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Can-Am’s Elite Club: Win the Opener, Win It All

The 2025 season opener at the Can Am Speedway in Lafargeville New York will get underway Friday April 25th, which asks the question to many. We know winning the season opener is important, but does it automatically propel you to the track championship at seasons end?

Over the previous 50 years in the Whitesboro Plow Shop DIRTcar 358 Modifieds it has only happened 11 times with 10 time tack champion Pat O’Brien winning the season opener and the track title in 1995, 1997 and 2000. O’Brien also won the 358 Modified opener in 1987, as well as Big Block competition in 2005, when he won his last title. Other drivers in the 358 Modifieds who have won the opener and the championship include Gary Reddick in 1975, Roy Makinson (1976), Tony Corcoran (1982), Jimmy Johnson Jr. (1991), Pat Ward (2002), Billy Dunn (2016), Michael Maresca (2020) and Tim Fuller (2021).

When the Big Blocks were a regular division, Lee Gill won the season opener and the title in 2003 along with O’Brien in 2005, Vic Coffey swept the twin 20 opener in 2007 and went on to win the title, while Chris Raabe won the Big Block season opener in 2012, but was crowned the 358 Modified champion that year.

Six time 358 Modified track champion Billy Dunn and Pat O’Brien hold a record 4 opening day wins in the 358 Modified division, with Dunn winning two of the last three openers including the 2024 season kick off.

In the Bob Johnson Auto Group DIRTcar Sportsman winning the opener and the track title has happened on 12 occasions with legend Steve Hall claiming both honors in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1998. Others include George “Boomer” McIntyre (1997), Scott Webb (2004), Chris Higgins (2007), Chris Raabe (2009), Josh VanBrocklin (2010), Taylor Caprara (2019) and Tyler Corcoran (2022). Hall has a record 5 opening day wins in the division, winning his first season opener in 1992.

In the Sundance Leisure ThunderCars winning the opener and title in the same year has happened seven times, with Zak Petrie (2010 & 2019) and Phil Desormeau III (2015 & 2016) being the only drivers to do it multiple times. Others include Ray Bechler (2013), Joe Orvis (2022) and Francis White (2023). The feat has been accomplished only once in the Panther Frameworx Crate Sprints with Josh Verne Jr. winning the opener and the title in 2023. When a title was handed out in the Donath Motorworx Limited Sportsman, it was Hunter Schwander grabbing the honors in 2016.

So, to answer the question, it doesn’t happen often, but the driver who does it is part of an elite group. The one way to find out if it happens this year is to make your way to the Can Am Speedway April 25th for the 51st season opener which features the DIRTcar Sportsman North Regional Series plus a regular card of racing for the Whitesboro Plow Shop DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, Bob Johnson Auto Group DIRTcar Sportsman, Panther Frameworx Crate Sprints, Donath Motorworx Limited Sportsman and the Sundance Leisure ThunderCars. The first green flag of the season flies at 7pm.

Season Opener:

• Non Profit Spotlight: Alzheimers Association Central NY Chapter - Fans are encouraged to show your support by wearing purple!

For more updates on our upcoming weekend, head to our website at racecanam.com. Also give us a follow-on Facebook and be sure to follow us on My Race Pass all season long.

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