6-7-08
The
By Alan Plummer
The sweltering heat didn’t keep people away from the PASS sanctioned Riverside Speedway this past Saturday night. The first winner of the Triple Crown $1000 Late Model race was crowned. Luke Shannon did triple duty, competing in the Super Stocks, Late Models, and Cyclone races. {I learned after initial article went to print, that Luke only qualified the Late Model, Gene Leblanc showed up in time to race the feature} I can only imagine how tired he must have been with temperatures hovering around 90 at the start of the evening.
The Daredevil Rookies started the evening out. Stephen Donahue was on the pole, with Nick Miller outside. Miller took the lead, and Benjamin Belanger moved into 2nd. On lap 5, Aaron Poulin went off turn 3 hitting the dirt bank and blowing 2 tires. Miller retakes the lead. Donahue spins on lap 6. On this restart Belanger pulled ahead of Miller, and Erin Hudson moved into 3rd, then Keith Lord overtook 3rd. The yellow came out on lap 7 for debris. It was decided that they would go to a single file restart. On lap 10, Hudson goes off turn 2. On the restart, Hudson and Nick Gilcris get together, sending Gilcris off turn 2 rolling the car 1 ½ times coming to rest on the roof. He is OK, but was taken into the ambulance for full evaluation. Belanger took the win, followed by Miller and Hudson.
The Daredevil Veterans took to the field next. They had a very quick race with no yellows. Randy Whittum started on the pole, with Cameron Bowen outside. Bowen took the lead. Brett Gervais moved quickly to 2nd then overtook the lead. On lap 5, Jesse Switser moved to 3rd, then 2nd, and Brandon Lambert moved to 3rd. Gervais took the win, followed by Switser and Lambert.
The Dwarf Cars were up next. Young rookie Ciara McCoy won here qualifying heat, I think she will be one to watch once she really gets the car the way she likes it. Sam Barker started on the pole, with Bobby Riley outside. Riley took the lead then Eric Hall charged to the front, bringing Ernie Laplant with him for 2nd. Laplant took the lead on lap 2. By lap 13, Laplant had lapped the 4th place car. On lap 24, Alex Rancourt spins in turn 2. Laplant takes the restart and the win, followed by Hall and Riley.
Tyler Therrien started on the pole for the Street Stock feature, with Alex Theroux outside. Therrien took the lead. On lap 2, Shawn Swallow moved to 3rd. On lap 4, David Greenslit, and Brendan Hunt got together bringing out the yellow. Therrien again took the lead. Swallow moved to 2nd on lap 6. Hunt spins on lap 7 bringing out the yellow. The restart was nearly even, Swallow had a slight advantage, but Therrien would not give up. On lap 23, Theroux and Michael Smith got together, but recovered quickly. Swallow took the win, followed by Therrien and Smith.
Allyn Briggs was on point for the Super Stocks, with Dean Switser Jr outside. Switser took the lead. On lap 3, Denny Degreenia moved to 2nd. Jerrad Ledger moved to 3rd, on lap 7. On lap 19, Shawn Hood had something let go and hit the back stretch wall about midway and ran all the way down it coming to rest in the middle of pit road exit. Switser again took the lead, pushing Ledger up, but Ledger hung in there and took the lead. Nathan Swallow overtook 2nd. On lap 22, Luke Shannon moved into the 3rd spot. The yellow flew on lap 23. Denny Degreenia and Jamie Longley got together in turn 1. Ledger and Swallow were even on the restart, with Swallow edging him out for the win, and Shannon coming in 3rd.
The Mason brothers didn’t fair well in their qualifiers. Brian had to change the transmission, and Corey threw a rod through the oil pan. Corey raced Pete Gilcris’ car in the feature. Stephen Hodgdon started on the pole, with Howard Switser outside. Switser took the lead, and Jeff Wimble moved to 3rd. On lap 9 Wimble moved into the 2nd spot. The yellow flew for a pileup on the front stretch. Switser took the lead, and Floyd Bennett Jr. moved to 3rd. Kyle Caron spins on lap 13 bringing out the yellow. On the restart, Mark Baxter and Caron get together. Switser takes the restart, and Bennett moves to 2nd. On lap 40 Bennett takes a hard ride off turn 1. Switser again takes the restart. On lap 43, Brian Greer and Marc Curtis Jr. get together bringing out the caution. Switser takes the lead. On lap 46 Grand Folsom moves to 2nd. Switser takes the win, and a cool $1000.00, followed by Folsom and Jeff Marshall.
Chris Caron started on the pole for the Cyclones, with Anthony Mason outside. Caron took the lead. By lap 5, Anthony Hill had moved into 2nd. On lap 12, Luke Shannon moved to 2nd, and took the lead on lap 15. The race was actually pretty much decided by lap 25, as the top 3 did not change. Shannon takes the win, followed by Hill, Vear, Charlie Rockwell, and Rick Utley.
Come join the fun this Saturday evening. On the card will be the Outlaw Sportsman, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Angels, Daredevils, Dwarf Cars, a 4X4 Tug O’ War and spectator Drags. Post time is 6pm. Hope to see you there. Pictures and archived FANatic articles can be seen at http://racing.apcomptech.com If you have any questions or comments email me at riversidefanatic@apcomptech.com