By GARY DUTTON
LEBANON — Claremont Speedway honored it stars of 2018 Saturday and, at the same time, unveiled promising plans to upgrade its competition level when the third-mile speed plant rolls out its 2019 racing season next spring.
With a capacity crowd filling the Lebanon Elks banquet hall, the speedway’s three 2018 champions were feted, with Ricky Blu, R.E. Hinkley Super Streets, Bryan Town, Pepsi Street Stocks, and Zach Lyn, T-Bird Mini Mart Wild Cats, each taking a victory lap bow. The trio, though, weren’t the night’s only winners.
Three lucky drivers each picked up a cool $1,000 bonus via blind draw of those in attendance, and speedway management made a big announcement of steps now being finalized to increase the competition level in next year’s action at the Thrasher Road oval.
Raven Streeter, Mike Salois, and Tyler Lescord each pocketed a $1,000 award, with Lescord quickly tossing $100 into the track’s go-kart fund. Hayden Grenier picked up $100 in the draw, with Chris Riendeau and Dylan Bodreau each pocketing $50.
Speedway co-owners Jim Ambrose and Phil Hayes each drew large cheers with their announcement that the Claremont oval is partnering with four other Granite State ovals to standardize tech rules for the upcoming season.
Hayes said Claremont has entered into an agreement with Lee, Star, Hudson, and Monadnock Speedways to standardize rules in order to enhance car counts at each of the ovals. That agreement, Hayes said, should be finalized within the next two weeks.
Ambrose also announced that the 30-plus-car Red Neck Enduros and a new Six Shooter division will see plenty of action at the track next summer.
Picking up special awards Saturday were Super Stocker Craig Smith, who earned the Hard Luck award for his struggles throughout the year; Wild Cat Raven Streeter, voted the Most Improved Driver; and Chris Reindeer, who led the loop in feature wins, earning no fewer then 11 victories en route to coming up just shy of the Street Stock championship,
The speedway’s 2018 Rookies of the Year were Matt Sonnhalter, Super Streets, Robbie Streeter, Street Stocks, and Kyle Templeton, Wild Cats. Of the 21 events contested this summer, 15 different teams competed in every race.
Bly’s Super Street championship was his second in as many seasons but, he told the crowd on hand Saturday, he will not defend it in 2019, choosing to pursue other goals while running a limited schedule at Claremont. Dylan Bodreau finished second on the year, with the season’s Top 10 completed by Ben Poland, Craig Smith, Mark McClay, Alex Poisson, Tyler Lescord, Kenny Fowler, Tyler Searles, and Joe Brown.
Like Bly, Street Stock king Bryan Town, announced that he will not defend his 2018 crown next summer. His 2018 title – won with five feature and 13 heat race victories – was his second, duplicating one of a decade earlier. Chris Riendeau – he of the 11 feature victories – was second on the season, followed by Lenny Silver, Dave Greenslit, Robbie Streeter, Briana Akusis, Kenny Thompson, Chris Colburn, Nick Little and Mike Salois.
With Zach Lyn celebrating back-to-back Wild Cat championships, potent rookie Kyle Templeton finished his inaugural season second in points. He was followed by Kyle Currier, Raven Streeter, Chris Carver, Jim Carley, Victor Branch, Jon Alden, Hayden Grenier, and Seth Melcher.
Speedway manager Toby Batchelder drew a standing ovation when he announced he is stepping down to pursue other interests, and Ascutney’s Dave Lescord, a former driver himself, was honored with much applause for his continued, often unsung, work to advance and support the speedway.
Claremont Speedway’s 2019 racing schedule will be finalized and announced in the upcoming months on the track’s website and on its facebook page.
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