PLATTSBURGH -- The American-Canadian Tour Late Model stock cars return to Airborne Speedway today for the 34th Annual Furniture World of Vermont Spring Green 100.

Defending race winner Ryan Nolin of Georgia, VT scored his first career ACT victory in the event last year.

"Airborne is a special place for my family and me," said Nolin, 21. "I grew up watching races and working on my father's cars there as a kid, and to get my first win there, especially in the Spring Green, meant a lot."

Nolin joined a stout list of former Spring Green winners, including legendary drivers Bobby and Beaver Dragon, Dave Dion, Jean-Paul Cabana, Robbie Crouch, Claude Leclerc, and Junior Hanley, and modern-day stars Brian Hoar, Phil Scott, Jean-Paul Cyr, and Brent Dragon.

"Brian Hoar was one of my heroes growing up, and to be in a group of winners with someone like him is a big deal to me," said Nolin. "That kind of history makes Airborne a very special place. Plus, it's a hard track to figure out, and it's very rewarding to have all the pieces together to win there. I just hope my team and I can get it right like we did last year."

Nolin's Mountain Air Systems/Champ 101.3 #78 Chevrolet will be challenged by former winners Bobby Dragon and nephew Brent Dragon, Crouch, Leclerc, and seven-time and defending ACT Late Model Tour Champion Cyr, as well as current point leader Scott Payea, third-place driver John Donahue, Canadian stars Patrick Laperle and Donald Theetge, New Hampshire's Randy Potter and Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., and Maine's Ron Henry and Glen Luce.

Foley eager for re-start'

Since there are no do-overs available in stock car racing, Airborne DIRTcar Modified champion George Foley of Saranac Lake will do his best to shrug off last week's disastrous start to the 2008 season.

Foley developed serious power plant problems during practice for the Ernie's Discount Tools Modifieds last Saturday, then scrambled through a engine switch that was completed just after the green flag flew for the 50-lap feature. A quick yellow paused the event and Foley made it out onto the track under power, but was promptly sent back in by track officials for having failed to take the green with he field. The net result -- zero points for the day.

Foley could only sit back and watch Saranac Lake rival Patrick Dupree dominate the race from the outset. To make matters worse, his two other top competitors for the '08 crown -- Martin Roy of Napierville, Que. and Mike Bruno of Castleton, Vt. finished second and third.

"It's early," Foley said. "All we can do is get ready and come back racing next week. Everybody usually gets a race like that sometime along. You just have to deal with it."

In the J&S Steel Sportsman division, defending champion Jason Bonnett of ST Albans, Vt., avoiding any Foley-like troubles, had a strong second-place showing after yielding the lead to Plattsburgh's Bucko Branham on the 7th of 25 laps.

The Sportsmen, Modifieds and Versatile Trailer Sales Renegades will compete in qualifying events for their features that accompany the ACT Late Models on the Furniture World of VT race card. The NAPA Warriors and the Monster Energy Drink Bombers will also be in action for 15-lap features.

General admission for the 34th Annual Furniture World of VT Spring Green 100 is $18 for adults, $5 for children (6-12), and $40 for a family of four. Gates open at noon today with post time scheduled for 5 p.m.

For more information, call Airborne Speedway at (518) 561-3208 or visit www.airborneparkspeedway.com.