Mahaney wins 3rd in a row at Airborne

PLATTSBURGH — To say that Mike Mahaney is dialed in at the Airborne Park Speedway this season would be an understatement.

Mahaney put on a masterclass on how to navigate the field, capturing his third consecutive win in the Hartson Total Opening DirtCar 358 Modified feature during another Thursday Night Thunder card at “The Big A.”

Mahaney was emotional as his wife, Mandee, and son Emjay joined him in the victory lane after his decisive performance.

“Smooth Shoe” launched from the 11th spot on the grid for the 30-lap main event, working his way through the pack. RJ Tressider sprang from the pole to lead the early laps, but Preston Forbes slipped underneath him off turn two on lap four to grab the point.

Forbes began to run away up front, but Mahaney was on the move. Caution flew on lap 14 with Mahaney in the sixth spot.

Mahaney quickly claimed the third spot on the restart before the caution came out again.

On the ensuing restart, Mahaney disposed of Tressider for second, then swept around Forbes on the high side of turn four a lap later.

Forbes held on for second. Tim Fuller, Justin Stone and Dany Gonyea rounded out the top five, respectively.

Dylan Rabtoy started on the pole in the J&S Steel Sportsman Modified feature, and that’s all it took for the Swanton, Vermont, campaigner to collect the 25-lap feature win, ending a lengthy drought.

Tanner Forbes took the lead at the drop of the green flag, but Rabtoy was able to work around him after a restart on lap two. Forbes had another shot at Rabtoy on a restart a few laps later, but the 22 car was too stout.

The fastest car on the track from the halfway point on was the Travis Bruno machine. Bruno was flawless after an early issue appeared to cost him several positions, but an opportune yellow flag saved him.

Despite Bruno’s best efforts, Rabtoy was not to be denied as he hugged the bottom, hit his marks perfectly and pulled away for the victory by nearly a full straightaway.

Bruno placed second, followed by Bucko Branham, Forbes and Michael Wright.

Parker Dermody and Adam LaFountain led the field to the green flag to begin the RainPro of Vermont Limited Sportsman Modified 20-lap feature, with Dermody leading the early laps.

It was clear David Johnson, who started fifth on the grid, had a rocket ship. Johnson took a page out of Dylan Raboy’s playbook and used the bottom groove to gain the second spot effortlessly.

On lap six, Johnson dove underneath Dermody in turn three. The two made slight contact as Johnson powered to the lead down the front stretch.

Just past the midway point, Brogan Roberts moved to the second spot and seemed to have a car that could run down Johnson, but it wasn’t meant to be as Johnson extended his advantage and rolled to his third win of the season.

Roberts finished second, followed by Boomer Patterson, Gary English and Dermody.

The Mini Stock 15-lap main event got off to an auspicious start as a pile-up brought out the caution before the pack even made it through turn one on the opening lap.

After a series of early cautions, Randy Martin assumed control, and it seemed as though he might earn an easy win. But Speedy Bresette had other plans.

“Señor Speed” ran lap times consistently faster than Martin’s and, by five laps remaining, had closed in on the leader’s bumper.

With three circuits left, Bresette won a drag race down the front stretch to wrestle the lead from Martin and pick up his first victory of 2026. Bresette became the fifth winner in five weeks for the division.

Martin finished second, followed by Jake Fountain, JP Corrow, Glenn Engstrom and Tyler Bell.

The finale of the evening was the 20-lap Renegade feature race. The sparks flew early as the yellow came out for an incident in turns three and four on the opening lap. Billy Thwaits was in the logjam and was forced to restart in the back of the pack.

The early issue did not deter Thwaits as he rallied to capture the lead in the late stages. Nate Guay led the opening laps with Shawn Duquette on the prowl.

Thwaits rapidly weaved through the pack to move to third and engaged in a battle with Duquette for second. Thwaits won the fight for the runner-up spot at the halfway point and set his radar lock on Guay.

Guay held off Thwaits as long as he could, but the duo was side by side down the front stretch when the caution flew four laps from the finish.

On the restart, Thwaits took the lead and drove away to take the checkers. However, Twaits was penalized to last place position for a minor rules infraction after going through post-race tech, and Duquette was elevated to the win, his third in a row.

Guay was second, Tyler Irwin third, Shawn Fountain fourth and Tim Wilcox fifth.

It will be a huge night this Thursday when the DirCar 358 Series invades Airborne Park Speedway for the 70-lap $5,000 to win “Battle of Plattsburgh.”

The Dirtcar Sportsman Series will also compete in a 30-lap, $1,500-to-win showdown. The Renegades, Mini Stocks and Limited Sportsman will be on the card, as well.

Grandstand gates open at 5:30 p.m. Racing is at 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $25. Kids 12 and under are free. Pit admission is $45.