WATERFORD – The New London-Waterford Speedbowl closed out its 2016 racing season with 14-feature racing card Sunday as part of the Bemers Big Show that began last weekend.
Saturday’s events were leftover from a rained out session on Oct. 22 at the track.
The day was highlighted with championships being awarded in four of the track’s regular weekly divisions.
Continue reading ‘New London-Waterford Speedbowl Crowns Champions in Season Finale’
2016 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Doug Coby charged from the sixth starting position in his Bertrand Motorsports #74 entry, after a side by side battle with teammate Todd Bertrand en route to his second Northeastern Midget Association win of the season Sunday evening at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. In the Lites division, Jim Chambers sliced his way through the pack, and dominated the second half of the feature en route to victory and the 2016 Lites championship.
The story of the evening, however, revolved around the tight NEMA points battle between Randy Cabral and John Zych. Cabral came into the event with a thirteen point lead, and extended that to seventeen after NEMA’s time trial qualifying on Sunday afternoon. As the NEMA cars were staging, Cabral was participating in the Pro Four Modified feature event, as he also had at the Sunoco World Series, finishing second the previous weekend. Cabral’s car came to a stop in turn two with handling issues, and was unfortunately hit extremely hard in the driver’s door. After extricating him from the top of the vehicle, he was transported to a local hospital, later deemed to have broken ribs, a concussion, and bruising.
The NEMA feature would go on, with Zych locking up the Driver’s Championship by virtue of starting the feature. Joey Payne, who was quickly fitted into the Bertrand 47, would start at the tail of the field. When the green flag flew, Todd Bertrand would jump out into the lead from the pole, and was followed by Seth Carlson in the Feigel #71. Further back, teammate Doug Coby in the Bertrand #74, was using the high line to slice his way to the front. Coby was second by lap three when the caution flew for a Bethany Stoehr spin in turn four.
Continue reading ‘Coby, J. Chambers Take Down NEMA Wins in Bemer’s Big Show at Speedbowl’
WATERFORD, Conn. — When qualifying was scraped at Bemer’s Big Show because of rain, Dave Farrington was a little bit frustrated.
He had originally drawn the pole position for the second Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) heat race, but he ended up having to start in 29th position because the field was set by owner points for the 75 lap season finale.
When it was all set and done, Farrington was celebrating in victory lane on Saturday night after capturing his first GSPSS victory of the season.
Continue reading ‘Dave Farrington Goes From Last To First To Win Waterford; Barry Gray Clinches 2016 Championship’
WATERFORD, Conn. — Matt “Money” Hirschman lived up to his name once again on Sunday night at New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
He took down the victory in the $5,000 to win NorthEast Race Cars Tri-Track Open Modified Series feature event and with the win, he locked up the 2016 championship.
“It worked out really well, we had a good starting spot,” Hirschman said. “The car really responded well to the start of the race and that was important because the cars we would have had to contend with had to start further in the back of the pack.”
Continue reading ‘Matt Hirschman Banks $5,000 & Scores Tri Track Championship at New London-Waterford Speedbowl’
WALPOLE, N.H. — After an enduring season of racing across the New England region, the Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) is set to crown the 2016 champion this Saturday, Oct. 22., at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
The 3/8 mile Shoreline oval will play host to the Super Late Model Series in a 75 lap main event that will decide a championship battle that currently has two veterans at the top.
Belchertown, Mass. driver Barry Gray holds a 26 point advantage over Conway, N.H. native D.J. Shaw, who was also recently crowned the PASS champion for 2016. Gray has little experience at the Speedbowl, but is hoping to seal the deal in his No. 29. Though he is not a GSPSS champion, Gray has won championships in racing before.
Continue reading ‘Granite State Pro Stocks To Finish 2016 at New London-Waterford Speedbowl’
WALPOLE, N.H. — Heading into the final Granite State Pro Stock Series race of the 2016 season at New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Oct. 22, the championship fight has come down to two drivers.
Belchertown, Massachusetts native Barry Gray currently holds a 26 point advantage over Conway, New Hampshire driver D.J. Shaw. Both are veterans of Super Late Model racing in New England and both have won championships before.
Gray, who knows all he will need to do is have a solid finish at the Speedbowl next weekend to clinch the crown, still isn’t extremely happy with the way his season has gone.
Over the course of the first nine Granite State Pro Stock Series races in 2016, drivers have been chasing more than $26,000 in contingency awards.
Now, with just one race remaining, some of the season long bonus award winners will be decided at the season finale at New London-Waterford Speedbowl on Saturday, October 22.
