Former DIRTcar Driver Mitchell Jock Passes Away

Photo: Courtesy of Facebook

Story: Todd Hambelton - Cornwall Standard-Freeholder

The area's car racing community was in shock on the weekend, over the passing of Modified Division driver Mitchell Jock. Jock, 27, a regular competitor at Cornwall Motor Speedway and at Mohawk International Raceway in Hogansburg, died on Wednesday in Ottawa from complications after suffering a brain aneurysm. Jock leaves a common-law wife, Fallon David, and four-year-old son, Ty David. "He was the best dad, we did everything with him,'' said Fallon David, breaking into tears on Sunday night at Cornwall Motor Speedway, where tributes to Jock pour in.

His No. 14 red car (above) sat in the winner's circle, as hundreds of race fans made their way to the bleachers. Jock, of Akwesasne, had over 40 feature wins during a 14-year racing career, and he made history. Jock was just 13, turning 14 during the season, when he went on to take the Cornwall rookie division top rookie award, and the track title, a DIRT age record that still stands.

Jock, a former Pro Stock Division champion, was in contention for the Modified track title in Cornwall into the last week of the 2009 season. Jock wasn't feeling well this spring, the family said, and his last race this season was May 14, a second-place finish at Mohawk International. "He was weak (in the spring),'' Fallon David said. "He wanted to race but we didn't want him to.'' In the Cornwall pits on Sunday night, drivers were having a difficult time focusing on racing.

"I think we're all (in shock),'' said fellow Modified Division driver Joel Doiron. "Mitch was only in the Modified Division for a few years, but what I remember is his smile, he was always smiling. He was fun to talk to, but he was serious about his racing.