Chris Raabe Wins Thriller, Mike Phinney Holds off Donovan Lussier

7/26/2025

Airborne Park Speedway

Chris Raabe Wins Thriller, Mike Phinney Holds off Donovan Lussier

Plattsburgh, NY- Mother Nature finally cooperated and “Thursday Night Thunder made its long-awaited return to Airborne Park Speedway, and the fans in attendance were treated to free t-shirts and some great racing. It was “Hurlbert Supply Night,” and the sponsor handed out swag with their logo on it to everyone as they came through the gate, and four out of the five feature events were thrillers that came down to the final laps.

In the DirtCar 358 main event, Chris Raabe took advantage of Jordan Fornwalt’s misfortune on lap 29 of the 30-lap race to claim his first victory of the season at “The Big A.” Fornwalt jumped to the point from the moment the green flag dropped and was in control for the first 28 circuits. However, Fornwalt slid high and jumped the berm, allowing Raabe to slip underneath him and roll away to grab the checkers. Tim Fuller also passed Fornwalt to finish second. Fornwalt, David Hebert, and Mike Mahaney rounded out the top five.

Similar drama nearly unfolded in the J & S Steel Sportsman Modified feature, but Mike Phinney wasn’t having any of it. Phinney pulled off a feat not often seen in the last couple of years as he fought off defending track champion Donovan Lussier to collect his first trophy of 2025. Phinney entered the night 18th in points, but you wouldn’t know it the way he ran. The No. 38 machine won a drag race over Tanner Forbes on the opening lap and drove away for what appeared to be an easy victory. The complexion of the contest shifted when the caution lights illuminated on lap 19, erasing Phinney’s huge advantage. On the restart, Lussier overtook Travis Bruno for second and began his assault on the top spot. Lussier showed his front tires to the leader briefly, but Phinney pulled away to garner the win. Lussier held on for second, followed by Bruno, Nick Heywood, and Lonnie Rivers.

Not to be outdone, the 9th State Cannabis Renegades feature came down to a two-car battle between Tylor Terry and Brad Bushey, with Terry earning his fifth win of the season. Shawn Fountain led the opening lap before giving way after a lap two caution. Bushey stayed on the point until lap 10 when Terry slipped past him. Bushey wasn’t done yet, and he regained the lead after Terry slid high in turns three and four on lap 13. Terry didn’t waste any time, wrestling the lead back from Bushey on the ensuing lap and would not be challenged again. Bushey crossed the line second, Billy Thwaits third, Tyler Irwin fourth, and Roland Guay fifth.

Glenn Engstrom has been on the verge of a visit to victory lane in the Mini Stock Division all season long at both Airborne Park and Devil’s Bowl. His hard work finally paid dividends as he stole the lead from Chad Provost on a late restart and drove under the checkers first for an emotional inaugural win. Matthew Parker grabbed the lead after the start, but Provost seized control on lap two and looked destined to go home with his first win, but it wasn’t meant to be. Engstrom navigated his way from the eighth spot on the grid to move into a position to pounce should he be given the chance. That opportunity presented itself to Engstrom when the caution flew before Provost was able to secure the checkered flag. On the restart, Enstrom managed to power his way past Provost to snatch the seemingly improbable win. Provost crossed the line in second. Ryan Senecal, Cody Young, and Jp Corrow completed the top five.

The evening’s finale didn’t have nearly the excitement of the rest of the show as Lea-Jeanne Lauziere cruised to her second win of the season in the Hoosier Tire Limited Sportsman Modified feature. The St. Cyrille-de-Wendover, Quebec native launched from the fourth starting spot, roared past her sister Sarah-Ann, who was the pole sitter, and went to work on Parker Dermody. Lauziere got a great bite off of turn four to edge Dermody for the opening lap lead and drove away into the night for a flag-to-flag victory. Kobe Hernandez was able to pass Dermody for second in the late stages and set his sights on Lauziere, but the nearly a full straightaway lead was too much to overcome. Following Lauziere and Hernandez across the line were Dermody, Sarah-Ann Lauziere, and Mike Block.

Airborne Park will be on hiatus for Summer Break until Saturday, August 9th, when it will be “Make a Wish Saturday Night Special,” with a bicycle giveaway. The Sprint Cars of New England will be invading for the second time this season. The Pro Stocks will also return, as will the 500cc Mini Sprints and Crown Vics. There will be a 50-lap Enduro. Sportsman, Limited Sportsman, Renegades, and Mini Stocks will comprise the remainder of the card. Grandstand admission is $20. Kids 12 & Under are free. Pit entrance is $35 for members and $45 for non-members. Racing begins at 6 p.m.

