RICE LAKE, Wis. — Jack Rivord, a 17-year-old high school student from Superior, Wis., pulled off a stunning upset Saturday night at the Rice Lake Speedway.
Running in just his third night of competition since moving up to the modifieds from the Midwest Modifieds, Rivord came from the 14th starting position to upset the field and top off an upset filled night of racing.
Rivord had a terrible pushing condition in his car during his heat race and he pulled off the track without finishing that event which resulted in his seventh row starting position for the 20-lap main event.
However, as the main event played out, Rivord had the problem cured as he drove a steady race and gradually worked his way up in the field and then allowed circumstances to benefit him even further.
Brandon Copp had taken the early lead in the feature after pole siter Parker Anderson had steering problems on the opening lap with Sam Fankhauser and Denny Cutsforth challenging him. Cutsforth was on the move and on lap five he dove past Copp to take over the top spot as a battle raged with Steve Hallquist, Kevin Adams and Sam Fankhauser all in the mix.
However, Cutsforth and Copp pulled away from the pack and as Adams dropped out and Fanhauser faded, Rivord continued his drive to the front, pulling into the third position.
Copp gradually closed back up on Cutsforth and they fought for the lead. Copp tried to make a pass on the outside going down the back chute and the cars touched with Copp then sliding up and nipping the retaining wall. However, both cars kept going as they fought for control, but Copp ended up spinning in turn four.
Copp went off on the wrecker with a flat tire and Cutsforth was judged as being at fault by the track officials, so he was sent to the tail of the field. That handed the lead to Rivord with five laps remaining.
And he didn’t waste the great opportunity as he drove away from the field during that last five laps and crossed the line as the winner in one of the bigger upsets in recent track history, given his lack of experience in the Modified class.
Hallquist completed a strong run when he finished up second and Pat Hoffman was scored in the third finishing position.
Other winners on opening night included Terran Spacek in the Super Stocks, Tyler Kintner in the Midwest Modifieds, Ty Agen in the Street Stocks and Cory Jorgensen in the Pure Stocks.