News Director 
Story By: TIM BALTZ / MOHAWK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY – HOGANSBURG, NY – It all started back in May, four months later it’s the time of year everyone anticipates and also dreads as the 2019 racing season is nearing completion as track and series championships will be decided with Frenchie’s Chevrolet and Frenchie’s Ford on hand.
The Twin Leaf Stores 358 Modifieds sees two young talents leading the way and separated by 30 points heading into Friday night’s program. Last week’s winner and point leader Chris Raabe is seeking his 2nd title after winning it as a rookie in 2011. Michael Maresca finished in the third spot and will have his machine tuned and ready for action this weekend as he seeks his first track title at MIR.
The MIR 358 Modified Series will be decided this weekend and two-time and defending series champion Tim Fuller holds a 17-point lead over last week’s runner up Lance Willix. Fuller sits 4th on the series all time win list with four wins, will look to claim his second series win in a row after winning the Independence Day show in July as Chris Raabe took the opening Memorial Cup event on May 24th.
In Crossroads Tobacco Sportsman action Shane Pecore claimed the 35 lap MIR Sportsman series win, his 4th win of the season, in dramatic style with a last lap pass on Brianna Ladouceur. With the win Pecore now holds a 70-point lead which is more than enough to close the door on his first Mohawk Sportsman championship. With the title in Pecore’s hands only 4 points separate positions 2nd through 4th in the standing. Thomas Cook sits 2nd at 607, Zach Arquiett is 3rd at 604 and Brianna Ladouceur sits 4th at 603. This battle could go either way and all will be watching.
With a 77-point advantage heading into Friday night Kevin Foster has locked up his first ever Mod Lite track title over 2017 champion Nick Mallette. Foster has three wins on the year and never finished worse than 7th throughout the 2019 season which also saw him finish 2nd five consecutive weeks. Foster will try to out run Mallette and third place point man Harley Brown for his 4th win of the year.
Off his 7th win of 2019 Matt Zira locked up his 1st Bandit track title of his career as he currently holds a 99-point lead over Jeff Putnam with Francis White holding the third spot in the championship standings. Zira will look for his 8th win of the year but a tough field will be on hand and giving the newly crowned champion all, he can handle.
A great regular season will close out and with one opportunity left for drivers to get to victory lane everyone will be battling hard to grab the final checkered flag of the year. Racing gets underway as always at 7:30pm. Reminder to all Canadian race fans that Canadian Money will be accepted at par at the main gate all season long. Also do not forget to grab a receipt at the toll booth in exchange for a free bridge pass that night.
