The P.A.S.S. sanctioned Riverside Speedway opened their 2006 racing season in fine style this past Saturday night, as a great opening night crowd witnessed some of the best racing in many seasons at the stories Northern New Hampshire speedplant. Winners on the 26th Annual NAPA Spectacular, Bobby Shores Memorial Day Classic included, Mike Kenison in the Currier RV Late Models, Willie Holbrook in the Budweiser Super Stocks, Jason Kenison in the Pat’s Auto Sales Street Stocks, Jessie Switser in the Rookie Daredevils, Tyler Leighton in the Novice Daredevils, and Shawn Swallow in the Veteran’s Daredevils.

            The day started off with the Wildman Auto Daredevils main event. With over twenty cars in the pits, and several raw new rookies in the field, three separate features were run. Jessie Switser collected his first career checkers in the Rookies, as he held off a late race challenge from Walter Bandy and Kristopher Russell. Jamie Kenison Jr. and Brett Gervais completed the top five. It was Tyler Leighton grabbing the victory in the Novice class, as he withstood several challenges from Dayna Randall and Ciara McCoy. Tori Delabruere and Vanessa Brown placed 4^th and 5^th respectively. Two of the divisions hot shots ran side by side for nearly 20 laps, thrilling the crowd with their clean racing skills. Shawn Swallow edged out Sammy Gooden at the stripe in the Veteran’s class. Tyler barrows, Alex Theroux and Riley Hartshorn rounded out the top five.

            Mike Kenison started on the point and never relinquished the spot, as he held off several heavy hitters to nail down the win in the Currier RV Late Model main event. Kenison had to hold off a hard charging Ken Dufour much of the way, as they raced side by side for over half the race. Dufour settled for second followed by Stephen Hodgdon, Owen Wimble and Stephen Mills. Sam Gooden and Stephen Hodgdon won the qualifying rounds.

            Willie Holbrook showed he is a top contender for the Budweiser Super Stock championship in 2006, as he made an impressive run to the front to win the thirty lap main event. It was no easy task for Holbrook as Dan Sydney dogged him most of the way, and young Nathan Swallow, 2005 Street Stock champion, reeled him in, but ran out of time. The top five ended up Holbrook, Swallow, Sydney , Ron Watson and Denny Degreenia. Swallow and Degreenia won their respective heats.

            The Pat’s Auto Sales Street Stock main was a good one, as Jason Kenison kept the family streak alive by claiming victory in the 25 lap feature race. It was no easy victory as Derrick O’Donnell rode his back bumper over the final ten laps, but was unable to get by for the win, and settled for 2^nd spot. Rookie, Michael Smith placed third ahead of Ryan Delabruere and Dustin Jackson. Heat wins went to Jason Emerson and Delabruere.

            The NAPA All Star Car Show was held earlier in the day. The Daredevil top three were Ciara McCoy, Jesse Switser and Vanessa Brown. Street Stock awards went to Michael Smith, Derrick O’Donnell and Bill Stebbins Jr.. Super Stock awards went to Ron Watson, Willie Holbrook and Shawn Hood. Mike Paquette took top honors for the Late Models, followed by Stephen Mills and Sam Gooden.

            The P.A.S.S. Super Late Models invade Riverside Speedway next Sunday afternoon, June 4^th at 1:30pm for the Riverside 150. Also on the card will be the P.A.S.S. Mods, Riverside’s Budweiser Super Stocks, and the Jiffy Mart Cyclones will be competing in a $375 to win, 100 lap enduro. Riverside Speedway is located off Route 3, Brown Road, in Groveton, New Hampshire . For more information logon to www.riversidespeedway.org, or call the track hotline at 603-636-2005. For information on the P.A.S.S. Series, check out their website at www.ProAllStarsSeries.com.