With another year of experience under his belt, Joe Addison is ready to make a statement at Laird International Raceway.
In the season opener on Thursday night, the pure stock driver cruised to a three race sweep and looks poised to make a serious run this season.
Addison, pictured, will get another chance to shine on Sunday night as LIR will run a special make-up date.
In a six-car field featuring veterans Barry Glenn and Bob Laphew of the Michigan Sault and defending champion Ray Golladay, who is supporting a new ride in a full size truck, Addison dominated from start to finish to claim both 10 lap heats and the 20 lap feature event.
Jason Praysner also had a big opening night as a rookie driver in the late model class by claiming three of four races.
Praysner, the defending factory stock champion, took the checkered flag in the fast car dash over Rod Bolduc Jr., Michael Gold and George Wilson before claiming both 12 lap heat races. In the first heat, Praysner came from behind to edge Wilson by a nose at the finish line.
Defending late model champion Rob Hiiemaa took to the track with a new car this season and continued to look strong by claiming the first 25 lap feature event of the season. Bolduc and Gold rounded out the top three.
With Wilson, who was one of nine late model drivers at the track, still waiting to get his new ride onto the track and being a serious points contender, Dan Byrnes lent Wilson his #46 car for the evening to collect points.
Rick Ellis, a four-decade race veteran, also returned to the late model field this season with a new car. Ellis was knocked out of the first heat after a collision but did return in time for the feature.
Bar River's Steve Kent pulled off a three-race in the factory stock division, which saw six cars lineup on the night. Kent won both 10 lap heats and the 20 lap feature as only three cars crossed the finished line.
In the steadily growing stock four division, second-year competitor Scott Syrette completed the sweep as 18 cars entered the pits for racing. Syrette won both 8 lap heats and the 12 lap feature.
The open-wheeled modified class also made their debut on Thursday with six cars lining up for the opening heat.
Randy Hache won the first heat while Kevin Oicle made his return to the track with a victory in the second heat and the feature.
With the late start to the season after three rain outs, track owner Donnie Varcoe announced during the races that a make-up date will be held this Sunday evening.
Qualifying is set to begin at 5 p.m. with racing to follow at 6 p.m.
Action will also continue next Thursday night with qualifying beginning at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
Results in this story are unofficial. Official results, which are delayed because of various reasons such as tech inspections, are posted on the Laird Website when they become available, usually within a day or two.