Waterford, CT (May 29, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl management announced today the creation of a new position, penalties following Saturday, May 24th’s racing program, and the departure of one member of their staff.
The new position of Race Vehicle Safety Coordinator has been created. The sole responsibility of the newly created position will be overseeing that all cars participating in the Speedbowl’s track race divisions are compliant with track mandated safety regulations. The position will be filled on an interim basis by veteran Speedbowl competitor Bill Leonard. Candidates are currently being sought to fill the position moving forward. The position of Race Vehicle Safety Coordinator will report directly to the Race Director, Patrick Williams.
As a result of inspections during the May 24th race program, SK Modified® division competitors Craig Lutz and Keith Rocco were each fined $500.00 for failure to abide by rule 2.11.5 D of the Speedbowl rulebook. The rule requires the use of wheel tethers on the front wheels of SK Modified® cars.
Continue reading ‘Speedbowl Announces Changes to Personnel, Penalties’
Wins Twice At Bowman Gray; National Champs Gain On Anders
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A veteran of hardscrabble racing at one of the toughest tracks in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series got back in Victory Lane for the first time in two years. This month he shortened the time span between wins from two years to two weeks.
Chris Fleming won modified division features at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., on May 3 and May 17. Last Saturday night’s finishes of fourth and 10th in two 25-lap features lifted him to second in track points. He’s just eight behind leader Burt Myers entering a pair of 100-lap features this weekend.
His win drought at the tight quarter-mile paved oval was taxing.
Continue reading ‘NWAAS Div. I Pts: Fleming Back in the Hunt’
Weekend Info – Touring & Weekly Schedules, Links & Notes
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East heads to historic Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Saturday, May 31. The NASCAR Hall of Fame 150 will be the fourth series event at “The Stadium,” which hosted 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races from 1958-71. NASCAR Next drivers and alumni won the first three visits to the .25-mile asphalt oval, a trend that is likely to continue with six members of the current class and three alumni entered in Saturday’s event.
• The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make its second attempt at the TSI Harley-Davidson 125 at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway when it heads to the half-mile asphalt oval on Friday, May 30. Rain washed out the tour’s first attempt last Friday, but not before Bobby Santos captured the pole award in qualifying, his fourth in the last six qualifying attempts at Stafford. The veteran driver won this race during his 2010 championship season. Friday night’s event will be the second of four at Stafford this season, and the first of two under the lights.
Continue reading ‘PIT STOP: Stock Cars in the Madhouse’
Waterford, CT (May 25, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl returned to action Sunday for Memorial Day Madness, its annual holiday weekend thrill show. Motorized mayhem was on display entertaining the large crowd, capped off by an aerial fireworks display.
Shawn Monahan won the popular fan vote to be declared the winner of a wild Trailer Race. Monahan was one of three competitors that got together on the track and came to rest in the infield in a tangled heap of twisted metal. Dave MacIntosh and Alex Canestrari joined Monahan in trading blows on the track as the final three remaining in competition. After several quality hits the trio found themselves intertwined in turn three, sliding intto a soggy infield where they became stranded. Officials allowed the fans to determine the winner, with Monahan nominated as kind of the trailers after a spirited effort.
Jim Mann was the final competitor standing after the dust and smoke settled following the Demolition Derby. He bested some of the finest full-size land yachts that could be found to the delight of the crowd.
Continue reading ‘Sunday 05/25 Memorial Day Madness Results’
Waterford, CT (May 24, 2014) – Super Saturday Showdown hit the asphalt at Waterford Speedbowl Saturday with a seven-division racing card. A briskly paced program saw Keith Rocco of Berlin take home his third NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® win of the year. In other NASCAR action, a new face found the Valenti Auto Mall Late Model winner’s circle as Vin Esposito of Seymour claimed the checkered flag. Franklin’s Josh Galvin won again in the Street Stocks while Hope Valley, RI driver Garrett Denton was victorious in the Mini Stocks. The Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday divisions were also on hand, with Berlin’s Dave Yardley and New London’s Zac Thomas scoring the respective Super X-Car and X-Car wins. Dylan Izzo of Westport won in the night’s INEX Legend Cars feature.
Rocco was back in Victory Lane in SK Modified® action for the first time since May 3 with an impressive performance. After a false start by the front row on the initial green flag, Shawn Thibeault got the jump over Jeff Gallup on the second try to start the 35-lap race. Gallup settled into second and Rob Janovic Jr. third. The first yellow flag flew when Craig Lutz took a hard hit into the front stretch wall on lap-2 battling for a spot among the top-five cars.
