Destruction rules 55th season finale at Brighton Speedway
By: Nicole Kleinsteuber
Brighton Speedway descended into madness on Saturday as a packed house starred mayhem in the face and howled for more on the Eve of Destruction.
The 55th season ended with an impressive 180 entries strapped in for the annual day of leveling presented by Brighton Recycling, Workman’s Ok Tire, Lange and Fetter Motors, Hotch’s Auto Parts and North Shore RV Park.
100-Lap Monster Enduro
A crowded field of 91 cars buckled in, cramming the track for the Hotch’s Auto Parts 100-lap Monster Enduro. Multiple cars collided and went off the track and when the dust settled, it was No. 347 Nathan Mitchell who waived the checkered flag. No. 91 Steve McNevin was runner-up, No. 03 Dakota Haight third, No. 20 Charlie Pederson fourth and No. 49 Jake Jackson fifth.
Junior Enduro
The 25-lapper Hotch’s Junior Endro, for drivers aged 18 and under, saw No. 03A Dillon Barker pounce on the lead at the drop of the green flag. He was unstoppable as he flew to victory lane. No. 10 Keegan Tugnette crossed the finish line second, No. 29 Casey Barker third, No. 37 Jaiden Miller fourth and No. 49 Abbie Jackson fifth.
Ladies Enduro
Female drivers competed in Hotch’s 35-lap main event with 22 entries. No. 85 Brittany Golden took off at the drop of the green flag and never relinquished the point. She rode to checkers with No. 707 Megan Golden in second, No. 68 Lisa Quesnel third, No. 69 Krichele Webster fourth and No. 767 Sydney Haight fifth.
School Bus Race
The Workman’s OK Tire School Bus race had 17 drivers entered, competing after a four-wide parade lap. From the drop of the green flag, mania ensued as the buses battled for the lead. No. 29 Jan Steenstra took the field to green as No. 88 Bryan McColl hunted the leader down. McColl took the lead only to have it snapped up by No. 77 Bernie Rhebergen at the halfway mark. Rhebergen scored the win with McColl coming in second. No. 94 Shawn Sousa third, No. 98 Kyle Rhebergen fourth and No. 9 Dylan Vreugdenhil fifth.
Flag Pole Race
The flag pole race required drivers to navigate the flag pole figure-8. After a test run chaos reigned for 10 laps with No. 20 Charlie Pederson taking first place. No. 29P Dean Lamoureux placed second, No. 27 Jack Hannah third, No. 751 Ethan Dorie fourth and No. 29K Kenny Ohno fifth.
Trailer Race
The North Shore RV Park trailer race featured six entertaining entries. At the drop of the green flag, drivers drove so hard into each other that they only completed one lap until all the trailers flew off. With dismantled trailers strewn all over the track, No. 29K Kenny Ohno was virtually untouched and declared the winner.
Long Jump
The ever-popular long jump had two drivers competing for car-flying bragging rights. No. 187 Ian Whalen jumped an impressive 68 feet to claim the top prize and No. DC54 Curtis Chamberlain with a 60-foot result to take second.
Demolition Derby
The Brighton Recycling Demolition Derby concluded the day’s events and 12 cars entered the ring. In rapid fashion, that number was reduced one – No. 14 Tim Wilson. K20 Jacob Boggle was second and No. 155 Mike Goswell third.
The 2022 season is officially over with an 100% success rate. The Rinaldi Family and staff wish to thank all the drivers, their crew, sponsors of competitors as well as the Speedway and of course all of the fans. This 55th season saw new Champions, fierce competition, action packed racing, great food, full grandstands and most of all fun. Watch for the 2023 schedule in the New Year Race Fans!
