Ingles Performance bags second Pro sweep on Sunday
Vermont snocross veteran Lincoln Lemieux and three-time champion Danny Poirier each claimed a Pro Open final over the weekend, as East Coast Snocross (ECS) completed Round 3 of its 10-race 2014 schedule at the famed Airborne Park Speedway.
Lemieux, of St. Johnsbury, VT, powered his Ski-doo to victory in Saturday's 12-lap battle with Poirier (second) and Quebec veteran Dave Allard (third) filling out the podium.
Lincoln Lemieux
"I was just trying to maintain a steady pace throughout the race," Lemieux said. "A lot of people were crashing in the final, so I had to be careful choosing my lines. I was fortunate to inherit the lead when Mathieu (Morin) crashed, and my sled ran great once I was out front. I'm happy with my effort and thrilled to get a win for this team."
Sunday brought a second consecutive Pro Open sweep for the Ingles Performance squad, as Poirier led all 14 laps en route to his third win of the season. Michigan native Kevin Wallenstein (second) and former champion Mathieu Morin (third) capped a dream-like weekend for the powerhouse Ski-doo squadron from Phoenix, New York.
"My team gives 100% all the time and works harder as each weekend unfolds," Poirier said. "They adjust my sled for the changing track conditions so I can push hard all day. On Sunday, they got it just right so I was able to earn another win. I'm super happy with my Ingles Performance team and Ski-doo; we're having a great season so far."
In Pro Lite action at Airborne, Leo Patenaude (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo) claimed top honors both Saturday and Sunday in two hotly-contested races. Montana Jess (Jess Racing/Arctic Cat) blasted his way to a solid second place finish in Saturday's final, while Vermont rookie Hunter Patenaude was third. Leo led every lap to prevail again on Sunday, while Hunter slotted into second at the start and stayed there. Jesse James Bonaduce was smooth and consistent once again and came home third.
Riders in the Pro Open and Pro Lite classes also competed in Round 1 qualifying for the 2014 Triple Crown Series between ECS and their Canadian counterparts from SCM. Lincoln Lemieux won the first Pro heat over Poirier and defending Triple Crown winner Donovan Asselin, while Morin won Heat 2 over Mike Pilotte and Mike Bauer. In Pro Lite, Leo Patenaude and Jason Boron each claimed a qualifying heat.
Joe Bishop powered his way to victory in Saturday's Sport Super Stock final, with Cody Paolella and Zac Roberts filling out the podium. On Sunday, it was Paolella's turn to prevail with Bruce Gaspardi Jr. (second) and Chris Ingles (third) also landing on the box. The Sport class riders also ran one heat of qualifying in the 2014 Triple Crown, with Paolella coming out on top over Roberts and Gaspardi.
Pro Open Winner Danny Poirier
Other final round winners over the weekend in Plattsburgh include Nykea Williams (Pro Women Saturday); Steffanie Lemieux-Bell (Pro Open Sunday); Todd Smith (Plus 30 Pro Am); Janathan Lebel (Plus 25/35 Saturday); Bruce Gaspardi Jr. (Plus 25/35 Sunday); Marco Travaglini (Jr. 16-17 Stock 600 Saturday); and Ryan Dupont (Jr. 16-17 Stock 600 Sunday).
ECS would like to thank Mike Perrotte and the entire staff at Airborne Speedway for hosting Round 3 on our schedule. While snow conditions were a challenge leading up to the event, enough was stockpiled in advance to ensure the race took place. We continue to believe Airborne is the perfect spot for snocross in the Champlain Valley. It is a wonderful facility where fans can truly enjoy our sport.
After two straight weekends of racing in New York, the series heads north to Louiseville, Quebec, this coming weekend, Jan. 25-26, for Round 2 of the Triple Crown Series hosted by SCM.
The Canadian riders will be prepped and ready to defend their turf when the American riders come to town.