Thibeault resumed his pace out front after the restart, pulling away from the pack. Janovic got past Gallup’s inside to take second and behind that, Tyler Chadwick, Keith Rocco and Ted Christiopher were each on the move, arriving in the top-five cars by lap-7. Rocco found room to Chadwick’s inside in turn one on lap-10 and quickly moved in on Janovic. Rocco pressed him for second, finally using the outside lane to wrestle second away on lap-13. Before another lap could be completed, Morgillo was stopped on the high side of the track in turn two, returning the race to caution.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl 5/24 Super Saturday Showdown Results’
Waterford, CT (May 14, 2014) – Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday racing was back at Waterford Speedbowl with another entertaining night of motorsports landing five drivers into the winner’s circle. Mike Christopher Jr. of Wolcott continued his hot streak in the INEX Legend Cars, Jon Porter of Canterbury took home the Super X-Car accolades and Zac Thomas of New London was awarded the win in the X-Cars. Anthony Marvin of Colchester won for the second time in as many week in the INEX Bandoleros and Dave Gargaro Jr. of Cranston, RI was tops in the night’s Wacky Race.
Christopher rolled to his second consecutive 25-lap INEX Legend Cars victory on Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday and third overall in the division at the Speedbowl this season. The excitement started on lap-1 when Scott Limkemann spun in turn one from mid-pack, looping his machine but kept going allowing the race to continue on . T.J. Thompson took command over Dennis Pantani to lead lap-1.
Thompson led John O’Sullivan Jr. and Christopher, who was up to third in the opening laps. Christopher slipped by O’Sullivan’s inside on lap-5 to move to second and went after Thompson. He spent two laps tailing Thompson before he saw daylight to the leader’s inside exiting turn four on lap-7. Christopher spent a lap and a half battling Thompson for the top spot before pulling ahead.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday 5/14 Results’
Three events in three days at shoreline oval
Waterford, CT (May 22, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl is set to deliver a little of everything to motorsports enthusiasts over the holiday weekend with three exciting events. It begins with a special “Sho & Go at the ‘Bowl” on Friday night offering spectator drag races and a car cruise, moves into a huge Saturday evening of auto racing featuring a special admission price, and closes out on Sunday with motorized thrills and spills at Memorial Day Madness, concluded by an aerial fireworks display.
All-American Night is the holiday theme for “Sho & Go at the ‘Bowl”, the track’s popular Friday night series which features free spectator admission for the grandstands. A car cruise compliments four classes of competition for 100 foot spectator drag racing. Competition Class, Street Class, Bike Class and a special All-American made Shootout celebrating our country will take to the asphalt. Test and tune starts at 6:30pm and Elimination Rounds are scheduled to post just after 8:00pm. Awards for Best in Show and Best American-made entry highlight the Car Cruise, which offers free car entry.
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing joins the track’s popular mid-week Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday racing divisions for the Super Saturday Showdown event, featuring reduced grandstand admission. Adult admission is $12.00 on Saturday and all youth age 14 and under will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The NASCAR SK Modified® division continues a 64-year tradition of open-wheeled racing at the Speedbowl, highlighting a seven-division racing card that also features the Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks and Mini Stocks along with INEX Legend Cars, Super X-Cars and X-Cars from the Wild ‘n Wacky program. Saturday’s racing begins with qualifying races at 5:00pm and main events starting at 7:00pm.
Continue reading ‘Big Memorial Day Weekend planned at Speedbowl’
Waterford, CT (May 17, 2014) – Action returned to the Connecticut shoreline Saturday night as Waterford Speedbowl returned to racing. Six divisions were on hand with repeat winners and new faces both reaching the winner’s circle. Joe Gada of Salem mastered the SK Modified® field, claiming his first win of the year. Joining Gada as new faces in Victory Lane for 2014 were Groton drivers Bruce Thomas Jr., picking up the checkered flag in Valenti Auto Mall Late Model race, and Ray Christian III, winner in the Mini Stocks. Josh Galvin of Franklin won his third Street Stock feature in a row and Corey Barry won his second SK Light Modified race on the year. Mike Christopher Jr. of Wolcott claimed another INEX Legend Cars feature to round out the night’s winners.
