SWITSER BAGS COOL GRAND AT RIVERSIDE SPEEDWAY

            The racing at the P.A.S.S. sanctioned Riverside Speedway, was as hot as the ninety degree temperatures that the drivers raced in last Saturday night, and when it was all said and done, Howard Switser picked up a huge victory in the Bond Auto Parts Triple Crown Series, race #1 in front of one of the biggest crowds in history on River Bend RV Night. Other winners included Nathan Swallow, Shawn Swallow, Ernie Laplant, Luke Shannon, Benjamin Belanger and Brett Gervais.

            A full field of twenty-four North Country Ford Late Models took to the Speedway for their 50 lap main event. Switser jumped to the point early and built up a large advantage, while Jeff Marshall and Floyd Bennett Jr. and others battled for the top five spots. The race settled in to a long run until lap 43, which included three attempts at finishing the race. Switser did a great job holding off everybody until the finish and picked up the $1,000 winners check. Grant Folsom held off Jeff Marshall in a spirited battle at the stripe to pick up second, while Mike Kenison and Paul Schartner III rounded out the top five. Heat checkers flew for Switser, Jeff Wimble and Folsom.

            Nathan Swallow, Jerrad Ledger and Luke Shannon squared off in a three car showdown to the finish in the Budweiser Super Stocks, and when it was all said and done, that’s the way they came across the stripe. David Ofsuryk Jr. and Brian Middleton completed the top five. Dean Switser Jr. and Swallow won their respective qualifying rounds.

            The River Bend RV Street Stock feature was a thriller, as Tyler Therrien and Shawn Swallow ran side by side for 15 laps before Swallow grabbed the lead on the final turn, and rolled to his third win in four attempts. Michael Smith, Tori Delabruere and Alex Theroux finished third through fifth. Therrien and Swallow won the heats.

            Ernie Laplant showed that he is the man to beat in the Twisted Tea Dwarf Cars, as he blistered the field in their 25 lap main event. Eric Hall settled for second, followed by Bobby Riley, Toby Merchant and David Hartshorn. Ciara McCoy and Laplant carried their heat checkers.

            The Kids Only Daycare Daredevil Rookies had a wild event as Nick Gilcris took a wild ride over turn two coming to rest on his roof. Nick was okay, and will be back to race another day. The Rookie top five was Benjamin Belanger, Nick Miller, Erin Hudson, Jerrad Ainsworth, and Keith Lord. The Veterans had a much calmer race going green to checkers with Brett Gervais picking up a hard fought battle over Jesse Switser, Brandon Lambert, Dilyn Switser and Cameron Bowen.

            Luke Shannon completed a good night at the races with a strong performance and victory in the Jiffy Mart Cyclones. Anthony Hill battled Shannon to the finish, but came up three car lengths short at the stripe, and settled for second. Lorin Vear, Charlie Rockwell, and Rick Utley Jr. made up the top five.

            Riverside Speedway will be back in action this coming Saturday night as the Vermont Milk Company presents the evenings activities. 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.