New London-Waterford Speedbowl Thursday Night Thunder 7/23 Results
Waterford, CT (July 23, 2015) – New London-Waterford Speedbowl was back in action Thursday evening under ideal summer weather with another mid-week motorsports racing card. Todd Taylor of North Stonington led the way with a career first victory, picking up the night’s eight cylinder Super X-Car feature win. Michael Blaskey of Waterbury won his fourth INEX Legend Cars race of the Thursday season, Nickolas Hovey of Chaplin recorded another INEX Bandolero triumph, and Eric Finkbein Jr. of Manchester was the four cylinder X-Car race winner.
Taylor recorded his first-ever win by romping over the Super X-Car field in the division’s 25-lap main event. He moved to the lead on the opening lap after beginning the race in second, and quickly distanced himself from the competition. One caution flag on lap-9 slowed Taylor’s roll, but once the green flag returned he picked up where he left off. He went on to a convincing win over Brian Norman, and point leader Marc Shafer.
Blaskey checkered his second INEX Legend Cars race in a row and fourth of the year after turning in a dominating performance. He quickly made his way to the front of the field in the 25-lapper, passing a former division champion in Joey Ternullo for the lead before the race was five laps in. Blaskey showed the way comfortably through the only caution flag in the event, which came for a spin on lap-18. He bested Mikey Flynn on the restart and held back a charging Jordan Churchill to claim the win. Churchill was second and Flynn was third. With the victory, Blaskey unofficially took over the lead in the championship point standings from Churchill in a tight battle.
Hovey wired the field in the night’s 20-lap INEX Bandolero feature. The race was not without its share of tense moments, as the top five cars ran in a tight formation for much of the race in a high-speed chess match. Hovey withstood heavy pressure from Ethan Simmons, then held back Ethan Durocher over the final two laps. Durocher found his way to the inside of Simmons late in the race and was able to get to Hovey’s rear bumper, but could not pull alongside over the final lap. Durocher was second and Simmons finished third.
Finkbein marched to a 25-lap X-Car feature win with an impressive performance. Eddie Loomis was the early leader and built up a cushion out front as Finkbein led a host of drivers to the front through a pack of cars. Finkbein emerged in second position and ran down Loomis, overtaking him on the outside of the track on lap-13. Christopher Thomas chased Finkbein throughout, but was never able to seriously threaten for the victory. The race ran from start to finish without incident. Thomas was second, and Wayne Shifflett finished third.
On Saturday, the Speedbowl returns to NASCAR racing with Nostalgia Night. Vintage racing groups will exhibit and race on the three-eighths mile shoreline oval, giving fans a treat and look into decades past with some of their favorite Modified and Midget racecars over the years. That joins a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing card which includes the SK Modifieds®, Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Mini Stock and SK Light Modified racing divisions. Racing begins at 5:30pm. Detailed event information is available online at Speedbowl.com.
Unofficial New London-Waterford Speedbowl Thursday Night Thunder 7/23 Results:
INEX Legend Cars (25-laps): 1. Michael Blaskey, Waterbury; 2. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon; 3. Cornelius Flynn, Hampden, MA; 4. Cory Dimatteo, Farmington; 5. Andrew Molleur, Shelton; 6. Kyle Rogers, Waterbury; 7. Connor Holderbach, Wolcott; 8. Joey Ternullo, Middletown; 9. Dennis Pantani, Branford; 10. Allan Pedersen, Center Moriches, NY; 11. Cassandra Cole, Westbrook; 12. Joshua Zentek, East Haven; 13. David Lespinasse, Milford; 14. John O’Sullivan III, Salem; 15. Caterina LaBella, Plainville; 16. Artie Pedersen III, Center Moriches, NY
INEX Bandoleros (20-laps): 1. Nickolas Hovey, Chaplin; 2. Ethan Durocher, Plainfield; 3. Ethan Simmons, Pawcatuck; 4. Hailey Desaulniers, Windham; 5. Anthony Marvin, Colchester; 6. Andrew Morin, Old Saybrook; 7. Nicholas Oloski, Salem
X-Cars (25-laps): 1. Eric Finkbein Jr., Manchester; 2. Christopher Thomas, Waterford; 3. Wayne Shifflett, Preston; 4. C.P. Burdick, Deep River; 5. Eddie Loomis, Plainfield; 6. Bruce Sperry, Waterford; 7. Christopher Lee, Waterford; 8. William Rheaume, Uncasville; 9. Randy Johnston, Westerly, RI; 10. Richard Mollo, Seymour; 11. Chuck McDonald, Groton; 12. Michael Olsen, Deep River; 13. Craig Tavernier, Moosup; 14. Tom Sheehan, Baltic; 15. Rick Majcher, Taftville; 16. David Gargaro Jr., Cranston, RI; 17. Andrew Lee, New London; 18. Steven Olsen, Essex
Super X-Cars (25-laps): 1. Todd Taylor, North Stonington; 2. Brian Norman, Clinton; 3. Marc Shafer, Groton; 4. Bo Norman, Clinton; 5. Kevin Moon, Exeter, RI; 6. Ray Reed, Norwich; 7. Frank Alessio, Colchester; 8. Jaysin Beal, Ledyard; 9. Ray Phillips, Canterbury; 10. Eric Finkbein Sr., 11. James Maher, Beacon Falls; 12. Don Berge, Uncasville; 13. Scott Bellisle, Wauregan
Sources: Mike Serluca/New London-Waterford Speedbowl PR