Gada was stellar in the night’s 35-lap SK Modified® feature. He started the race from the pole position and left Nichole Morgillo behind exiting turn two. Excitement picked up on the opening lap when several cars made contact down the back chute, sending Shawn Thibeault through the infield but continuing on without a caution flag.
Gada was out to a blistering pace while Ed Puleo quickly moved to second position. Ted Christopher was already up to third and Keith Rocco was charging through the top-ten and was hot on Christopher’s tail in fourth just four laps in. Rocco was not content and immediately looked for racing room on Christopher, making an inside move to jump to third on lap-5. Ahead, Gada stretched his lead on Puleo as Rocco closed in. The battle for second picked up on lap-10 with Rocco all over Puleo. After several laps trying, Rocco could not unseat Puleo for the spot. Christopher was all alone in fourth with Tim Jordan rounding out the top five as the race reached halfway all under the green flag.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl 5/17 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results’
Christopher Garside of Waterford, CT will enter tomorrow’s 50-lap Late Model feature at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, part of a limited schedule for Garside at the 5/8 mile oval. The Late Model 20/20 Sprint will be a segmented race of 20, 20 and 10 laps. It is also Food Bank Night, where fans will receive $2.00 off general admission with the donation of a non-perishable food item.
Garside is eighth in points at Waterford Speedbowl with four top 10s in five events. Garside recorded his best finish of the season, seventh, last Saturday.
“(The) main plans are to try to get a podium finish and hopefully top five in points again,” Garside said. “(I’ve) been getting a bunch of help during offseason and hope to have a faster car since we have learned a lot about setup stuff all year.”
Continue reading ‘Garside Enters Thompson LM 20/20′
Leads Oklahoma Race; Anders Maintains Overall No. 1 Spot
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The decision by Salina (Okla.) Highbanks Speedway to re-configure its NASCAR Whelen All-American Series this year is paying off in the early running for Jeran Frailey.
Frailey won the NASCAR Division II championship at Salina last year in the 360 Modified Division. The dirt modified cars were so abundant that track officials elevated them to NASCAR Division I this year.
Frailey, 31, of Chouteau, Okla., has collected three wins and seven top fives in seven races to take the lead in the track and state point races. He is ranked 27th in this week’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Top 500.
In the national point race, Anthony Anders of Easley, S.C., did not race over the weekend due to rain and track schedules but retained the No. 1 ranking with 518 points. Second-place Dillon Bassett of Winston-Salem, N.C., (402 points) closed ground with a third-place finish behind race winner Austin McDaniel in a 100-lap late model feature at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
Continue reading ‘NWAAS Div. I Pts: Salina’s Frailey Moves Up’
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour rookie Tommy Barrett Jr. will add Late Model racing to his schedule beginning with Saturday’s feature at Waterford Speedbowl. Barrett will drive in all Late Model events that do no conflict with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
The Millis, MA driver finished third in his Late Model debut driving the #27 Butler’s Auto Body car for Ted Butler.
“It was a lot of fun,” Barrett said. “Not nearly as much grip but also less horsepower. (You) can bump and bang a little more. I look forward to this weekend.”
Continue reading ‘Barrett Makes Waterford Late Model Plans’
Waterford, CT (May 10, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl returned to fast paced motorsports action Saturday night with a six-division NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing program. Kyle James of Ashaway, RI snatched his first victory of the year in SK Modified® ranks. Keith Rocco of Berlin won his fifth straight Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature on the season and Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon continued his mastery of the Mini Stock division. Andover’s Paul French won his first SK Light Modified race on the year and Paul Bigelow of Kensington came away with the victory in the NEMA Lite feature. Josh Galvin of Franklin won the night’s Street Stock race, his second in a row.
An emotional opening ceremony began the night’s program following a brief rain delay earlier in the evening. The track honored the memory of multiple time track champion Danny Field with much of his family and closest supporters in attendance. Field, a long time Mini Stock competitor at the Speedbowl, passed away Wednesday after battling cancer. He won Speedbowl Mini Stock titles in 2005, 2006 and 2009 and posted 28 career victories at the track and was active at the track through 2013. Field’s younger brother Eddie paced the Mini Stocks with an honorary pole-position behind the wheel of his brother’s #18 machine, pulling off the track before the start of the race.
