Mike Riddle Jr. Wins 1 Hour Enduro, Elliott, Warner, and Elliott Also Win

By: Cassie Marcum

A huge crowd was on hand as Anderson Speedway returned to action on July 4th with the Indiana Business College Figure 8 Madness featuring Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s, School Buses, Powder Puff School Buses, and a Figure 8 Enduro. The night was completed with fireworks set to music by MAX/WHBU.

The evening began with a dominant race by Nick Warner in the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s. Warner started on the pole for the 12-lap feature and was able to maintain that position to take the win. Ronnie Phipps was able to grab the second place position on lap 4 and hold off Randy Hoppes to finish second. Hoppes was third, with Shane Cullen and Jeff Wright rounding out the top five.

Bobby Jo Elliott scored a flag-to-flag victory in the Powder Puff School Buses. Roxanne Grissom came home with a second place finish, along with Tara Folsom, Teresa Dowden, and Becky Stanley finishing out the top five.

Cory Elliott took home the win in the action-packed School Bus Figure 8’s. By lap 2 of the feature the buses were racing 3-wide for position. On lap 4 of the 12-lap event, the leader, Mike Day, tried to go through the grass to get around a slower bus and collided with the bus driven by Shawn Cullen in the cross over. Cullen was able to continue the race, but Day’s ride was cut short due to his front-end being damaged. Day’s luck seemed to worsen as only two circuits later two buses became hooked together and side- swiped the wrecked bus of Day. Elliott took over the lead on lap 10 to take home the win. Danny Stanley, Jr. was second, Ronnie Phipps third, with Tony Grissom and Shawn Cullen rounding out the top five.

Anderson’s Mike Riddle, Jr. scored the victory in an exciting 1 Hour Figure 8 Enduro. Rod Phipps grabbed the pole position with a lap of 20.255 seconds. He dominated the first half of the feature, leading all fifty-one laps. The second to fifth positions were busy with the battle to take over the second spot. On lap fifty-one, a brief shower ended the first portion of the Enduro and the drivers were given a 10-minute break to rest and the crews were able to work on their respective cars.

The second half of the race began with a slippery start after the rain. Phipps started from the first spot and was able drive off with a big lead until a caution was thrown. On the restart, Phipps didn’t have it as easy as Riddle Jr. was able to stay with him and battle for lead position. On lap 91 contact was made between Phipps and Riddle Jr. and Riddle was able to take the lead and the third place car of Ronnie Rose was also able to get around Phipps. However, that didn’t last long as Phipps got back around Rose for the second spot to battle Riddle once again for the lead. Riddle did everything he could to hold off Phipps throughout the closing laps. Riddle Jr. held on to win after he and Phipps touched on the corner coming for the white flag. Phipps was second, Rose third, with Dustin Burge and Bobby Long finishing out the top five.

One of Anderson’s largest fireworks displays filled the skies to the music of MAX and WHBU radio after the races were completed.

Anderson Speedway returns to racing action on Friday, July 6th with the WLBC/MAX Friday Night Summer Series showcasing Newco Metals Legends, ThunderCars along with Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drives in Oval and Figure 8 action.

On Friday Night, spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with the racing program beginning at 8. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

On Saturday, July 7th, the Ed Martin Auto Group 75 with O’Reilly USA Modified Tour will be featured along with Lampco Federal Credit Union Street Stocks, Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks, and Figure 8’s.

On Saturday Night, spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with racing beginning at 8. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for kids ages 6-12. Children five and under get in free.

For additional information on Anderson Speedway, contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.