By TIM BALTZ

MASSENA – Tim Fuller posted a win, charging up from 13th place to cross the finish line first at Friday night’s 358 Modifieds race at Mohawk International Raceway.

Even an early evening rain shower couldn't stop the racing action Friday. During the second Mod Lite heat rain soaked the speedway, but one hour later, the drivers were back at it on a lightning fast surface which made the great MIR race fans very happy.

In the 358 Modifieds Gage Morin was looking to end some bad luck that has halted him for the better part of 2016 as he took the lead from the pole over outside pole sitter George Foley. With a fast track everybody had the throttle wide open and with clear race track Morin was able to get away from the field by nearly a straightaway. Chris Raabe was also fast on this night as he ran down the leader on lap 10. After a short caution on lap 12 Raabe got a great restart and was able to slide by Morin to take over the lead while, Jordan McCreadie, Carey Terrance and Tim Fuller completed the top 5. Driving the experimental Slack prepared number 3 on this night Tim Fuller had without a doubt, the fastest car on the speedway charging from his 13th starting spot. While Raabe pulled away and look pretty much invisible Fuller was on the charge around Carey Terrance for the 3rd spot on lap 18. Then on lap 20 was able to get by Morin for 2nd and tried to run down the race leader. With 5 to go Raabe was in command but Fuller had chipped away at the lead and was right on the back bumper of the race leader as the top 2 approached traffic. Behind the top 2 Gage Morin's great run came to an end as he slowed in turn 3 and headed pit side bringing Jordan McCreadie, Carey Terrance and now Brian McDonald to 5th. With 2 laps remaining Fuller made the move for the top spot in turn 2 as he drove by on the bottom while Raabe did all he could to hold the position on the outside. On this night Tim Fuller played it perfect as he pulled away from the field to score his first win since July. 31 of last year at MIR in the 358 Modifieds. Raabe came home 2nd while points leader Jordan McCreadie, Carey Terrance, and Brian McDonald finished out the top 5.

The Sportsman division was set to go for 25 very fast laps with Bruce Makinson taking over the race lead at the drop of the green from the pole position bringing Troy Fleming with him to the 2nd spot with Billy Cook., Gabriel Cyr and Delbert Legrow Jr. making up the top 5 spots. Makinson had a fast car and was looking for something good to happen to him since his first MIR win back on August 21st of 2015. With the top 2 drivers checking out on the field the real battle was on behind them as Billy Cook , reigning Mod Lite champion Jesse Hudson and Thomas Cook were all in a great battle for a top 5 position as they approached lapped traffic making things very interesting as the laps wound down. With 5 to go Makinson was on cruise control but Thomas Cook was making a major push to get to the front of the field as heavy traffic was making it difficult on the top 2 drivers. On lap 22 Makinson and Fleming both lost a little momentum and like a rocket ship Thomas Cook charged on the outside from 3rd to first in turn 1 and began to pull away. From his 8th starting spot and no cautions, Thomas Cook had to work hard but it all paid off as he scored his 2nd win of the year over Makinson, Fleming, Jesse Hudson and Joel Hargrave.

The Mod Lite division also had a great battle in their 15 lap affair as Scott Waldrif took over the lead in the early going over Brad Reif, Kevin Foster, Harley Brown and Dan Reif. With Waldrif in command of the field Kevin Foster and Harley Brown were both on the move as the closed in on Waldrif's back bumper at the halfway point making up a great 3 car battle for the race lead. On lap 11 Kevin Foster charged to the inside to take control of the race while Harley Brown did all he could to keep pace and have a shot at the win. On lap 14 the fist yellow flew for Jason Paige as slowed with problems in turn 1 setting up a 1 lap shoot out. On the restart Kevin Foster was able to scoot away with no problems as he went on for his 3rd career Mohawk Mod Lite victory after weeks of struggling. Brown settled for another 2nd place finish while Scott Waldrif, Brad Reif and points leader Deric Ellsworth rounded out the top 5.

The Novice Sportsman feature saw JP Herne lead the way in a new race car with Dudes Thompson close by in the 2nd spot. After starting 4th, and having a quick car, Thompson was able to take over the race lead on the bottom of the speedway over Herne while 7th place starter Jamie LaFountain was able to work his way to the 3rd spot. with Thompson in control Jamie LaFountain was able to get by Herne and start to run down race leader Dudes Thompson. On lap 12 LaFountain was finally able to close in on the leader and made a great move in turn 4 to drive by on the bottom for the top spot. After several wins on asphalt at Airborne and Devil's Bowl Jamie LaFountain finally got the monkey off his back, scoring his first ever dirt feature win at Mohawk. Thompson came home with his best finish of the year at MIR with a 2nd place effort while Greg Snyder, JP Herne and Dana Francis completed the top 5.

The Bandit division saw a fantastic battle in their 10 lap feature event between 3 great race cars. Points leader Richard Thorton, invader CJ Lavair and Gary Sharlow were all locked in a great battle for the top spot. Lavair looked to have things in control but Thorton was able to get the position away on lap 6 but the race was far from over. Lavair would reclaim the top spot with 2 laps remaining while Gary Sharlow was looking to spoil the party from position number 3. On the final lap Thorton made the pass for the lead and would hold off all challenges from Lavair on the final lap to record his 4th win of the year in the Bandit division. Lavair's season debut resulted in a 2nd place effort with Gary Sharlow crossing in 3rd at the line.

Next Friday night is Ladies Night as well with all ladies paying only $6 admission at the main gate. All five divisions will be in action and the first green flag will drop at 7:30 pm.

358 Modified

TIM FULLER, Chris Raabe, Jordan McCreadie, Carey Terrance, Brian McDonald, Corey Wheeler, John Mulder, Billy Dunn, Pat O'Brien, Zach Aubertine, Matt Woodruff, Nick Webb, George Foley, David Papineau, Madison Mulder, Luke Stewart, Keith Weston, Gage Morin, Luke Whitteker

Sportsman

THOMAS COOK, Bruce Makinson, Troy Fleming, Jesse Hudson, Joel Hargrave, Billy Cook, Louie Jackson Jr., Brent Kelsey, Zach Arquiett, Mike Stacey, Moise Page, Robert Delormier, Brianna Ladouceur, Delbert Legrow Jr., Jordan Miller, Delbert Legrow, Gabriel Cyr, Justin White, Kyle Sharp, Tim Smythe, Chris Frennier, Anthony Rassmussen, Joel Herne, Ricky Thompson

Novice Sportsman

JAMIE LAFOUNTAIN, Dudes Thompson, Greg Snyder, JP Herne, Dana Francis, Junior Delormier, Melvin Rush, Brian McGinley, Justin Cook, Jason Bruno, Styles Arquiett

Mod Lite

KEVIN FOSTER, Harley Brown, Scott Waldrif, Brad Reif, Deric Ellsworth, Dan Reif, Nick Mallette, Jason Premo, Jason Paige

Bandit

RICHARD THORTON, CJ Lavair, Gary Sharlow, Shane Ray, Johnny Messenger, Lucas Brown, Devin Cook