By Lou Modestino
With Opening Day just 3 short months away, the interest swirling around the All-New Riverside Speedway is growing. Drivers have been inquiring about the new schedule, rules, and bonuses that will be accompanying the 2013 season. With the swelling list of drivers, the championship talks have already been on the tongues of fans and racers alike. Two people throwing their names in the championship bucket are Bryan Mason and Jamie Heath.
Bryan Mason. Three-time Late Model champion from ’08-’10. Tied for third all-time in Late Model championships at Riverside Speedway. Not only that, but has two 4 cylinder championships under his belt at two different tracks. The numbers are all there for this star, but you’d never know it talking to him. When asked what he thinks about his name being spoken with the greats George Stone and Aaron Bennett, he is very humble.
“I used to watch them as a kid,” Mason states. “I never thought I’d even drive a Late Model, let alone be in the same sentence as Stone and Bennett. It’s kinda neat”. Mason is looking to grab his 4th title at Riverside, but realizes it’s not going to be easy. “You need to be consistent and stay out of trouble,” commented Mason. “You don’t need to win every race, but you need to be in the top 5 and just finish. I’m just glad to be coming back to my home track, one that my family help build”.
Jamie Heath is a name familiar to area 4 cylinder drivers. Heath has enjoyed championships at Beech Ridge and Oxford, and the Waterville, Maine driver put on quite the show at the Fall Brawl. Heath had a mechanical issue at the start of the Street Stock race, had to start the race at the rear of the pack, and was all over Nick Pilotte at the end of the race for the win, but fell just short. Heath returns to Riverside because of the way staff and racers treat him.
“My goals are to win a couple of races and finish top 5 in points,” Heath says. “It will be tough to beat guys like Cole Kilby, Keith Normand, Jason Kenison, and Pilotte. I’m sure someone else who did their homework over the winter will step up to the challenge as well”.
No doubt about it, Riverside Speedway will be home to some great championship battles in 2013. Each division boasts some great competition, and does not have one run-away favorite to stomp the field. The rule changes for the 2013 season have now been posted to the website, www.riversidespeedwaynh.com. Be sure to visit the website for more information in the near future, including the complete schedule for the upcoming season. The racing season can’t come soon enough at Riverside Speedway!
Kevin Rice reveals that the Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH won’t be operating in 2013 under the direction of Dennis Fluery. Fluery has the track for sale and expects to have the venue sold. Hopefully in time for the 2013 season. Rice’s piece in Area Auto Racing News tells readers that the nearby Canaan Speedway, paved track, could be the beneficiary of some Modified cars when Canaan opens up in the spring. Canaan’s dirt track goes Friday nights while the paved track conducts Saturday night meets. Dick Therrien promotes both ovals.