Bobby Taylor wins Budweiser Super Stock 50-lap Feature at Riverside Speedway

Bobby Taylor got to the front earlier and then held off a hard charging Nick Gilcris to capture the $500 to win 50-lap feature for the Budweiser Super Stocks at Riverside Speedway Saturday.

Taylor had a feature event all but locked up earlier in the season. However, an ignition problem led to his power plant shutting down and ending his night at the tail end of the pack.

On this night, the elder statesman built up an early lead, pulling out to a 10 car advantage. A tough battle for the second spot had unfolded between David Allen and newcomer David Wildes. Wildes tried repeatedly to make his Camaro stick on the outside. Unfortunately he couldn’t make the car stay in its groove.

That battle let rookie driver Nick Gilcris take to the outside from his sixth place spot. Gilcris worked his racer on the outside and eventually passed Allen with five laps to go. Gilcris reached Taylor’s back bumper in the final turn. Unfortunately it was too late and Taylor captured the victory. Gilcris was second and Wildes finished third. Heat wins went to Dan Ehlers and Shawn Hood.

The Daredevils raced in a rookie feature and a veteran feature. In the rookie division, Cody Smith powered his Cheverolet into victory lane followed by Anthony Lacoss and Sierra Sanschagrin. Smith also won his qualifier.

Veteran Daredevil driver Brent Ming had his racer dialed from the drop of the green flag, as he easily out distanced the field to pick up the win. Aaron Poulin finished second and Kenneth Lavoie took home the third spot.

The Isaacson Structural Steel Angels took to the pavement for their feature. Top five runners Lyndsey Christman and Lisa Hodgdon got tangled together on the front stretch making contact with the concrete and ending their night.

Up in the front of the pack, there was some great racing. Youngster Desirae Sicard worked hard on the outside, taking over the lead with 10 laps to go. The #29 of Allison Barney tried to stay close to Sicard as they crossed the finish line for the second spot. Lyndon’s Tracie Nelson beat Shauna Randall back to the line for the third spot. Heat wins went to Randall and Barney.

Twenty-two Late Models filled the pits, looking to be the fastest of the group that would earn them a starting spot on the pole for the “Clash of the Titans”. Rookie Riverside LMS driver Jesse Switser turned away all challenges, turning a 13.20 time just a head of Roger Brown, Bryan Mason, and Cody LeBlanc. Switser earned his starting spot on the pole, making him the fifth guaranteed starter for the big event.

The Town & Country Street Stocks prepared for their 30 lap main event. Current Riverside Speedway general manager Jean LeBlanc climbed into his Thunder Road racer for one final feature race at Riverside. LeBlanc called it quits after 27 years of racing at Riverside and he thanked Munce’s Superior and the fans for the many years of support at the high banks. The Riverside faithful applauded in approval and watched the veteran drive through a late race crash untouched, finishing fifth in his final race.

The race was had been won by Dean Switser in his #16. However, post race inspection gave the victory to hard charging Ben Belanger in his #99. The win was the second straight coming from the back of the field. Point leader Doug Duprey finished in the runner-up spot with Brett Rowell third. Shauna Randall was fourth and LeBlanc fifth.

Heat wins went to Randall and Belanger.

Riverside will again have another big night this coming Saturday. It is the Bond Auto Parts Make-A-Wish night at the speedway. The Street Stocks will have a special fifty lap  race and it will be the third and final segment of the Bond Auto Parts triple crown series. Racing begins at 6 p.m.

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