LALEME, SHANNON AND HODGE VISIT

VICTORY LANE AT RIVERSIDE SPEEDWAY

            The gloomy forecast did nothing to slow down the large crowd from filling up the grandstands again this past Saturday night at the P.A.S.S. sanctioned Riverside Speedway in Groveton, New Hampshire, as the red hot racing action continued on Vermont Milk Company night. Winners on the evening included Doug Laleme, Luke Shannon, Cody Hodge, Ernie Laplant, Miranda Gervais, Nick Gilcris and Jesse Switser.

            Even though the Optical Expressions Outlaw Sportsman are low on numbers, they continue to put on a great show for the crowd. Point leader Derek Ming was MIA, and this allowed a new winner to emerge, as Doug Laleme grabbed the top spot on lap 18 and cruised to his first win of the season. The torrid battle for second through fifth wasn’t decided until turn four of the last lap, as Reggie Theroux held off the challenge of Steve Patnaude to secure the runner-up position. David Ofsuryk Jr., and newcomer, Ron Watson completed the top five. Theroux won the lone qualifier.

            The Budweiser Super Stocks continued to keep the fans on the edge of their seats, as Luke Shannon and Nathan Swallow hooked up in an incredible duel to the finish. It appeared that Jason Kenison was on his way to a career first victory, but lady luck wasn’t riding with him as a brake rotor broke at the mid-race marker ending his bid for victory. At this point Shannon and Swallow set the pace for the next 15 laps as they raced nose to tail, and side by side to the finish with Shannon grabbing the win, Swallow was second, followed by a career best third place finish for Jamie Longley. Matt Carbone and Brian Middleton rounded out the top five. Heat checkers flew for Kenison and Jason Rogers.

            The River Bend RV Street Stocks saw rookie driver, Cody Hodge, pick up an impressive first win over Michael Smith, Shawn Swallow, Alex Theroux and Ryan Heuser. Hodge inherited the lead after front-runners, Tori Delabruere and Tyler Therrien tangled, bringing out the caution. Hodge was able to beat Smith to the line by three car lengths. Tom Sokolis and Delabruere won their respective qualifiers.

            Ernie Laplant kept his winning streak in tact as he blistered the field of Twisted Tea Dwarf Cars once again. Eric Hall battled his way to second ahead of Dana Huoppi, Nathan Brown and Bobby Riley. Laplant also won the preliminary race.

            The Leo Enos Landscaping Angels put on a whale of a show for the fans, and after a shaky start to the event, settled down and put on a tremendous race.  Miranda Gervais picked up her second win of the season, but it was a battle to end as Shirley Ward raced by her with four laps to go, before she battled back in traffic, and picked up the win. Jennie Dion raced home to a solid second place finish ahead of Vanessa Brown, Ward and Johanna Christman.

            Last week, the Kids Only Daycare Daredevil Rookie division struggled to complete their race with five cautions and a rollover red to end the race. On Saturday morning they attended their second driver school of the season, and it paid off as they went green to checkers. Nick Gilcris lead the way to the checkers ahead of Lyndsay Dawson, Nick Miller, Brent Ming and Erin Hudson. Jesse Switser outraced the field in the Veterans feature. Kyle Pembroke, Brandon Lambert, Brett Gervais and Dilyn Switser followed him to the stripe.

            The first Spectator Drags of the season took place and it was a wild affair. After the dust settled, “Hammering” Heyward Herriott held off “Dyno” Dan Benoit to grab the trophy.

            The first 4x4 Tug O’ War was held and the winners included Steve Tremaine in the ½ ton, Paul Morency in the ¾ ton and Travis Plante won the diesel class.