Crédit photo : Don Simpson
Cornwall Speedway Hosts First Round of Canadian Nationals Modified Series -- May 20
The countdown for the opening round of the Draper Doors Canadian Nationals Modified series for 358 at the Cornwall Speedway is on. With former series winners like Dale Plank, Danny Johnson along with some local heroes such as Stephane Lafrance and Chris Raabe, the Canadian Nationals series has come to be one of the most prestigious series in the North East.
The Canadian Nationals came about when former track owner Ron Morin was looking to create a series specific to Cornwall Speedway. Prior to this, there was a multiple track series Ron had established, which involved several other local tracks and was highly successful. But as time went on and the series grew, so did the long hours of work, Ron explains. Therefore, in the early 2009 season, it was decided it would be the last year for the Lucas Oil Canadian Dirt Series.
Morin, always looking to bring fans a new event, came up with the idea over 2010 of a homegrown series dedicated to Cornwall Speedway. Modeling the series after the highly successful Lucas Oil Canadian Dirt Series The plan was to have three 100-lap events topped off by a 125-lap final, which would include pit stops halfway through the race. So in 2011, the Cornwall Canadian Nationals was born.
Stéphane Lafrance.
The inaugural year of the series was plagued with bad weather, which saw the rescheduling of two of the events throughout the year, this including the final 125-lap race. But in the end, after a two-week delay, the final race was run and local hero Stephane Lafrance outdid the 28-car field to take home the trophy along with the series championship. Morin remembers, “that first year was very successful even though we battled poor weather most of the year. We had good car counts for each of the events. The final race of the series was delayed due to weather, but in the end, was one of the most successful events the track had ever seen.”
Photo credit: Rick Young
With the concept of the series proven positive, Ron continued tweaking the series as it grew by introducing prize money for such things a number of laps lead or attendance incentive for teams who attended all the races. This would prove positive as more and more teams began to participate in the series along with the prestige of winning the series championship.
As time passed, the Canadian Nationals continued to attract more racers to this now premiere series. Some of the best 358 Modified drivers from Ontario, Quebec and New York state would answer the call. Drivers like Plank, Johnson, Clair, Rudolph, Hearn, Sheppard along with locals racers l Raabe, McDonald, Morin and two-time series winner Stephane Lafrance. All would take the green flag at a Canadian Nationals event over the years, putting on some memorable shows.
Photo credit: Rick Young
In early 2014, the long-time owner Ron Morin decided to retire as an owner and sold the track to the local Lavergne family. He would, however, continue on in an advisory role. With that, the new owner Raymond Lavergne impressed by the four-race series wanted not only to continue with the series, but also improve its foundation. Raymond promoted the series and attracted new sponsors to come on board, increasing ever-bigger payouts.
Raymond explains, “We are very happy with the series and it attracts drivers from far and wide including New York State Quebec and Ontario. The series is a big draw for our fans and is a big part of our program. We will continue to improve the series where necessary so the fans get to see some good racing with a great overall experience at the track. We are also excited to have on board the Draper Doors of Harrowsmith, Ontario, as the primary sponsor of this year’s Canadian Nationals series.”
Raymond Lavergne. Photo credit: Don Simpson
As teams prepare for the upcoming season, I stopped by to ask two-time Canadian Nationals series champion, Stephane Lafrance, what it takes to win the series championship. He said, “Consistency is a big part of winning that series. You only have four chances to accumulate enough points to win which in most cases is easier said than done.
The first time I won the series in 2011, I was on a roll having a banner year for me, because I also captured the track championship, but the second time in 2013, winning the Canadian Nationals series title was much more difficult and that’s when consistency won the day.”
I later stopped by the 01 race shop to ask last year’s winner of the series and 2017 track champion Chris Raabe on his thoughts of what it takes to win the title. As with Lafrance, Chris explained, “you have a lot of good drivers trying just as hard as you to win the title and you only have four races to win it all.”
Chris Raabe. Photo credit: Don Simpson
The series has over time crowned into a prestigious race and many of the top 358 drivers in the northeast try to capture the crown on this tough 1/4-mile track. Chris explains, “The caliber of drivers chasing for the title is so high, any one of them can win on any given night. That’s what makes it so difficult to win the series championship.”
