catch on?

A practice was held this afternoon for all five of the racing divisions. Among some drivers in attendance for the 358’s included Greg Atkins, Patrick Dupree, George Foley, Mark Lamberton, Matt Woodruff, Brandon Atkins, Travis Bruno and Ryan McLean. 602 Sportsman in attendance included Codie Aubin, John Scarborough, Jamy Begor, Chris Cayea, Nick Heywood, Pat Leary, Zack Daniels, Bucko Branham, Cory McCoy and Rico Hernandez.

After speaking with a number of drivers, many were very positive and happy with the progress of the track. Many noted that they anticipate this to be an extremely fast track. The quick 358-Modified and Sportsman times were 17.8 and 18.5 seconds, respectively.

Post Time for Saturday’s event will be 7 p.m. Main gates will open at 5:30 with pit gates opening at 4:00.

Stay tuned to airborneparkspeedway.com for more updates, including a possible mid-week practice coming up.