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Two in a Row for Mike Maresca (17th October 2024 BLOG)
The last BLOG left off on Tuesday the 9th of October after a disappointing rain cancellation of the Hurricane Harvey at the Brewerton Speedway NY . It’s usually one of the best shoes during the October events.
On Wednesday the following day , my local Mohawk International Raceway were holding their prelude to the Canadian Super Dirt Weekend at the nearby Cornwall Motor Speedway.
I was over the International bridge early for the M.I.R and already it was getting busy.
My usual parking spot near the pit gate was being used as an over-flow, but was able to tuck my car away at the back of the tech garage. I had plenty of time to socialize.
I met up with the Hammond family, long distance travelers from New Hampshire. They had three cars in action that night . Driving them were brothers Allen and Walter , and Walter Jr. I had a good chat with both Allen and Walter Jr.
It was also good to catch up with Mike Maresca .
He started his dirt racing career in my area a few years back but has since relocated further south.
My good friends Cedric and Eric Gauvreau and the team were also back in action , after a few weeks off.
I also chatted for a while with Johnathan Ferguson and his team.
The evening program consisted of 358 Modifieds,
Sportsman,
Limited Sportsman,
Pro Stocks
and Mini Stocks.
The pits were packed solid with plenty of cars from every division .
First of the features was for the Mini Stocks.
This was won by Autodrome Granby regular, Mathieu Voghell.
After the intermission it was the Sportsman feature.
This went to Tristan Ladouceur after a long battle with Shane Pecore.
The Modified feature was up next and it was Ryan Stabler who took the early lead.
Mario Clair got passed him and so did Gage Morin .
When the checkers fell, it was Clair at the front to take the Victory.
The Pro Stock feature then followed.
This was won by first time visitor, Kyle Hoard from the Lake George area of NY.
The large car count , meant that the time was dragging on, and it was mid night by the time the checkers fell for the last race of the night, the Limited Sportsman feature.
This was won by Nicholas Merkley.
As expected the late finish meant a long line at the border , and it was near to 1-00 am before I got home.
Friday the 11th of October, was the start of the Canadian Super Dirt Weekend at the Cornwall Motor Speedway. It is now an annual event that happens to coincide with Super Dirt Week in Oswego NY .
It’s unfortunate that they are both scheduled the same weekend, as it means drivers and fans have to choose where they want to go.
The Cornwall event began during the Covid pandemic, when border crossing became difficult. It became such a success, and it’s stayed around.
Normally I would be at the original Super Dirt Week in New York, but when you live just ten minutes away from the Cornwall track, it’s a ‘no brainer’ , so I stay local.
It’s a three day feast of racing with camping and partying , just like the New York event, and the 358 Modifieds take center stage.
Race teams started arriving in the middle of the week.
Sylvain Lauwers took this shot of me in my Impala arriving on Friday afternoon.
I was there early and the pits and infield were getting packed with cars.
Fridays show consisted of Modifieds, Sportsman and Mini Stocks.
Sadly opening night was cut short by rain , but before it started we saw Gage Morin take the Modified win, after passing early leader Louie Jackson Jr.
With rain expected things were hurried along , with no Victory Lane ceremonies, and the Mini Stock feature got under way as soon as possible.
As the checkers fell for Antoine Dumouchel, the rain began.
Camera equipement was hastily put into my car , and as soon as it was clear, I drove off the middle.
It was pretty obvious the night was over, and the Sportsman who were lined up for their feature returned to their haulers.
For the benefit, of the media, a ‘make do’ Victory Pic of Gage Morin was done in the pits , before heading back home.
I would be back at the track next day.
Day two at the Cornwall Canadian Super Dirt Weekend, had an additional division added to the program with the Pro Stocks joining the Modifieds, Sportsman and Mini Stocks.
The place was packed with just three divisions on Friday night, but some how space was found for the extra cars.
Once hot laps were over, we did official Victory Lane pics of the previous nights winners. Gage Morin (Modifieds)
and Antoine Dumouchel (Mini Stocks).
The first race of the day, was the Sportsman feature that got missed from the previous night.
This was won by Elliot Gamache.
Once this was over the original days program got under way.
There was a lot to get in .
The first feature race was for the Modifieds.
Mike Maresca won this , after fending off a strong challenge from Steve Bernier.
Next up, was the Pro Stock feature.
Jocelyn Roy , who’d been racing the previous day in Oswego, took this one.
The Sportsman feature followed and it was no surprise to see Bobby Herrington take the checkers after fending off challenges from Travis Bruno
Herrington sure is the man to beat these days in the Sportsman division.
The final race of the night was the Mini Stock Feature, which ended just before 11-00pm
Adrian Black won this one.
So it was another later than expected finish, and I’m so glad I live only a ten minutes from the track
Sunday the 13th of October was the final day of the Canadian SuperDirt Weekend, and with the big show in Oswego ending, a day earlier this year (Saturday was the last day) a few additions were expected in the Modified and Sportsman divisions .
As it turned out, the big race in Oswego finished quite late, with Stewart Friesen taking the big win, so the only additions I noticed were Felix Roy (Modified) and Josh Jock (Sportsman), Felix was already parked in the pits when I arrived at the track at 1-30 pm.
As for Josh Jock, his car was fitted out with the body panels, of the late Jeff Marshall tribute car.
It was another chilly day as I joined my Photographer friends on the middle.
We were back to three divisions for the final day. The Mini Stocks were absent from the program.
The big race was the 150 lapper for the Modifieds.
It was split into two separate races, with a winner honored for the first 55 laps and an overall winner when it reached 150 laps.
At the 55 lap mark the race came to stop with Ryan Arbuthnot the leader (first winner).
Then there was a break for 15 minutes for an ‘on track ‘ pit stop in front of the main grandstand.
This is always fun to watch.
The race then restarted for the remaining 95 laps.
As the race developed, a good battle emerged between David Hebert and Mike Maresca.
This went on for many laps but as the checkers fell, it was Maresca to make it two wins in two days.
Ryan Arbuthnot was also brought to Victory Lane to be honored for winning the first part of the race.
The Pro Stock feature followed this , with veteran driver Denis Gauvreau taking the honors.
The Canadian Super Dirt Weekend was brought to a conclusion with the Sportsman feature and just like Maresca in the Modifieds, Bobby Herrington did likewise and got his second consecutive win.
So that was it for this year, and it was all over in good time for Canadians to enjoy the Thanksgiving public holiday , coming up the next day.
As for me, I had nothing planned and was pleased for a few days relaxation before the big event taking place the following weekend when all roads lead to the Brockville Ontario Speedway for the Fall Nationals.