Cassidy went on to claim an emotional win in the 25-lap Mini Stock feature that followed. He took the lead from Dave Trudeau of Mansfield on lap-6. Cassidy, who has 54 career races at the track in the division, has won several big races but ranked Saturday’s win among his most memorable. After the race, Cassidy reflected on his achievement and contributed some of his successes, in part, to Field. “(The win) means a lot. Danny was a tough competitor. I think (racing against him) made me a better driver.” After dueling with Field for years, Cassidy won a national championship in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in 2010 and has been a dominant driver in the division. Trudeau finished Saturday’s race in second and Garrett Denton of Hope Valley, RI was third.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl 5/10 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results’
Waterford Speedbowl management announced Thursday multi-time track champion and feature winner Danny Field passed away Wednesday after a battle with cancer. Field, of Deep River, was 56.
Field competed at the Speedbowl for more than three decades enjoying a sport he was extremely passionate about. An accomplished racer, Field won three track championships in the NASCAR Mini Stock division along with numerous races behind the wheel of his familiar red #18 racecar.
“Danny was a racer that many looked up to” Speedbowl owner and promoter Terry Eames said in a statement Thursday. “He was very good at winning races, but, more importantly, he was a gentleman and a family man. The entire Speedbowl community mourns his loss”.
Continue reading ‘Former Champion Danny Field Passes Away’
All of us here at the NEMST hold heavy hearts this morning as we have lost one of our own. As many of our competitors and fans know Danny Field, the 2012 NEMST Champion, began a fight against liver cancer last September. I spoke with him at Race-A-Rama and he was doing everything he could to win the battle for his life. Last night Danny passed away from the liver cancer. Danny was a true friend and competitor who was always a great man to have in the pit area. We offer his family our deepest condolences from all of the staff, competitors, and fans here at the NEMST only a small part of the racing family he has grown over the years.
Rest In Peace and Godspeed Danny Field. 2005, 2006, 2009 Waterford Champion. 2008, 2011 Thompson Champion. 2012 NEMST Champion.
We have decided to make our upcoming event and second round of the Thirty Marketing CT Triple Crown at Waterford Speedbowl on May 31st the Danny Field Memorial 50 Lap Feature. Please come to Waterford for their four-cylinder-fury night and honor the legacy Danny has left on all of us. We will be accepting donations for the family through this hard time.
In the mean time check out this tribute video put together by our friends over at Sid’s View, Danny Field Tribute
Continue reading ‘R.I.P Danny Field, 2012 NEMST Champion’
Waterford, CT (May 7, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl hosted its opening Wild ‘n Wacky series racing card of the year Wednesday evening. A quick paced and fiercely competitive night of motorsports entertained a hearty crowd that turned out. There were no opening night jitters for Mike Christopher Jr. of Wolcott, who used a thrilling final lap move to checker the INEX Legend Cars feature. Hometown driver Dan Butler came out on top in the Super X-Car feature, Rich Nye of Stonington won his first-ever race in the night’s X-Car feature and Groton’s Marc Shafer won the Wacky Toll Booth Race. The INEX Bandolero feature was won by Jonathon Puleo of Branford.
Christopher showed patience over the first half of the 25-lap INEX Legend Cars feature then came on strong in the closing stages. Michael Blaskey and Christopher were on the front row to begin the race. A false start on the initial green flag resulted in a second attempt, which saw Blaskey take control after Christopher battled him for the opening lap. Veteran driver and former champion George Whitney slid underneath Christopher to take second on lap-2. Whitney got past Blaskey on lap-3 to become the second leader of the race.
As Whitney led, he benefitted by an intense battle for second position over the middle of the race between Blaskey and Christopher. The pair traded the spot as Christopher tried numerous times to unseat Blaskey’s hold of the runner-up position. Behind them, T.J. Thompson held down fourth and defending series champion Joey Ternullo completed the top-five. Thompson dropped off the pace after looking strong and retired to the infield, bumping John O’Sullivan Jr. into a top-five position.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday 5/7 Results’
S.C. Driver Assumes National Lead In First Standings Release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season hits high gear this week with a new national point leader.
Anthony Anders, of Easley, S.C., leads the debut of the 2014 weekly points standings updates. The 43-year-old displaces fellow pavement late model driver and two-time defending national champion Lee Pulliam from the No. 1 spot.
