Late models heat up at Laird

The new late model division was created for excitement and that is exactly what the racers provided Monday night at Laird International Raceway.

LIR combined the super late models and the super stocks from last year into one new division in order to get the areas top drivers into one high-class division. Although the season is still in its early stages, action in the division is already wild and intense.

On Monday night in a special make-up date from last Thursday's cancellation, the late models ran a 12-lap heat race and two 30-lap feature races.

Rod Bolduc continued to emerge in the late model division as the local driver captured the chequered flag in the second feature race. Points leader Rob Hiiemaa won the first feature while Bar River's Glen Irwin won the heat race for his first ever late model victory, which was one the best in the track's 5-year history.

The factory stock division also saw some intense racing as Jason Praysner and David Slingsby continue to battle at the top the point standings. Praysner had a five-point lead heading into Thursday's action.

Praysner edged Slingsby for the chequered flag in the feature while Praysner won the opening heat and Slingsby the second heat. Praysner was black flagged from the second heat for sending John Fragali into the tires coming out of turn three in mid-race.

The Michigan Sault's Barry Glenn continues to tear up the pure stock division with a clean sweep of the feature and both heats. Rookie Jeremy Van Hoek continues his emergence with his first ever feature win in the stock four division along with a victory in the opening heat. Matt Huber won the second heat.

Racers drove under the direction of new flagman for the night's program. Jacob Porco, a 17-year-old, filled in for Mike Huffman and did a splendid job of keeping order. Despite his young age, Porco is a veteran in the racing scene and showed no signs of intimidation.

All results listed are unofficial. Official results will be posted at the LIR website at www.lairdraceway.com when available. Official results are not released until all car inspections and track rulings are complete.

Action continues on Thursday with racing beginning at 7 p.m. and qualifying at 6:15 p.m. in the late model and factory stock divisions. The factory stocks will run a 30 lap feature and the track will hold spectator drags during the intermission.