Caleb Drugan (17) and Travis Bruno (33) battled for the race lead late. Drugan would hold on for his second win of the season and the spot in the Vermont 200. PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — With just one race remaining on the 2026 schedule, Airborne Park Speedway's Round 13 program delivered everything fans could ask for on the final Thursday Night Thunder event of the season. A packed night of racing featured crucial championship battles, a coveted Vermont 200 starting spot on the line, and several drivers making major statements heading into the season finale on September 13. The spotlight of the evening belonged to the JS Steel Sportsman Modifieds, which contested a 50-lap, $1,500-to-win feature carrying an automatic starting position in Sunday's Vermont 200. But before the headline event, several divisions took to the track with championships hanging in the balance. The Rain Pro of Vermont Limited Sportsman Modifieds kicked off feature action with seven cars taking the green flag for their 20-lap main event. Youngster Antony Boissonneault wasted no time grabbing the lead at the start and looked poised to score a breakthrough victory. By lap five, however, the pressure began mounting as recent winners Gary English and David Johnson closed rapidly on the leader. English eventually found the preferred groove around the outside and powered past Boissonneault to assume command. Once out front, the championship contender was untouchable, driving away to score his fourth victory of the season and second consecutive triumph. The win allowed English to extend his points lead to 15 markers over Bro Roberts with one race remaining. Next up were the Renegades, with 13 competitors answering the call for their 20-lap feature. Tyler Irwin led the field to green and quickly found himself under fire from Josh Terry during the early stages. While the front-runners battled, points leader Billy Thwaits methodically carved his way through the field from his tenth-place starting position. By the halfway mark, Thwaits had reached the front and soon worked past Irwin for the lead. Nathaniel Guay mounted a late-race challenge and kept the leader honest over the closing laps, but Thwaits proved too strong. The victory was his sixth straight win, stretching his championship advantage to ten points entering Championship Sunday. The feature everyone had come to see followed as the JS Steel Sportsman Modifieds rolled onto the speedway for their 50-lap showdown. A field of 16 cars took the green with veterans Bucko Branham and Nick Heywood battling fiercely for the early lead. Branham eventually gained the advantage and appeared ready to control the race before rising star Caleb "Kid Lightning" Drugan entered the picture. Around lap 15, Drugan found his way to the front and immediately faced pressure from a charging Travis Bruno, who began working the high side in pursuit of the leader. Bruno appeared to be gaining ground when a caution flag bunched the field and erased his momentum. On the ensuing restart, Drugan executed flawlessly and maintained control through the closing laps to earn his second straight victory. Along with the $1,500 winner's share, Drugan secured the coveted starting spot in Sunday's Vermont 200. Bruno settled for second, with Evan Roberts completing the podium in third. The championship picture became even clearer as Bruno's runner-up finish, combined with a fifth-place run by Heywood, expanded Bruno's points lead to 32 points. With only one race left on the schedule, Bruno now appears all but assured of capturing the 2026 Airborne Park Speedway Sportsman Modified championship. The Crown Vics were next on the track with eight cars taking the green for their 20-lap feature. Trevor Jacques and Josh Muir battled for the lead during the opening laps before the division's dominant force, Richie Turner, moved his way to the front. Once in command, Turner never looked back, collecting his sixth victory of the season. More importantly, championship rival Scott Richner crossed the line in sixth position, allowing Turner to take over the points lead by four markers heading into the season finale. The final feature of the night belonged to the Mini Stocks, which brought a strong 24-car field to the speedway. Cody Young and Jeremiah King traded the lead early as multiple caution flags slowed the opening portion of the race. As the event settled into rhythm, Jake Fountain emerged as a serious contender and steadily moved his way toward the front. Late in the race, Fountain made the decisive move around King and pulled into the lead. From there, he remained composed under pressure and drove on to capture his first victory of the season. Jamie Whitney finished second, while King rounded out the top three. Although Fountain celebrated in Victory Lane, the championship battle also saw a major development. JP Corrow's fourth-place finish coupled with a ninth-place effort from Speedy Bresette allowed Corrow to build a commanding 45-point advantage entering the final race of the year. After an action-packed evening, Airborne Park Speedway will now take a short break before returning for the 2026 Season Finale on September 13. The championship program will feature the Hartson Total Opening 358 Modifieds competing in a 40-lap, $2,500-to-win event and the JS Steel Sportsman Modifieds battling for 50 laps and a $2,000 top prize. Also on the card will be the Renegades, 500cc Mini Sprints, Crown Vics, Mini Stocks, Rain Pro of Vermont Limited Sportsman Modifieds, and a 50-lap Enduro to close the curtain on another exciting season at Airborne Park Speedway. With several championships still undecided and one final night of racing left on the calendar, all eyes now turn to September 13 for what promises to be a memorable season-ending showdown. Gallery