Pulliam led the weekly points for 29 consecutive competition weeks. His reign began nearly 22 months ago when he took the top spot from C.E. Falk III on July 17, 2012. Pulliam opens the 2014 season in fourth.
NATIONAL TOP 500 STANDINGS | STATE/PROVINCE TOP 20 STANDINGS
Continue reading ‘NWAAS Div. I Points: Anders Takes Over’
Waterford, CT (May 3, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl fought Mother Nature with a six division racing card on Saturday night. Josh Galvin of Franklin took top honors as he scored the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Street Stock Showdown race, an extra-distance event for the division shortened by rain. Keith Rocco of Berlin continued his hot streak in the Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, winning for the fourth time in as many events on the season. Rocco won his first SK Modified® race of the year following a brief rain delay, picking up the victory after an exciting late race battle. Ken Cassidy Jr. of Lisbon was back in Victory Lane following the Mini Stock race and Randy Churchill of Oakdale checkered the SK Light Modified feature. Quaker Hill’s Jordan Hadley won his first career race in the X-Car division.
The 35-lap SK Modified® feature was another down to the wire involving Rocco. He battled Tim Jordan for the final fifteen laps before taking the lead with a power move to Jordan’s inside on lap-32. The last time the division raced two weeks ago, Rocco settled for second after a spirited duel with Tyler Chadwick over the second half of the race. Against Jordan he didn’t settle.
The race was brought to the green flag with Nichole Morgillo and Joe Gada on the front row. Gada took the lead outside of Morgillo to lead lap-1 and held the top spot until the first caution flag waved on lap-4 when Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. spun off the front chute into a soggy infield.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl 5/3 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results’
Mother nature was the only winner in the New England Truck Series this weekend. Weather conditions at the Waterford Speedbowl forced the third race of the 2014 season to be rescheduled. NETS will return to Waterford on June 28th.
The New England Truck Series is back in action on May 10th, when the series makes its first visit of the season to Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire. Roger Turbush (101) is the current series point leader, holding a slim 1 point margin over defending series champion Duane Noll (100). Chris Turbush (97) stands in third, followed by former series champions Andy Lindeman (93), and Chris Correll (90). Jason Lafayette (89) and Mike Parker (96) have started the season strong with top 10 finishes in each race and lurk just outside the top 5.
For more information on NETS, visit www.newenglandtruckseries.com or follow the series via www.facebook.com/newenglandtruckseries.
Sources:Lorraine Pard/NETS PR
Waterford, CT (April 26, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl cancelled its NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing program scheduled for Saturday, April 26 due to damp weather forecasted throughout the evening. Action returns to the shoreline oval next Saturday, May 3 with a six-division NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program. The 50-lap Street Stock Showdown event, originally scheduled for April 26, will take center stage on May 3. The visiting New England Truck Series race scheduled for April 26 has been added to the June 28 race program.
The 50-lap extra-distance Street Stock Showdown event joins the regularly scheduled races for the SK Modified®, Valenti Auto Mall Late Model, Mini Stock, SK Light Modified and INEX Legend Cars divisions on May 3. Next Saturday’s event kicks off a busy stretch for the Speedbowl as two returning event nights are added to its weekly lineup in May.
Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday, featuring $8 adult grandstand admission and free youth grandstand admission for ages 14 and under, hits the track for its 14th season on Wednesday, May 7. On the heels of the affordable mid-week event night, Sho & Go at the ‘Bowl returns on Friday, May 9 with free grandstand admission for all attendees for 100 foot spectator drag racing plus car cruise show. A special test and tune session for drag racing competitors is scheduled for Friday, May 2. Spectator grandstands will be closed.
Continue reading ‘Speedbowl Cancels 4/26 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Program to Weather’
Nick Salva of Prospect, CT will return to the SK Light Modifieds at Stafford Motor Speedway. The driver of the #98 J.G. Poulin Drywall car hopes that the NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler is the start of a career year.
“(The) plans for this year are to make a great run at the championship,” Salva said. “The way we stand right now, we have some backing and hope to run a full year, as long as no big problems happen, but the main objective for this year is to win some races and hopefully be in a great spot to run for the championship.”
Salva will also run the World Series at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park and possibly the season finale at Waterford Speedbowl. Salva would like to expand his schedule, but will focus on Stafford with only one car to use.