The series kicks off Sunday, May 20, with the first 100-lap event. The second and third rounds of the series will be on June 24 and Augusts 5, with the final a 125-lap event to be held on September 2. So be sure to mark your calendar, as this season will provide fans with good racing with an exciting year ahead.
Photo credit: Don Simpson
Here are past winners of the Canadian Nationals Modified Series
Stéphane Lafrance. Photo credit: Don Simpson
Big thanks go out to Rick Young for supplying some of the images. You can see more of Ricks historic image by visiting: http://www.rickattheraces.net/
Stéphane Lafrance.
The inaugural year of the series was plagued with bad weather, which saw the rescheduling of two of the events throughout the year, this including the final 125-lap race. But in the end, after a two-week delay, the final race was run and local hero Stephane Lafrance outdid the 28-car field to take home the trophy along with the series championship. Morin remembers, “that first year was very successful even though we battled poor weather most of the year. We had good car counts for each of the events. The final race of the series was delayed due to weather, but in the end, was one of the most successful events the track had ever seen.”
Photo credit: Rick Young
With the concept of the series proven positive, Ron continued tweaking the series as it grew by introducing prize money for such things a number of laps lead or attendance incentive for teams who attended all the races. This would prove positive as more and more teams began to participate in the series along with the prestige of winning the series championship.
As time passed, the Canadian Nationals continued to attract more racers to this now premiere series. Some of the best 358 Modified drivers from Ontario, Quebec and New York state would answer the call. Drivers like Plank, Johnson, Clair, Rudolph, Hearn, Sheppard along with locals racers l Raabe, McDonald, Morin and two-time series winner Stephane Lafrance. All would take the green flag at a Canadian Nationals event over the years, putting on some memorable shows.
Photo credit: Rick Young
In early 2014, the long-time owner Ron Morin decided to retire as an owner and sold the track to the local Lavergne family. He would, however, continue on in an advisory role. With that, the new owner Raymond Lavergne impressed by the four-race series wanted not only to continue with the series, but also improve its foundation. Raymond promoted the series and attracted new sponsors to come on board, increasing ever-bigger payouts.
Raymond explains, “We are very happy with the series and it attracts drivers from far and wide including New York State Quebec and Ontario. The series is a big draw for our fans and is a big part of our program. We will continue to improve the series where necessary so the fans get to see some good racing with a great overall experience at the track. We are also excited to have on board the Draper Doors of Harrowsmith, Ontario, as the primary sponsor of this year’s Canadian Nationals series.”
Raymond Lavergne. Photo credit: Don Simpson
As teams prepare for the upcoming season, I stopped by to ask two-time Canadian Nationals series champion, Stephane Lafrance, what it takes to win the series championship. He said, “Consistency is a big part of winning that series. You only have four chances to accumulate enough points to win which in most cases is easier said than done.
The first time I won the series in 2011, I was on a roll having a banner year for me, because I also captured the track championship, but the second time in 2013, winning the Canadian Nationals series title was much more difficult and that’s when consistency won the day.”
I later stopped by the 01 race shop to ask last year’s winner of the series and 2017 track champion Chris Raabe on his thoughts of what it takes to win the title. As with Lafrance, Chris explained, “you have a lot of good drivers trying just as hard as you to win the title and you only have four races to win it all.”
Chris Raabe. Photo credit: Don Simpson
The series has over time crowned into a prestigious race and many of the top 358 drivers in the northeast try to capture the crown on this tough 1/4-mile track. Chris explains, “The caliber of drivers chasing for the title is so high, any one of them can win on any given night. That’s what makes it so difficult to win the series championship.”
The series kicks off Sunday, May 20, with the first 100-lap event. The second and third rounds of the series will be on June 24 and Augusts 5, with the final a 125-lap event to be held on September 2. So be sure to mark your calendar, as this season will provide fans with good racing with an exciting year ahead.
Photo credit: Don Simpson
Here are past winners of the Canadian Nationals Modified Series
- 2017 Chris Raabe
- 2016 Carey Terrance
- 2015 Danny Johnson
- 2014 Stéphane Lafrance
- 2013 Brian McDonald
- 2012 Dale Planck
- 2011 Stéphane Lafrance
Stéphane Lafrance. Photo credit: Don Simpson
Big thanks go out to Rick Young for supplying some of the images. You can see more of Ricks historic image by visiting: http://www.rickattheraces.net/