Without the help of multiple businesses, the series would just not be able to provide all of the extra incentives. Drivers have been chasing extra cash and awards for just about everywhere in the finishing order during each event.
Continue reading ‘GSPSS Drivers Hoping to Collect Bonus Awards at Speedbowl Finale’
Concord, N.C. — The U.S. Legends Cars Asphalt Nationals will return to Speed51.com powered by JEGS this weekend for the second straight year. Speed51.com will air the Legends Nationals on a pay-per-view basis live from Connecticut’s New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
While the drivers are battling for important points towards the INEX national championship, fans, family, and friends at home will be able to watch all of the action live on Speed51 TV through pay-per-view video broadcasts on Friday and Saturday.
Speed51.com will showcase both days of the Legends Nationals on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8. Each day can be purchased for $21.99 by clicking here.
Continue reading ‘Legends Asphalt Nationals to Air Live from Waterford on Speed51 TV’
Five Whelen All-American Series National Champions Crowned
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Matt Bowling spent the entire season being chased by some of the best short-track racers in North America.
In the end, nobody could catch him.
The 22-year-old from Ridgeway, Virginia, culminated his incredible run with a third Late Model Stock Car championship at Virginia’s South Boston Speedway last Saturday night. The laurels continued during the week, as Bowling was officially announced as 2016 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion.
“This year’s championship was one of the most exciting and closely contested in NASCAR history,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president of touring & weekly series. “The championship came down to contenders from three different regions of the country, and came down to the very last weekend. On behalf of the France family and NASCAR, we are proud to have Matt Bowling as the 2016 champion. We look forward to presenting his trophy and his NASCAR championship ring and all his accolades at the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards in Charlotte in December.”
Bowling also earned his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Virginia championship, by virtue of his success at South Boston, Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, and Dominion Raceway in Thornburg.
WATERFORD –Matt Galko had a restart he’ll never forget, enabling him to have a night he’ll never forget.
“It was the restart of my life,” Galko said after he exploded past Joe Gada on a 19th lap restart to win the 35-lap SK Modified feature at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. It was Galko’s first-ever SK Modified win.
“We have been trying for an SK win for a long time and it finally paid off,” Galko said. “I never thought the first win would take place here at the Speedbowl. To do it with a part-time crew is amazing. I can’t thank them enough.”
Continue reading ‘New London-Waterford Speedbowl Results 09/10/2016’
WATERFORD – Tyler Chadwick and Keith Rocco picked up victories in the premier SK Modified features Saturday night at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Rocco also won the Late Model feature. Cory DiMatteo won the SK Light Modified feature. Chris Meyer scored the victory in the Limited Sportsman feature. Charles Canfield won the Mini Stock feature.
Chadwick, of Ledyard, got his third victory of the season in the first 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature.
Continue reading ‘Chadwick & Rocco Score SK Modified Twin Features at New London-Waterford’
WATERFORD — Keith Rocco has enjoyed many amazing accomplishments during his 12-year career at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. His accomplishments on Saturday, however, may be at the top of the list.
Rocco won all three races in which he was entered — two Late Model features and a 35-lap SK Modified feature — to highlight Saturday’s eight-division program at the Speedbowl.
There were two national qualifying races for the U.S. Legends cars. Eddie Fatscher of Eastport N.Y. was the winner in the completion of the first 50-lap feature, which was suspended by rain Thursday after 17 laps. Austin Green of Concord, N.C. dominated the second 50-lap feature.
Continue reading ‘Rocco Records Three Wins in One Night at New London-Waterford’
NEMA and the NEMA Lites were on tap at last Saturday’s Wings & Wheels event at the New-London Waterford Speedbowl, as part of a winged card that included the TQ midgets, the ISMA Supermodifieds and the VMRS. John Zych Jr. passed five time NEMA champion Randy Cabral at the halfway marker to take down the NEMA feature, and PJ Stergios charged through the field to take down the Lites victory.
In the NEMA feature, Paul Scally and Bethany Stoehr brought the field to the green. From his fifth starting spot, Randy Cabral rocketed into the lead on lap two. Cabral would begin to stretch out his lead, but further back in the pack, John Zych Jr. and reigning NASCAR Whelen Modified Champ Doug Coby were slicing their way through the pack.
Zych took over the second spot on lap six, and began a run after Cabral that ended after a four lap side by side duel on lap fifteen, just after the halfway marker. Coby then took his aim for Cabral, but only ever made it to within two carlengths. Zych went on to take down an impressive victory, and evaded a last lap wreck that took out some of the top points runners, including Jim Chambers. Cabral would finish second, followed by Seth Carlson, as Coby’s machine expired with a broken brake caliper on the last lap. Avery Stoehr was fourth, followed by Paul Scally, Bethany Stoehr, Doug Coby, Jim Santa Maria, Kevin Park and Danny Cugini.
