The gloves were off on Monday night at Can-Am Speedway, in Lafargeville, NY, as the Short Track Super Series North Region made its debut with events for the Modified and Sportsman divisions. A strong crowd and solid car counts in both classes turned out for the first-ever visit, which also included a 15-lap, $800-to-win event for the Thundercars. The Watertown Boxing Club added to the atmosphere with a mobile ring set up prior to the start of the “Gloves Are Off 51.”
After two false starts, the green flag finally flew on the 51-lap Modified feature, with Zach Payne leading Jack Lehner. The battle among the top-three was tight early on, but Lehner grabbed the lead on lap six and began to open a gap. Behind him, Mat Williamson was on the move from his eighth starting spot, taking second from Payne by Lap 15. Four-time track champion Tim Fuller also worked his way into the top-four. Williamson reeled in Lehner by Lap 22 and made a move for the lead, only for a caution to slow the field when Cedric Gauvreau stopped on the frontstretch. On the restart, Williamson took command and never looked back, putting in a dominant drive and building a six-second lead over the field. Fuller secured second, ahead of Chris Raabe, Zach Payne, and Matt Sheppard, who charged from the rear after a pit stop to finish fifth.
The Sportsman feature was next, where Donovan Lussier continued his strong campaign with another standout performance. He led early over Cedric Gauvreau, Jeremy Slosek, Dale Welty, and local driver Gavin Eisele. Lapped traffic tightened things up in the second half of the race, bringing Gauvreau and Slosek into close contention. On Lap 19, Taylor Doxtator slowed with mechanical trouble, prompting a late restart. Lussier handled the pressure flawlessly, holding off the challengers over the final six laps to earn his first North Region win, adding to a previous South Region victory earlier in the season. Gauvreau crossed the line in second, with Tyler Peet making a late charge for third. Eisele finished fourth and Blaine Klinger completed the top-five.
The final feature of the night was the 15-lap Thundercar event and it didn’t disappoint. Corey Valade, Tony Frezzo, Francis White, and Jared Gilson were locked in a four-car fight for the lead through the opening 10 laps. Valade held the top spot, with Frezzo in hot pursuit and White and Gilson battling for third. A caution on Lap 11, for Colby Hibbard, set up a key restart. Valade retained the lead, with Gilson moving into third. A late yellow set up a green-white-checkered finish, but Valade stayed strong on the restart and drove away to record his fifth win of the season. Frezzo finished second, followed by White, Gilson, and David Rasmussen.
Can-Am Speedway – August 4, 2025 – Race Results
Thundercars – 15 laps
1. Corey Valade, 2. Tony Frezzo, 3. Francis White, 4. Jared Gilson, 5. David Rasmussen, 6. Collin Bauter, 7. OJ White, 8. Colby Hibbard, 9. Tim Dunn
Heat Winner: Corey Valade
Modifieds – “Gloves Are Off 51” – 51 laps
1. Mat Williamson, 2. Tim Fuller, 3. Chris Raabe, 4. Zach Payne, 5. Matt Sheppard, 6. Felix Roy, 7. Jackson Gill, 8. Jack Lehner, 9. David Hebert, 10. Daniel Morgiewicz Jr., 11. Rocky Warner, 12. Ryan Bartlett, 13. Michael Trautschold, 14. Carey Terrance, 15. Cedric Gauvreau, 16. Shaun Shaw, 17. Alex Yankowski, 18. Adam Roberts, 19. Jordan McCreadie, 20. Robert Bublak, 21. Gorden Clair, 22. Michael Amell
Did Not Start: Frank Sibley
Heat Winners: Matt Sheppard, Alex Yankowski, Mat Williamson
Sportsman Modifieds – 25 laps
1. Donovan Lussier, 2. Cedric Gauvreau, 3. Tyler Peet, 4. Gavin Eisele, 5. Blaine Klinger, 6. Dale Welty, 7. Joshua Jock, 8. Sean Imbeault, 9. Jeremy Slosek, 10. Joe Toth, 11. Garrett Chillot, 12. Mason Rogers, 13. Fire Swamp, 14. David Hackett, 15. Tyler Stevenson, 16. Justin Gadbaw, 17. Michael Ballestero, 18. Paul DeRuyter, 19. Greg Henry, 20. Genavieve Bartlett, 21. Steven Roberts, 22. Brayden Bullock, 23. George Schweigart, 24. Dylan Madsen, 25. Brady Howard, 26. Taylor Doxtator
Heat Winners: Tyler Peet, Donovan Lussier, Gavin Eisele
