A handful of drivers were at the one-third mile clay oval on Sunday, shaking down their cars for the start of the upcoming season. Included on that list was the familiar blue deuce piloted by three-time Riverside Street Stock Champion, Ken Valeria of Eagle River.

Fans will notice that Ken is not driving his own car. Rather, he is behind the wheel of a Chevy Chevelle put together by one-time rivals Neal Slizewski and Fritz Scharf.

“I found a good deal with Neal, and I’m in for this year, that’s for sure,” Valeria says. “I’m real excited and looking forward to having some fun on Tuesday nights.”

Valeria said he was generally happy with how his car handled in practice, though he said it was a challenge adjusting to a car with a shorter wheelbase than his old Monte Carlo. He said his car was turning a little too freely and it would need to be tighter, especially for feature races.

As far as the season goes, the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Street Stock Champ is not setting the bar that high. After three seasons of running a very limited schedule, he is back to have some fun.

“Well I guess we’ll have to see what happens,” said Valeria looking forward to the upcoming schedule. “Hopefully with a little bit of luck, we can have a good season.”

A good season will become even better for race fans in June and July as Riverside will host three crate Late Model Specials. Those races are planned for June 26, July 10 and July 31 and will run in conjunction with Riverside’s regular race program.

“Some of the big names in the class have the crate late models now,” Riverside Raceway Owner/Promoter Don Scharf says. “We’re expecting a good car turnout on those night, and a fantastic show.”

The last time late models raced at Riverside was June 11, 2002.

Once again in 2007, Riverside Raceway will feature WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks along with Pure Stocks and Family Fours. Scharf says he anticipates similar car counts in each class, with a total of 35 to 40 cars showing up on average.

Plenty of familiar faces will be running at Riverside in 2007. Pure Stock Champion Chad Rosinski of Conover and Family Four Champ Eric Scharf of Eagle River were at the practice night. Street Stock Champ Chad Boettcher of Eagle River will be racing a Midwest Mod this season.

The track has its customary opening night on Memorial Day Sunday, and will begin Tuesday night shows on June 5th. Tuesday shows run through the end of August. Season Championship night will be Sunday, September 2 and Fan Appreciation Night will be Saturday, September 8.

Hot Laps are at 7:30, with racing at 8:00 PM.

2007 Riverside Raceway Schedule


Sun. May 26 – Opening Night
Tue. June 5 – Race Night #2
Tue. June 12 – Race Night #3
Tue. June 19 – Race Night #4
Tue. June 26 – Race Night #5 (Plus Late Models)
Tue. July 3 – Race Night #6
Tue. July 10 – Race Night #7 (Plus Late Models)
Tue. July 17 – Race Night #8
Tue. July 24 – Race Night #9
Tue. July 31 – Race Night #10 (Plus Late Models)
Tue. Aug. 7 – Race Night #11
Tue. Aug. 14 – Race Night #12
Tue. Aug. 21 – Race Night #13
Tue. Aug 28 – Race Night #14
Sun. Sept. 2 – Season Championship Night
Sat. Sept. 8 – Fan Appreciation Night