Marsh, Riddle, Swallows, Smith and Teepe Grab Top Honors

By Kyle Larson
Public Relations Director

Click to View Results - Photo Gallery

Anderson Speedway returned to racing action on Friday, July 29, with the opening night of the Insight Double Thunder Power Weekend. In Limited Late Model action, Muncie’s Todd Marsh scored the victory with the Insight ThunderCar Oval win going to Billy Riddle and the Figure 8 checkered flag was captured by Paris Swallows Jr. In Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive competition, Chris Teepe claimed the Figure 8 feature with Jerry Smith the winner of the Oval event.

The 30-lap Limited Late Model feature showcased the largest starting field of the season with 14 cars taking the green flag. Early season winner Mike Coates soared to the lead, getting the jump on 56th Best Way Disposal National Crown winner Mike Riddle Jr. In the opening laps, Coates was then forced to hold off a hard-charging William Mefford. On the eighth circuit, Mefford dropped out with apparent mechanical problems.

Coates then began to pull away on Riddle with Todd Marsh advancing to third spot on the ninth lap. After Marsh completed a pass on Riddle on the 21st circuit, he set his sights on Coates. With two laps remaining, he completed the race-winning pass. At the finish, Marsh was followed by Coates, Riddle, Ray Fullen and Dean Baker.

Anderson’s Mike Riddle Jr. and Shirley’s David McConnell were winners of heat race action. Marsh posted the fastest time in qualifying with a one lap time of 13.330 seconds.

Billy Riddle turned in a dominant performance during the Insight ThunderCar Oval feature, pacing the complete 20-lap distance. He darted ahead of the field with fast qualifier Clint Groves battling him for the checkered flag throughout the race.

The victory for Riddle was his second of the season. At the checkered flag, he was chased by Groves with William Coffman recording a strong third-place showing. Anderson’s David Short and Alexandria’s Alice Riall rounded out the top five.

In preliminary action, Greenfield’s Shantell Banks made it two heat victories in a row. Tim Nickerson scored top honors in the second heat race. Clint Groves was the fast timer with an official clocking of 15.522 seconds, just 0.017 seconds ahead of Riddle.

Less than a week after being involved in a violent crash in the cross-over during the National Crown, Paris Swallows Jr. returned to win his fifth Insight ThunderCar Figure 8 of the 2005 season. On the initial start, Robert Brumback and Tim Nickerson made contact in turn 3, forcing Nickerson hard into the retaining wall and out of competition.

On the second try, Brumback stormed to the top of the leader board. He held the first position until Swallows completed the race-winning pass with three laps remaining. At the finish, Swallows placed ahead of Brumback, Billy Riddle, David Short and Roy Grissom Sr.

Jerry Smith recorded his second feature win of the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval season. He darted into the first position after driving by Pete Corsaro right before the completion of the first circuit. Once out front, Smith did a masterful job of handling lapped traffic to earn a trip to the Texas Roadhouse Winner’s Circle.

Finishing behind Smith were Travis Erhart with point’s leader Dustin Burge placing third. John Burge and Keith Morris rounded out the top-five finishers. In heat race action, John Burge, Paul Morgan and Haillie Glover grabbed the winning hardware. Dustin Burge was the fast qualifier with a la of 16.205 seconds.

Earning a fourth checkered flag in the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8 division, Chris Teepe was the winner in the 10-lap event. He grabbed the point on the drop of the green flag from Keith Morris. At the finish, Teepe was followed by Morris, Nick Warner, Randy Owen and John Burge.

The Insight Double Thunder Power Weekend concludes at Anderson Speedway on Saturday, July 30. The Star Press Saturday Night Series features the Insight ThunderCar Enduro 200, Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks and Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stocks.

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 contact Anderson Speedway at (765) 642-0206.