Continue reading ‘Nick Salva Ready for Victory Lane, Title Bid at Stafford’
Waterford, CT (April 19, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl returned to racing action Saturday night with an action packed six division race program. Taking victories in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing events included Tyler Chadwick of Ledyard, who came away with a well-earned triumph in the SK Modified® division. Berlin’s Keith Rocco won his third consecutive Valenti Auto Mall Late Model feature to begin the year while Corey Barry of Plainfield nailed a victory in the SK Light Modified ranks. Second generation racer Mike Christopher Jr. of Wolcott took his first victory in the night’s INEX Legend Cars race. Al Stone of Durham was awarded the victory in the Street Stock event and Christopher Ivory of Oakdale was credited with his first-ever victory in the Mini Stock division.
Chadwick worked hard during his run to victory in the 35-lap SK Modified® race. After he assumed control on lap-12 from Agawam’s Jeff Gallup, he held back a charging Keith Rocco over the final 17 laps in an entertaining high speed duel. Nichole Morgillo led the field to the green flag with her pole starting position as Gallup lined up to her outside. The two drag raced on the opening lap side-by-side with Gallup leading by a nose at the completion of lap-1.
The top cars eventually singled out and Gallup led Morgillo, Chadwick, Rob Janovic Jr. and Ted Christopher over the opening laps. They ran in order until lap-8 when Christopher pulled out of line and challenged Janovic for fourth. Christopher spent two laps working the outside of the track before he prevailed to take the spot and began to test the outside of Chadwick. Just ahead of them Morgillo got crossed up in turn four on lap-11 and slid off the track to the infield, coming to rest on the racing surface at the exit of turn four to bring out the first of two caution flags in the race.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl 4/19 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results’
Waterford, CT (April 13, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl’s Blastoff Weekend continued Sunday with the final six races of the event card being completed. Keith Rocco of Berlin dominated the day, turning in a memorable performance as he took a victory in all three events he entered. He reached the winner’s circle in the Valenti Modified Racing Series season opening race, joining his triumphs in the Speedbowl’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® and Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model divisions to tie a 54-year old track record for number of victories in a single day. Other race wins on Sunday went to Josh Galvin of Franklin in the Street Stock race and Ian Brew of Wood River Junction in the Mini Stocks, while Avery Stoehr of Lakeville, MA continued a family tradition of winning in the Northeastern Midget Association feature.
Rocco from green to checkered flags in the 100-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature, the popular New England based open-wheel touring division. Rocco was pushed over the first half of the race by rival Ted Christopher. Christopher, from Plainville, moved to second place on lap-22 and pressed Rocco into a fast pace until he lost an engine in his car on lap-42. That put oil down on the speedway and triggered a big wreck behind Rocco, collecting many of the top-ten cars behind.
Former Speedbowl driver Chris Pasteryak was able to steer clear of the wreckage and keep pace with Rocco over the second half of the race, however was unable to mount a serious challenge. Rocco navigated lapped traffic over the final twenty laps and survived a final restart on lap-84 to take the win. Pasteryak finished the race with a solid second place effort while Todd Szegedy rebounded from getting caught up in the lap-42 melee to finish third. Keith’s brother Jeff Rocco finished fourth and Max Zachem was fifth. All but Szegedy began their racing careers at the Speedbowl.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl Blastoff Weekend Results’
WATERFORD, CT — Chris Turbush held off a charging Duane Noll to take the checkers at the Waterford Speedbowl in the second event of the New England Truck Series season. Duane Noll finished second, followed by Alan Coates, Roger Turbush, and Chris Correll.
Alan Coates brought the field down to the green flag and held the early lead, but Chris Turbush moved from his sixth starting position into second by lap 5. Caution for a spin by DJ McGouran would bunch the field up on lap 12, allowing Turbush to challenge Alan Coates for the lead on the restart. Turbush would battle side by side with Coates through two more cautions, but was able to get the advantage each time. Duane Noll mounted a charge late in the event, snatching second away from Coates with three to go, but ran out of time to catch Turbush. Coates finished third, followed by last week’s winner Roger Turbush. Chris Correll recovered from a mid-race spin to finish fifth.
Defending series champion Duane Noll will be in the series point lead when The New England Truck Series returns to action at Waterford Speedbowl in two weeks. For more on NETS, visit www.newenglandtruckseries.com or www.facebook.com/newenglandtruckseries.
