PHOTO: Martin Roy celebrated his first Airborne Speedway win of the year with his trademark ‘Martin Shuffle’ roof dance on Saturday. (Ricky St. Clair/VMM photo)

–by Ricky St. Clair

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — On a night where Airborne Speedway saw four repeat winners from two weeks ago, Martin Roy decided to shake things up a bit by claiming the checkered flag in the Ernie’s Discount Tools Modified 30-lap feature presented by Northern Cakes, Loreman’s Screen Printing and Embroidery, and Haley Lumber.

Two weeks ago on opening night, Napierville, Que., driver Roy led 34 of the event’s 50 laps in convincing fashion, but despite dominating over two-thirds of the race, Roy faded to finish sixth due to a right-rear tire going down.

On Saturday, though, the 2009 track champion used a lap-18 restart to slingshot underneath race leader Pierre Berthiaume in turns one and two to solidify himself in the top spot.

Roy noted that the key to his race winning pass was due to the handling of his Modified after the sun had set on the Airborne half-mile.

“The racing today was tough with the sun out all afternoon,” Roy said. “Once the sun went down, the outside groove got better. Tonight, I was taking my time. On that lap 18 restart, I tried my best to get into the lead.”

Roy’s crew chief, Steve Morin, was happy to bounce back by claiming the victory in Saturday night’s main event.

“Last race, we had a right rear tire going flat,” Morin said. “We just beat ourselves with that. But today, we really took care of tire wear. The car was pretty much perfect all day. It’s nice to come back here and win it.”

Berthiaume, of Joliette, Que., went on to finish second, while Saranac Lake, N.Y., driver George Foley, Morrisonville, N.Y.’s Bryant Trim, and Clintonville, N.Y.’s Greg Atkins rounded out the top five.

Chazy veteran Leon Gonyo, Brandon, Vt., driver Vince Quenneville, Jr., Morrisonville, N.Y., competitors Andy Heywood and Jason Bruno, and Mooers Forks, N.Y., campaigner Chris Cayea completed the unofficial top ten.

Plattsburgh, N.Y.’s Robin Wood went wire-to-wire and claimed his second consecutive victory of his 2011 title defense season in the J&S Steel Sportsman feature. Wood took advantage of his outside front row starting position and was forced to hold off a hard charging Jamy Begor to earn the checkers.

Begor, of Mooers Forks, finished second, while hometown driver Nick Heywood, Morrisonville’s Tylor Terry, and Altona, N.Y.’s Howard Stoner grabbed top five honors.

Milton, Vt., driver Robert Gordon also picked up his second victory by taking top honors in the Versatile Trailer Sales Renegade main event. Gordon defeated last year’s division champion and fellow Milton driver Kevin Boutin by just 0.165 seconds.

Chris LaVair of Gabriels, N.Y., earned the Keeseville NAPA Mini-Modified feature victory. Speedy Bresette, Josh Lavarnway, Scott Richner, and Josh LaPorte earned top five honors.

West Chazy, N.Y., driver Josh Durivage was victorious in the Busch Beer Bomber main event.

Racing continues next Saturday night at Airborne Speedway as Casella Waste Management and Marsha Homes will sponsor the racing card. The Renegades will take center stage with a 50-lap, $500-to-win feature. Post time is scheduled for 6pm.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS — Northern Cakes/Buck Supply Night
Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Pos.-Driver-Hometown
(# – denotes rookie)

Ernie’s Discount Tools Modifieds
1. Martin Roy, Napierville, Que.
2. Pierre Berthiaume, Joliette, Que.
3. George Foley, Saranac Lake, N.Y.
4. Bryant Trim, Morrisonville, N.Y.
5. Greg Atkins, Clintonville, N.Y.
6. Leon Gonyo, Chazy, N.Y.
7. Vince Quenneville, Brandon, Vt.
8. Andy Heywood, Morrisonville, N.Y.
9. Jason Bruno, Morrisonville, N.Y.
10. Chris Cayea, Mooers Forks, N.Y.

J&S Steel Sportsman
1. Robin Wood, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
2. Jamy Begor, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
3. Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
4. Tylor Terry, Morrisonville, N.Y.
5. Howard Stoner, Altona, N.Y.
6. Keith Pelkey, Clintonville, N.Y.
7. Jim Bushey, Mooers Forks, N.Y.
8. Jamie Atkins, Ausable Forks, N.Y.
9. Danny Sullivan, Morrisonville, N.Y.
10. Travis Bruno, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Versatile Trailer Sales Renegades
1. Robert Gordon, Milton, Vt.
2. Kevin Boutin, Milton, Vt.
3. Lance Rabtoy, Fairfax, Vt.
4. Joe Daniels, Saranac, N.Y.
5. Joe Warren, West Chazy, N.Y.
6. Don Franklin, Milton, Vt.
7. Jason McClatchie, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
8. Josh Terry, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
9. Dave Drake, Ausable Forks, N.Y.
10. Dan Dubuque, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Keeseville NAPA Mini-Modifieds
1. Chris LaVair, Gabriels, N.Y.
2. Speedy Bresette, Peru, N.Y.
3. Josh Lavarnway, Morrisonville, N.Y.
4. Scott Richner, Rouses Point, N.Y.
5. Josh LaPorte, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Busch Beer Bombers
1. Josh Durviage, West Chazy, N.Y.
2. Curtis LaGrave, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
3. Travis Sherman, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
4. Bill Joyal, Sr., Ausable Forks, N.Y.
5. John-Michael Bresette, Keeseville, N.Y.