Buescher, Riall, Swallows, Folsom and Burge Take Top Honors

By Tom Hammond

Click to View Results - Photo Gallery

Anderson Speedway returned to racing action on Friday, September 2, with the opening night of the Newco Metals Laboring Through the Weekend. James Buescher was the winner of the wild Legends feature, Alice Riall scored the Insight ThunderCar Oval checkered flag with Paris Swallows Jr. returning to the Texas Roadhouse Winner’s Circle in the Insight ThunderCar Figure 8’s. Sam Folsom won the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval with Travis Burge taking the Figure 8 victory.

Phillip Gill, of Cincinnati, Ohio, sailed into the first position at the drop of the green flag in the Legends feature, controlling the early portion of the event. Towards the mid-point of the 25-lap event, fast timer Daniel Russell began to advance to the front of the pack as Tommy Jordan was setting his sights on first position. On the 20th circuit, Russell climbed to fourth position as Jordan took over the lead from Gill.

Then a multi-car accident took out many of the front runners including Russell, T.J. Sneva, Charles Hudson, Kyle LaPier and Tony Holden. Jordan then paced the remainder of the event until the final lap when Jordan was involved in a crash on the back stretch. That advanced James Buescher to the first position and the victory. Mark Sullivan was second with Gill, John Robbins and Trent Henderson rounding out the top five.

Tommy Jordan was the winner of the first heat race with David Sutton grabbing top honors in the second heat. Daniel Russell posted the quickest lap in during time trials with a time of 14.009 seconds.

Continuing her superb Insight ThunderCar Oval season, Alexandria’s Alice Riall won the 20-lap feature. Tim Nickerson darted into first position and led the opening five circuits. On the sixth go-around, Riall charged into the lead. During the final stages, Riall was forced to fend off a hard-charging Billy Riddle. At the finish, Riall was followed by Riddle, Brandon Phillips, Tim Nickerson and William Coffman.

In preliminary action, Alice Riall and Tim Nickerson were winners of heat races. Billy Riddle posted the best time in qualifying with a lap of 15.299 seconds.

Paris Swallows Jr. led flag-to-flag to win the 15-lap Insight ThunderCar Figure 8 feature. He got the jump on Robert Brumback at the drop of the green flag and then fended off numerous challenges from Billy Riddle. Third at the checkers was Terry Malone Jr. with Donnie Ellis Jr. and Robert Brumback completing the top five.

In an action-packed Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Oval feature, Sam Folsom emerged as the race winner. Brad Stevens led the opening 10 circuits and then following a restart, Folsom was able to complete the race-winning pass. Dustin Burge made a late-race pass to grab runner-up honors with Stevens, Brian Harmon and Nick Warner filling out the top five.

Jerry Smith won the first heat race with Jerry Baker scoring the checkered flag in the second heat. Brad Stevens was the top qualifier at 16.063 seconds.

In the Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s, Travis Burge continued his recent hot streak, earning the victory. He passed Randy Owen on the third circuit and then drove into the Texas Roadhouse Winner’s Circle. At the finish, Nick Warner was second with David Baker, Randy Owen and Corey Elliott completing the top five.

On Saturday, September 3, The Star Press Saturday Night Series showcases the Grant Fritz / Greg Dietzen Memorial with the Legends. The Ed Martin Auto Group SuperTrucks, Terry’s RV Sales & Service Street Stocks and Chappy’s Rent to Own Front Wheel Drive Figure 8’s will also be featured on the world’s fastest quarter-mile oval.

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.