Riverside International Speedway Season Preview - By: Gary Boggan

Posted Jody Shannon on March 31st, 2008 | Filed under Articles, Gary Boggan

Starting it’s 59th consecutive season, Riverside International Speedway is located in the truck stop capitol of the world, West Memphis, Ark. The track under reign of new owner Clayton Allen since August of 2006 will play host to several big shows to highlight the year such as USCS Sprintcars Speedweek on May 24th,The first trip for the Southern Regionan Racing Series paying $3,000 to the victor in the Super Latemodel division on June 14th, Thursday July 10th will markthe first ever trip for the USCS Modifieds and Riverside will play host to the 5th stop on the Modified Speedweek Tour as they will be accompanied by street stocks and 360 sprintcars, with a bonus to any driver that can win all three, and a $1,000 bonus to any driver that can win two. All-Star Circuit of Champions on August 16th, The 2nd Annual Grassroots Nationals on October 4th which highlighted the wingless 305 sprintcars the street stocks and winged 360 sprintcars, the last race for the Southern Modified Promotion which pays the winner $3,000 and is expected to draw 40-50 of the top modified drivers from around the area, and the season will conclude on October 18th with the Trick or Treat Nationals expecting to draw several of the East Coast 360 sprints headed towards Little Rock, Ark. for the Short Track Nationals the next weekend.

With rumors I have heard of 20 Winged 360’s in the area, you can not count out the likes of Swindell, Gallagher, the Howards, Stull, Ainsworth, Coke, just a few to mention. These drivers last year put on a great show every week, with Dale Howard claiming the points title, with Jeff Swindell right behind. For the first time in a long time Eddie Gallagher did not run for points at Riverside, I look for him to be back dominant again this year.

I have heard of around 38-40 wingless 305’s looking to tackle the 1/4 mile gumbo facility, once again I have heard the names of Swindell, Gallagher, and rumors of older drivers such as Lenny Greene getting another ride put together for the season, McDaniels, Hoover, and rookie driver Bubba Jones.

In the crate latemodel class last year it was all Dalton Alexander, who is a mini-stock graduate. Cody Knight and rumors of his uncle Steven Knight will pilot his son Dillon’s car this year, look for them to be tough company this year. I would expect anywhere from 12-16 cars per race.

In the open wheel modified division I would expect to see the 2007 wingless 305 champion Terry Kerbough back behind the wheel of a modified. “Turbo” Kerbough spent several years behind the wheel of an open wheel modified during my childhood in the 90’s. I would expect to see returning champion Brandon Poppenheimer and runner-up “X-Man” Terry Gray. I have heard we can expect to see 15-20 modifieds weekly.

In the street stock division, it’s a toss up. I have heard rumors of Kevin Davis not racing very much this year, as he wants to focus on son Dalton career. I look for Dalton Davis to compete once again in the Street Stock class, and be a tough competitor. As always he will have local drivers George Washington, “Wimp” Gatlin, Buck Scallorn, and others to compete with weekly. Expect to see 20-22 cars weekly.

The ministock division, which has been dominated for years by the Swindell/Ward drivers. The return of 2007 champion, Sissy Swindell, will be a good one as she is the first female champion since the tracks opening in 1949. Also look for her brother Bud Ward, her daughter Britni Swindell, and Bud’s wife Michelle to once again head up the ministock division. I have not heard any names, but have heard of between 15-20 cars on any given night.

In the 250cc minisprints I would expect to see the normal 8 or 9 show up, with Sean Musselwhite returning to defend his championship. I expect him to be challenged by Gary Youngblood. In the 600cc minisprints look for Justin Webb, John Campbell, Scott Bolden, Samantha Gargus, and Jimmy McClain to be the class of the field when any of them show up.

As for me, I plan to compete for points in the Open Wheel Modified division as well as making as many shows as I can in the ministock class. I have plans to make some laps in a wingless sprintcar and currently looking for a street stock ride for a couple of races this year.