OFFICIAL RESULTS – “Thursday Night Thunder” Hurlbert Supply Night

July 25th, 2025

DirtCart 358 Modified Feature (30 laps)

Pos. (start) Driver, Hometown

(1) Chris Raabe. Alexandria, ON
(4) Tim Fuller, Watertown, NY
(2) Jordan Fornwalt, Bradford, VT
(7) David Hebert, St-Damase, QC
(9) Mike Mahaney, Elizabethtown, NY
(6) Jeremy Roy, Napierville, QC
(5) Dave Camara, Poultney, VT -
(10) Felix Roy, Napierville, QC
(8) Justin Stone, Middlebury, VT
(3) Adam Pierson, East Corinth, VT
(14) Thomas Cook, Hogansburg, NY
(11) Matt Woodruff, Bloomingdale, NY
(13) George Foley, Vermontville, NY
(12) Robert Bublak, Ballston Spa, NY

J&S Steel Sportman Modified Feature (25 laps)

Pos. (start) Driver, Hometown

(2) Mike Phinney, Willsboro, NY
(10) Donovan Lussier, St-Denis-sur-Richelieu, QC
(4) Travis Bruno, Morrisonville, NY
(12) Nick Heywood, Plattsburgh, NY
(6) Lonnie Rivers, Plattsburgh, NY
(1) Tanner Forbes, Jay, NY
(13) Jamy Begor, Mooers Forks, NY
(14) Michael Wright, Alburgh, VT
(8) Codie Aubin, Plattsburgh, NY
(11) Evan Roberts, Fletcher, VT
(15) Caleb Durgan, Morrisonville, NY
(18) Dale Gonyo Jr., Chazy, NY
(9) Jason McClatchie, Plattsburgh, NY
(5) Matt Leonard, Plattsburgh, NY
(16) Vince Quenneville, Brandon, VT
(3) Chris Cayea, Mooers Forks, NY
(21) Charlotte Morin , Saint-Césaire, QC
(19) Cory Castell, Fort Covington, NY
(20) Jeffrey Lapalme, Granby, QC
(22) Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, VT
(17) Fire Swamp, Akwesasne, NY
(7) Bucko Branham, Plattsburgh, NY

9th State Cannabis Renegade Feature (20 laps)

Pos. (start) Driver, Hometown

(8) Tylor Terry, Morrisonville, NY
(5) Brad Bushey, Fairfax, VT
(9) Billy Thwaits, Clintonville, NY
(3) Tyler Irwin, Peru, NY
(2) Roland Guay, Champlain, NY
(1) Shawn Fountain, Altona, NY
(7) Shawn Duquette, Morrisonville, NY
(4) Nathaniel Guay, Mooers, NY
(10) Codey Benoit, Buckingham, FL
(13) Tim Wilcox, Saranac, NY
(11) Travis Stokes, West Chazy, NY
(14) Tony Salerno, Mineville, NY
(6) Josh Terry, Essex, NY
(12) Levi Bombard, Peru, NY

Mini Stock Feature (15 laps)

Pos. (start) Driver, Hometown

(8) Glenn Engstrom, Peru, NY
(6) Chad Provost, Plattsburgh, NY
(15) Ryan Senecal, Plattsburgh, NY
(16) Cody Young, Chazy, NY
5, (23) Jp Corrow, Peru, NY
6. (21) Nick Harnden, Cadyville, NY
7. (17) Speedy Bresette, Plattsburgh, NY
8. (12) Josh Laporte Jr., Peru, NY
9. (19) Josh LaPorte, Peru, NY
10. (20) Jamie Whitney Jr., Plattsburgh, NY
11. (11) Tyler Bell, Peru, NY
12. (14) Ken Tourville, Grand Isle, VT
13. (3) Kyle Hart, Cadyille, NY
14. (24) Justin Cayea, Schuyler Falls, NY
15. (22) Tyler Noel, Chazy Lake, NY
16. (2) Haiden Bordeau, Dannemora, NY
17. (9) Kyle Botala, Grand Isle, VT
18. (4) Matthew Parker
19. (10) Jeremiah King, Peru, NY
20. (7) Joshua Blake, Champlain, NY
21. (1) Jason Bradley, Keeseville, NY
22. (13) Joe Warren, Plattsburgh, NY
23. (5) Caleb Tourville, South Alburgh, VT
24. (18) Chris Charboneau, Rutland, VT