Riverside FANatic 7/01/06
by Alan Plummer
Mother Nature tried to stop Riverside Speedway, a PASS sanctioned track, but with the diligent work of the Riverside crew, racers, and a short rain delay, they were able to get in a great night of racing. The night started off with the Wildman Al stunt show followed by the races and capped off with a brilliant fireworks display.
The Late Models were first up for the night. The 12 of Mike Paquette was on the pole, with the 90 of Floyd Bennett outside his door. Paquette got the lead, but by lap three already had the 1 of Corey Mason knocking on the door. On lap 5 the 2 of Steve Hodgdon spun in turn one. On the restart Mason got the nose out, but Paquette didn’t want to relinquish his lead. On lap 10 the 89 of Owen Wimble and the 01 of Sam Gooden got together. Wimble was sent to the rear. Paquette again took the restart, but the 10 of Bryan Mason had something go wrong in the rear, and the yellow flag flew again. On this restart Corey Mason took the lead and wouldn’t give it up for the rest of the night. The battle started to brew for 4th between the 4 of Ken Dufour, the 3 of Mike Kenison and Gooden. Gooden got into the 18 of Brooks Clark, who had to be towed off the track, but was able to make it back before the green flew. Gooden was sent to the back, as a cause of the accident. By this time, the 04 of Jamie Swallow Jr. had made his way to third place. It didn’t take him long to overtake second. With only 3 to go, Kenison tried to make a move on Paquette for third, but couldn’t do it. Mason took the win, after mechanical problems plagues him the last two races. He was followed across the stripe by Swallow, Paquette, and Kenison.
The Super Stocks were next on the track. It seems that having last week off made them very restless, for they were more aggressive than normal. The 10 of Adam Hurd started on the pole with the 76 of Shawn Hood outside. Hood takes the lead. By lap 9 the 1 of Jeremy Lacoss was all over Hood’s back bumper. Caution on lap 12 the 31 of Brain Middleton spun. I think Middleton may have bitten off more than he can chew by jumping up to Super Stocks. The car he is driving is last year’s championship car, but he can’t seem to keep it going straight. Lacoss takes the restart, and the 48 of Willey Holebrook moves into 2nd. On lap 15, Middleton and the 6 of Robin Hood get together, but recover, just as the 73 of David Ofsuryk looses a tire and is done for the night. Holebrook takes the restart. Lap 21 the 04 of Nathan Swallow and Lacoss battle for the 2nd position, with Swallow taking it. At the flag it was Holebrook, followed by Swallow and Lacoss.
The 73 of Jason Emerson started on the pole with the 2 of Arnie Krupula Jr. outside. With hard contact and a spin before lap 1 was completed the 07 of Bill Stebbins Jr. and the 16 of Daniel Gooden were sent to the rear. Emerson took the start and the 19 of Jake McDowell took 2nd. By lap 5 I noticed the 76 of Ryan Delabruere was quickly moving up through the field. On lap 9 McDowell passed Emerson, as Delabruere took 3rd, and half lap later took second. A few laps later the 68 of Derrick O’Donnell moved into 3rd place. Lap 21, Emerson and the 37 of Dustin Jackson get together, sending Jackson rolling through the dirt in turn 4. Emerson was told his actions were unsportsmanlike and sent to load it on the trailer. McDowell took the restart, but only for a short time as Delabruere passes him on lap 25. Delabruere crosses the finish line first, followed by McDowell and O’Donnell.
Last on the card for the night were the Cyclone enduro cars. Last week’s winner Chris Meunier started in the middle of the pack. By lap 30 it was the 88 of Richard Fadden in 1st with the 12 of Tyler Therrien in 2nd and the 7 of Todd Kenison 3rd. Lap 50 update had Fadden in 1st with the 41 of Jeff Ainsworth 2nd, the 3 in 3rd, and last week’s winner, Meunier in forth. No sooner did I tell one of Meunier’s crew that he was in 4th, he blew a tire. Guess I shouldn’t have said anything. Lap 70 update had Fadden still in the lead with Therrien back to 2nd and Kenison 3rd. Lap 81 the leader, Fadden hit the front stretch wall. This handed Therrien the lead, but it came down to a near photo finish between Therrien and Ainsworth, with Ainsworth just squeezing by, followed by Kenison and the 32 of Pete Gilcris and the 9 of Ben Bedor.
Capping off the night was a spectacular fireworks display by Northstar Fireworks of East Montpelier VT.
On tap for next Saturday is the P & SL Auto and Towing night. On tap will be the Late Models, Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Angels, Daredevils, North Country Dwarf Cars, Cyclones and $100 to win Spectator Drags. Post time 6pm. 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