Hot Starts and Title Fights Define Opening Month at Can-Am Speedway

COLUMN BY: Tim Baltz / CAN AM SPEEDWAY – LA FARGEVILLE, NY  – As we head into the Memorial Day weekend break at the Can Am Speedway in Lafargeville New York, it’s time to take a quick look at what has gone on the opening four weeks of the season in all five classes.

Whitesboro Plow Shop DIRTCar 358 Modified:

The first four races of the season have shown that the veterans aren’t going away. Tim Fuller has rebounded in a big way with an opening day win, the 50th of his Can Am career in a Modified and added a 2nd win on May 15th to get back atop the point standings. Billy Dunn is looking for history and put himself closer to Hall of Famer Pat O’Brien’s record with his 71st and 72nd career wins on May 1st and May 8th and sits 22 points behind the leader. Lance Willix may not be having the start he wants but is very much a part of the title talk along with Shaun Shaw, who has had strong runs to start the year. Both trail Fuller by 50 points. Jackson Gill is also off to a great start currently 5th in points, 63 markers behind, but has time to make something happen. The Plessis New York driver, has been a strong contender for feature wins to begin the season with a best finish of 3rd on April 24th.

Bob Johnson Auto Group DIRTCar Sportsman:

It’s been a very competitive field with four strong runners, claiming the first four races of the 2026 campaign. Brennan Moore kicked off the year winning his first ever DIRTCar Sportsman Series race, while defending track champion Gavin Eisele also has a win with Tyler Stevenson and Richard Murtaugh also taking trips to victory lane. Consistency has kept Eric Nier and Jessica Power very close in the title chase and both drivers could reach victory lane soon. Stevenson leads a very close title chase by four points over a tie for second with Gavin Eisele and Eric Nier. Richard Murtaugh’s win on May 15th moved him to 4th just 10 back with Jessica Power 5th, only 24 points out of the lead. The record for most different winners in the Sportsman class to start the season was 9 set back in 2002 and could be broken this season.

Panther Frameworx Crate Sprints:

One driver has dominated the division and it continues this year as Josh Verne Jr. leads the points after three straight wins to start the year as he pursues a 5th straight track championship. Verne owns 21 wins in a class that saw the 50th event run on May 15th. Speaking of that, the milestone race was won by a first time winner as Ken Klinkowsky scored an emotional win. The standings show Verne with a 22 point lead over Klinkowsky, while Andrew Hennessy runs third in points just 32 behind and has been fast all season. Adam Turner, running his first full season at Can Am has been close to victory lane and sits in a tie for fourth with Tucker Donath, who has also had a consistent season and is looking to end a winless streak dating back to August 16th of 2024. Both Turner and Donath are 38 points out of the lead while George Sanford has been strong all year and is 44 behind in the 6th spot in points with a best finish of 2nd on May 8th.

Donath Motorworx Limited Sportsman:

This division has seen veteran drivers looking for a new challenge have success, along with young stars looking to make a name for themselves in the sport. Now 12 year old Mason Rogers has been the driver to beat. The Lafargeville native tied the record for consecutive feature wins in the class with four other drivers, winning the first three races of the season. On May 15th Mike Durham finally score his first win in an open wheel car, claiming the win after a lengthy win record and many titles in the Thundercar ranks. Lyle Robinson, Hayden Howard and Cayden Graham have also been strong contenders and could soon break through for their first career wins.

Sundance Leisure Thundercars:

Jock Symonds has been he story this season and has done plenty of winning in 2026. The Lafargeville driver has scored three wins in the first four races, along with his worst finish of 2nd on May 1st and firmly sits atop the points standings by 32 points over Jared Gilson. Symonds is looking for his first ever track title in this division. Jared Gilson has used consistency to hang on to second in the title chase with a best finish of 2nd on April 24th. Defending track champion Tony Frezzo has had strong runs and sits 36 behind in third with a best finish of 2nd on May 15th. 2023 track champion Francis White, despite the bad luck, is not out of this battle yet, sitting fourth in points after a fourth place finish on May 15th, 42 points behind. The top five is rounded out by Kevin Greenfield who has been fast and has a win on May 8th and sits 44 points behind his teammate Jock Symonds.

Drivers in all five classes will be back on May 29th for the annual Summer Starter for the Whitesboro Plow Shop DIRTCar 358 Modifieds. Lance Willix will go for a record third straight win on Friday night. Also on the card will be the Bob Johnson Auto Group DIRTCar Sportsman, Donath Motorworx Limited Sportsman, Panther Frameworx Crate Sprints and Sundance Leisure Thundercars. Our young fans will also have a chance to win bicycles and scooters on Friday night, donated by the teams and drivers. The first 200 kids through the front gate will also receive a free bike helmet courtesy of Child Advocacy Center/Victims Assistance Center.

To keep up with what is happening at Can Am Speedway in 2026 stay tuned to our website at racecanam.com. Also give us a follow on our Facebook page and be sure to follow us on My Race Pass for the live timing and scoring at all events. Can Am events will be broadcast weekly on Dirt Track Digest TV.