Highs and Lows In Upstate New York

Albany, N.Y. ~ There was a Canadian culture clash in upstate New York last weekend. With the Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal performing in Albany, one would think another Quebec native would be able to blend in. However, Team AMSOIL/Honda rider Marco Dubé had other intentions.

Dubé made the trip from Montreal to take part in the second stop of the U.S. Arenacross series. The 27-year-old placed a respectable fourth in Des Moines a week earlier, but vowed to finish on the podium in Albany.

Dubé qualified for both events in the 250cc Main and proved he has the speed and skill to reach the center stage. On Friday night, he was trailing defending champion Darcy Lange in the final, when he fell in the whoops and was passed by Evan Laughridge. Dubé would quickly remount, catch Laughridge and take second overall.

Saturday's race was a little more disappointing for the 5x Canadian Arenacross Champion. Dubé banged bikes with Branden Jesseman on the starting line. Dubé injured his neck in the crash and was forced to take the rest of the night off.

Dubé currently sits in 13th place in the overall point standings. His next race will be November 12 and 13 in Worcester, Mass.

Three Straight And Counting

Bristol, Tenn. ~ Mike Gill of Elizabethton, Tenn. knows how to race the straight away at the Bristol Dragway. Gill rode his 1992 Suzuki GSXR 1216cc to a third straight Bristol title recently. The 2004 title makes him the first three-time champion since the track was rebuilt in 1997.

Gill picked up 6 wins in the 2004 season. He even won a special race at Bristol, the National Dragster Challenge. He is sponsored by AMSOIL Dealer Kent Peay.

Picture Of The Week

Rockingham, N.C. ~ This 1976 Dodge Dart is proving its power off the line. The car is owned and operated by Myron Piatek and Locomotion Racing out of Holly Hill, Fla. The team is sponsored by AMSOIL Dealer Dan Watson and runs in the International Hot Rod Association and finished tenth in the National Stock Standings in 2004. The 360/300 Commando engine also set a stock world record this past year and ran 114.09 mph in the ¼ mile.