Continue reading ‘Chris Turbush Wins at Waterford Speedbowl’
Waterford, CT (April 12, 2014) – Stock car racing returned to the Connecticut shoreline Saturday as Waterford Speedbowl hosted hundreds of racers for its annual Budweiser Blastoff event, part of a two-day blockbuster of racing. In total 13 race divisions saw action on the three-eighths mile oval, with seven feature races run Saturday evening. Rick Williams of Haddam scored a first-ever victory in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Light Modified race. Westport’s Dylan Izzo continued his domination of the INEX Legend Cars division winning for the second straight week while Zach Thomas of New London and Jon Porter of Canterbury won for consecutive weeks in the X-Car and Super X-Cars, respectively. In touring series races, P.J. Stergios of Candia, NH won the NEMA Lite feature and Chris Turbush of Riverhead, NY won the New England Truck Series race. Oakdale’s Derek Debbis checkered the INEX Bandolero feature for the youth racing class.
Williams ran strong in the 25-lap SK Light Modified race to capture his first career win, which ran from green-to-checkered flags without incident. Williams has competed in the division for five seasons at Stafford Motor Speedway. Larry Goss got the jump over Williams at the start of the race, leading the opening eight laps. Williams raced close behind while Corey Barry and Randy Churchill were also in the mix.
The top-four cars raced tightly when Williams pulled out of line and went to the outside of Goss. He seized control and began to pull ahead as Barry worked outside Goss to move into second position on lap-10. Churchill was not far behind and followed suit to third place a lap later as the field was well spaced around the speedway. Further back, former division champion Paul French was moving up from his scratch starting position.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl Budweiser Blastoff Saturday 4/12 Results’
13-divisions racing in event
Waterford, CT (April 11, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl opens its gates this Saturday and Sunday welcoming hundreds of racecars and thousands of fans for its annual Blastoff Weekend event. The show marks the shoreline oval’s 64th consecutive season of operation and gives race fans a taste of the speed and excitement the track has in store for 2014. In total thirteen race divisions will provide the on-track entertainment at Blastoff with qualifying races plus seven main events Saturday evening. The remaining six feature races take place on Sunday highlighted by a 100-lap race for the Valenti Modified Racing Series. Blastoff Weekend was originally scheduled for March 30 & 31 but had to be rescheduled due to wet weather.
The popular Valenti Modified Racing Series and Northeastern Midget Association, both long-standing race series rich in history in New England, each begin their 2014 seasons at Blastoff. The New England Truck Series will also visit plus all the Speedbowl’s regular racing divisions from its NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday racing series round out the weekend’s card.
Blastoff Weekend gets underway early Saturday when the pit gates open for race teams at 7:30am. Practice rounds commence at 9:00am, with spectator grandstands opening at 11:30am. Qualifying races will set the feature race lineups for all 13-divisions Saturday and go to post at 2:30pm, including for the Valenti Modified Racing Series which expects a large turnout of racers. Feature races are scheduled to begin at 5:00pm.
Continue reading ‘Blastoff Weekend at Speedbowl Saturday and Sunday’
Published at April 10, 2014
in Lee USA, Martinsville, Monadnock, NASCAR WA-AS, NASCAR WMT, Orange County, Riverhead, Seekonk, Stafford, Star, Thompson, VMRS and Waterford.
High Expectations for Icebreaker Winner
Change is good for Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, NY, who began the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season in victory lane. The Icebreaker was his second victory at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for Ken Massa’s M3 Technology team. Bonsignore led three times for 14 laps, including the final eight circuits. He bested Coors Light Pole Award winner Woody Pitkat and former champion Doug Coby for the victory. Long Islanders Timmy Solomito and Eric Goodale rounded out the top five.
“That was wild,” Bonsignore said. “I hope everybody enjoyed it. If they didn’t enjoy that I don’t know what they’re going to post on Facebook but great car. Oh my God. I was hoping I wasn’t going to be the guy to mess it up the last 25 laps. I knew I had a little bit better car.”
“He’s (Pitkat) going to win his fair share of them,” Bonsignore said. “Hopefully we go back and forth this year … He had a great car. I knew he was going to be the guy we had to beat. They tested here last week. Everybody said they were real quick. They showed it all weekend that they were real quick. They were a tick off on their pit stop and we were just a tick better and that’s all it took. The competition is so close you guys can see it. Just drove my butt off and was able to get it done.”
