It would be the 2025 season opener from the Airborne Park Speedway, and it would be the earliest in the 71-year history of the track, as we took the green on April 13th, and it would mark the return of the Airborne Park Speedway under the Dirtcar banner after a year away. Jake Fountain (22) and Glen Engstrom (17) battle for the win down the stretch as they go after the win in the 15-lap main for the Mini Stocks. The season would start with the 2nd annual Leon Gonyo Memorial, 4 thousand to win for the 358 Modifieds and two thousand to win for Sportsman Modified, along with the Renegades, Crown Vics, Limited Sportsman Modifieds, and Mini Stocks, as there would be over 130 cars in the pits. After all the time trials, heats, and last chance qualifiers were done, it would be onto the mains, and the first one up would be the Crown Vics. It would be a six-car field and see Richie Turner get the lead-off start, but Eric Friend would come up challenging from his last row start, take the lead, and cruise to the win, as we would get our second straight Crown Vic win at the Airborne Speedway. After the intermission, it would be onto the Sportsman Modified 2 thousand to win 30 lap main event. It would see Fire Swamp get the early lead from the early start of the race. Still, there would be a challenge up front from an old rival as the six-time track champion would come up and battle for the lead with Nick Heywood, and just over halfway through the race, he would take the lead. Still, it would not be without challenge as Swamp and Donovan Lussier would stay in sight and challenge for the lead, but Heywood would win today. Then it would be onto the main event of the evening, the Leon Gonyo Memorial, a 4 to win 358 Modified 40 lapper. It would see Felix Roy go wire to wire for the win, and it would be a Roy 1-2 finish. Jeremy would finish second, and then Jackson Gill would get third to round out the top three. Then we would be onto the Renegades for their 20-lap feature and see last year's champion, Shawn Duquette, get the lead off the start of the race. Still, there would be a challenge from last year's 2nd place man, Tyor Terry, and they would duke it out for the win, and on this day, it would be Tyor Terry getting the win and the early edge on the season. Then it would be onto the Limited Sportsman Modified and their 15-lap event, and see Gary English go wire to wire for the win. Then the final race of the evening would be the Mini Stocks, a 15-lap event, and 25 cars would take the green. It would see Jake Fountain get the lead at the start of the race and would be sailing around in the lead, but there would be a late race surge from Glen Engstrom, but it would come up about a car length short at the checkered flag, and Jake Fountain would get the opening win of the season. The racetrack will return to life next weekend, April 19th, as the Sprint Cars of New England invade the track with their 360s. Gallery

Nick Heywood (29) and Fire Swamp (88) dive into turn one and go side by side as they go after the win in the two thousand to win Sportsman Modified main event. Gallery