RIVERSIDE SPEEDWAY LATE
MODELS
READY TO FEEL THE 
THIS SUMMER
Things
are going to be hot at Riverside Speedway during the 2007 racing season
in the Late Model Sportsman division. No, not a fire with flames, but there
will be enough heat that you will swear that there should be flames on every
turn.
"I
am so excited about the Late Model class of 2007 at Riverside Speedway,
exclaimed General Manager, Dick Therrien. First off, we have a brand new
sponsor for the division in Gilmour Jeep / Ford / Dodge out of St.
Johnsbury. They are bringing a whole new package of enthusiasm to the class
and the track. Then we have an unbelievable spurt in licensed drivers in the
Late Model group. We have a large influx of veteran drivers returning to the
fray, and a host of new drivers attempting to enter the LMS field for the
first time."
Hard
charging Corey Mason from Stark, New Hampshire will be looking to grab his
first Late Model championship. Mason has been a bridesmaid over the past
couple of seasons, but with 2006 champ, Kenny Dufour uncertain about his 2007
plans, this certainly opens the door for Mason to step up to heavyweight
contendership. Other veteran drivers intending to make a serious challenge for
the championship include hard charging Mike Kenison, Mike Paquette, former
champion Owen Wimble Jr., and veteran campaigner, Brian Greer. Several drivers
will be making a return to their original stomping grounds in 2007, those
names include long time campaigner Jean Leblanc from Berlin, New
Hampshire. Following Leblanc back to Riverside will be Grant Folsom, returning
from a short stint on the ACT Tour. Also returning to Riverside in 2007 will
be Mike Mills Jr. after a several year layoff. Several rookies will be headed
to the premiere division in 2007. The rookie contingent will be led by 2006
Street Stock champion, Ryan Delabruere in a very potent former Joey Laquere,
ACT Tour car. Joining Delabruere will be Sharon, Vermont's, Kevin Menard.
Menard, a long time Sportsman Coupe runner on the dirt at Bear Ridge Speedway,
will make his asphalt debut in the former Steve Mills machine. Other Rookie of
the Year contenders include Charlie Rockwell, Howard Switser, Tim Churchill,
and Donald Franklin. Leading the charge from Central Vermont will be the
"Young Gun" himself, Brooks Clark. Clark will be looking to
improve on a solid 2006 season. He is also a serious contender for the
title. Other runners from the area include longtime racer, Dave Simpson, as
well as Jeff and Chris Wimble. Simpson is reportedly going to be behind
the wheel of some new equipment in 2007. Groveton's, Brian Gosselin is looking
to run as many LMS races as his budget will allow, and Riverside legend, Randy
Potter has recently filed a license application, and is planning on running
selected events at the Northern New Hampshire speedplant.
Several regular
competitors have yet to register for 2007, but have indicated that they will
be back to battle for the LMS title. Fans can expect to see well over twenty
cars battling for qualifying spots throughout the season. For more information
on Riverside Speedway and to feel the off-season heat, visit their website, www.riversidespeedway.org,
or call the track hotline at 603-636-2005. Riverside Speedway is located on
Brown Road, just off Route 3 in Groveton, New Hampshire.