Another stock car racing enthusiast is stepping up for a kick at the can at Riverside Speedway in Groveton.

Dan Fournier, a Colebrook native and proprietor of Lancaster Auto Sales on Route 3 in Lancaster, signed a lease with purchase option with owner CJ Robinson on Labor Day.

Fournier, like many of us die-hards, was brought to the races as a youngster and he was smitten. It’s still the best way to build fans over the long haul. Get them to the track at an early age.

Fournier is a sponsor of Randy Potter’s 02NH Late Model, which sits sixth in points on the American Canadian Tour. He would like to revive the Clash of the Titans, a Late Model creation of Dick Therrien, who put in a few seasons as Riverside’s promoter before taking the reins at Canaan.

“I would like to grow the Late Model division,” Fournier said. “I think that’s what people come to see. We’re going to try and line sponsors up and offer a $10,000-to-win “Clash” early in the season, if possible.” Hometown favorite Luke Shannon is the 2012 Riverside Late Model champion, having won the season finale.

The first order of business, beyond a few coats of paint here and there, will be the running of the Berlin City Auto Group’s Frostbite Enduro 150 on Saturday, Nov. 3. The event pays $2,000 to win. The total purse is over four grand. The early entry fee is $100 per car/driver. Fournier expects more than 100 cars and wants to build some momentum heading into the off-season.

“We want to get some sponsors in place,” Fournier said. “We need some billboards and get some local businesses involved. North Country Ford in Lancaster has been supportive of the track and they will continue to do so.”

Melinda “Min” Kennett, a Groveton lifer who Fournier calls “the backbone of the place,” served as the pit steward, handicapper and whatever else was needed in 2012. Kennett is the town clerk and tax collector. That gives her a real appreciation for what the track means to the town.

Wausau Paper Corp. closed down its Groveton facility after the winter holidays in 2008, leaving 300 employees out of work. A year later, less than an hour up the Connecticut River, Ethan Allen Furniture got shuttered, leaving 250 people out of work.

Since then, the track — they don’t call it Riverside for nothing — has been flooded three times. “We had a phenomenal year in 2009, since then, not as good,” Kennett said. She doesn’t plan on throwing in the towel. She was born the day the track opened in 1964. Her father, Pete Marshall, 73 is a past track champion and the current flagman. “He missed opening day to attend my birth,” Kennett said. “I’ve never heard the end of it.”

Jon McKennedy survived two late race restarts in the Art Barry No. 2 and recorded his third Valenti Modified Racing Series in the Lincoln Tech 80 at Stafford Motor Speedway Friday night. Defending series champion Chris Pasteryak of Lisbon, Conn., finished second ahead of NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour point leader Doug Coby of Wethersfield, Conn.

McKennedy’s closest challenger, Rowan Pennink, isn’t as close anymore. Pennink pitted out of the top-5 with smoke under the hood and didn’t return. McKennedy has a 57-point lead with three races remaining.

The fourth annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational 50 goes this Saturday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Forty-three cars will start, including the Northstar Fireworks No. 9 of 15 year-old Emily Packard of East Montpelier, Vt. Packard ran Allison Legacy cars for three years, started her first Late Model race at Canaan last year, and has been competitive over the second half of the season this year at Thunder Road. She looked the part in a Loudon test and tune session and got one of the last invites. An NHMS press release quoted her: “As soon as we walk through that tunnel I’m going to be satisfied. Obviously we would love a great finish, but just going there is enough for me. I can’t wait!”

Donnie Lashua of Canaan, who must know every inch of the one-third mile Canaan asphalt oval, took the lead on lap 39 and won the Granite State Pro Stock Series 100. Corey Roberts, also of Canaan, was second. Bobby Baillargeon of Kingston and Matt Pepin of Webster, in a Lashua team car, ran 3-4 ahead of Monadnock veteran Barry Gray.

Jacob Dore of Sanford, Maine, wrapped up the Star Speedway EKeys 4 Cars Modified title last Saturday night.

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Tom Herzig writes a weekly racing column for the New Hampshire Union Leader.

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On Track This Week

NHMS Whelen Mods: Saturday, 12:15 p.m.

NHMS ACT Late Models: Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

White Mountain: Saturday, 5 p.m.

Bear Ridge (Vt.): Saturday, 6 p.m.