Continue reading ‘Dual Threat: Bonsignore Takes on NASCAR WMT & VMRS Competition’
Waterford, CT (April 5, 2014) – Waterford Speedbowl opened its 64th consecutive season of racing Saturday evening with a seven division NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program. Chilly weather greeted fans in attendance but the action on the track was hot as a first-time winner emerged in the SK Modified® ranks. Ed Puleo held off all challengers including a late rally by defending division champion Keith Rocco. Puleo made it two wins on the night by also picking up the Street Stock victory. Rocco would not be outdone in the Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, scoring the win. Another first-timer found the winner’s circle in the Mini Stocks as Doug Curry took a popular victory. Jon Porter and Zach Thomas won the night’s Super X-Car and X-Car divisions respectively, and defending Legend Cars champion Dylan Izzo checkered that division’s opening race of the year.
The 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® feature was brought to the green flag by Puleo and Craig Lutz. The pair had some opening jitters with two false starts delaying things before a clean third attempt. The opening two laps pitted the two in a side-by-side battle with Puleo able to seize command. Caution quickly flew on lap-2 when Rocco, the defending track champion, went spinning down the front stretch from his mid-pack starting position. Everyone narrowly avoided missing Rocco including former Legend Cars standout and newcomer Paul Kusheba who spun to avoid Rocco, kicking up moisture onto the racing surface in turn one causing a clean-up.
Lutz got away from Puleo on the restart, using the outside lane as Puleo tip-toed through speedi-dry left behind in the racing groove from the caution period. Great racing was on display throughout the field over the next four laps as competitors felt out their cars in the early going. Ted Christopher was trying to march to the front using the outside lane, however he got into the back chute wall on lap-7. The contact caused enough damage to send Christopher spinning in turn four for the second caution flag of the race and sidelined him for the night.
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl 4/5 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Results’
Dave Dykes, whose “Racing Through Time” website has become a Mecca for the growing number of auto racing nostalgia buffs, will be one of six John Wentworth Good Sport honorees at the Connecticut Sportswriters Alliance Gold Key Dinner Sunday, April 27 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, CT.
The award is named after long-time New Britain Herald Sports Editor John Wentworth. Each year the Alliance awards six people who have provided a service to the sporting public. “Racing Through Time” is one of New England’s most popular sites.
“A Labor of Love,” according to Dykes, it is the culmination of a lifetime of collecting historic auto racing photographs.
Continue reading ‘High Honors for Dykes’
Phil Evans of Old Saybrook, CT is looking for consistency this season at Waterford Speedbowl. The driver of the #12 Street Stock will be competing at the 3/8 mile oval full-time, with up to two races at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park added. “Like every year, I concentrate on wins,” Evans said. “I’d like to top last year. Also run consistently in the top five.”
Evans finished fifth in points with two wins, 10 top fives, and 17 top 10s in 21 starts last season. He had four top fives in his last five starts.
“I think we came out a little behind,” Evans said. “I missed three races because of an injury, but the second half of the year I think we were the most consistent. The car handled great and that helped the motor. I’m hoping that consistency continues to this year. At the beginning of last year we couldn’t find a setup I liked.”
Continue reading ‘Phil Evans Wants to Maintain Momentum’
Former Legends Car and SK Light Modified® driver Troy Talman of Oxford, MA will be moving up to the SK Modifieds this season. The team acquired the former Rob Walendy Valenti Modified Racing Series car that Richard Savary drove. He will compete in a limited schedule at Stafford Motor Speedway (#33) and all events at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (#3). While B&G Toys and Trains, DCU, M&M Auto Body, Max’s Motor Sales, Harvest Moon Health Foods of Putnam, and NAPA of Ayer will provide sponsorship, Talman is looking for additional funding.
The car will feature a new red paint scheme over his familiar white and blue. The car will have a Billy the Kid engine and Magnus transmission. Talman mentioned Tom Cunningham and Paul Tremblay for their help.
Talman won his first SK Light Modified race at Stafford last season as a rookie. Talman finished third in points with one win, 9 top fives, and 15 top tens in 18 starts. “Last year at Stafford was a great learning year for me driving and my dad setting the car up,” Talman said. “Our expectations this year is to be fast right out of the gate at the Icebreaker and bring the car home with a solid finish.”
Continue reading ‘Talman on the Move to SK Modifieds® at Stafford & Thompson; VMRS Ride in the Works’
