VanAlst Claims Late Model Title
ANDERSON – Two first-time champions were crowned Friday night during the opening night of championship weekend at Anderson Speedway.
Teenager Ryder VanAlst entered the night with a 29-point advantage over Cassten Everidge in the Vern’s Concrete Late Model division. The two championship contenders qualified first and second, with VanAlst going on to win the heat race while Everidge finished fifth after a spin.
The two title contenders started the feature from the front row, with VanAlst taking the early lead ahead of Everidge and Caleb Reschar.
Everidge used a bump-and-run move to take the lead from VanAlst coming off the fourth corner on lap six. Five laps later, VanAlst brought out the only caution of the race when he spun and suffered a flat tire.
Everidge went on to score the victory by more than four seconds over Danny Trent. Reschar finished third, with VanAlst crossing the finish line fourth.
With the championship points tallied, VanAlst was declared the provisional champion and celebrated on the front straight.
“We had to do a lot of work on the car tonight,” Everidge said. “We made lots of changes. It’s a blessing to be back here in victory lane.”
VanAlst was at a loss for words after securing his first Anderson Speedway championship.
“From the start of the season, we wanted to win the championship,” he said.
Grissom Claims Ford Division Title
Colin Grissom took the lead from fast qualifier Noah Allison on lap 18 of the Knapp Supply Ford Division feature to secure the provisional championship.
Allison set fast time in qualifying, while Grissom, JD Blankenship Jr. and Curtis Chapman each scored heat race victories.
Allison took the lead at the start of the feature, chased by Chapman and Grissom. Grissom moved into second by passing Chapman on lap 11 and then set his sights on Allison.
Grissom completed the pass for the lead on lap 18 and went on to score his first win of the 2026 season. Chapman finished second, followed by Caleb Burge and Allison.
Robbins Sweeps Legends Action
John Robbins swept the night in Beaver Contracting Legends competition to claim his sixth Anderson Speedway championship.
Robbins entered the night tied with Xavier King for the points lead. He set fast time in qualifying and won his heat race, while King qualified second but finished second to Burge in his heat.
Robbins led every lap of the feature, turning back strong challenges from King and Burge to score the victory and provisional championship.
“It was tough,” Robbins said in Hoosier Lottery Victory Lane. “I had to work for the win tonight.”
Championship weekend concludes Saturday night at Anderson Speedway with the USA Tires Modifieds, Vore’s Welding & Steel Street Stocks, Front Wheel Drives and Beaver Contracting Thunder Roadsters.