Continue reading ‘Zych, Stergios Triumph in NEMA’s Wings & Wheels’
Waterford, CT – Valenti Modified Racing Series hot-shoe Jon McKennedy, despite slapping the wall during a lap-32 pileup, notched his fifth win of the season Saturday night, August 6, at the annual Wings & Wheels event at New London-Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, CT.
The 100-lap event was part of the speedways annual ‘Open Wheel’ special.
McKennedy started sixth in a 29-car field, took the lead on lap-72, and went to his third victory at the famed Connecticut speedway. The win strengthened the East Chelmsford, Massachusetts’ drivers point lead, and moved him to second on the all-time VMRS win list with 20 victories. Kirk Alexander is the all-time series winner with 31 visits to victory lane.
Pole-sitter Woody Pitkat, of Sturbridge, MA, led the first 32-laps when the race had to be stopped for a 17-car pileup resulting in an almost 15-minute delay while speedway personnel cleared the track of debris and damaged race cars.
Continue reading ‘McKennedy Wins Wild Wings and Wheels VMRS Race’
WATERFORD – Jon McKennedy held off Richard Savary to win the 100-lap Valenti Modified Racing feature in the main event of Saturday’s Wings & Wheels program at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series was part of seven feature card at the track Saturday. Tyler Chadwick topped the field in the 35-lap SK Modified feature. Cory DiMatteo was the winner of the SK Light Modified feature. John Zych Jr. won the 25-lap NEMA Midget feature. PJ Stergios was the winner in the NEMA Lite feature. Geoffrey Sutton won the 25-lap ATQMRA Three-Quarter Midget feature.
It was the third career Valenti Modified Racing Series victory at the Speedbowl for McKennedy, of Chelmsford, Mass. who also had wins in 2010 and 2012 at the track.
Continue reading ‘McKennedy Leads Wings and Wheels Winners at New London-Waterford’
WATERFORD –Keith Rocco said you can’t compete against Ted Christopher without having some respect. It also helps to have a fast race car.
Rocco had both as he blistered his way into the lead with 11 laps remaining on his way to his fourth win of the season in the 35-lap SK Modified feature Saturday at New London Waterford Speedbowl.
Jacob Perry, a 14-year-old from Pawcatuck, won his first 25-lap Ministock feature while Chris Meyer and Monte Gibbs each captured 25-lap Sportsman features. Chris Correll won his first SK Light feature, while Cameron Morga, a visitor from New Mexico, was a winner in the 25-lap U.S. Legends feature.
Continue reading ‘Rocco, Meyer, Gibbs, Perry, Morga, Correll Win at Waterford’
A storybook ending was the scene for thirteen-year-old Ryan Locke, as he captured his first ever NEMA Lite win, becoming the youngest driver to ever win in NEMA’s sixty-three year history. Locke bested a strong field of twenty-two competitors, ranging from Indiana to North Carolina, to Pennsylvania at New England’s premier 3/8 mile oval, the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Although Locke may be unfamiliar with victory lane as a driver, the thirteen-year old’s family is not. His father, Jeff, operator at Locke Crane Services, a fierce ISMA Super Modified competitor, and grandfather, Ken, a long time, winning Oswego Super Modified car owner, are no strangers to the podium.
The evening started strong for the young Locke as he jumped out into the lead from the front of the pack. The win would not come easy, however, as the likes of 2015 Lites Champion, Anthony Payne, and up & comer Meg Cugini were running some lightening fast times as they worked their way through the pack. Further behind them, multi-feature winner, Danny Cugini was also working his way to the front as was Modified standout, Joey Cipriano, who started in eighteenth position.
Continue reading ‘Ryan Locke Captures Historic First NEMA Win at Waterford Speedbowl’
WATERFORD – Saturday night at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl saw legendary SK Modified driver Ted Christopher return to victory lane at the track for the first time this season.
In other events Keith Rocco won the first Late Model feature, Anthony Flannery was victorious in the second Late Model feature, Andrew Molleur won the SK Light Modified feature, Monte Gibbs topped the field in the Limited Sportsman feature, Wayne Burroughs Jr. won the Mini Stock feature and Ryan Locke won the NEMA Lites feature.
Christopher led every lap on the way to his first victory of the season in the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature.
Continue reading ‘New London-Waterford Speedbowl Results 07/02/2016’
WATERFORD, CT — Defending INEX Bandolero champion Nickolas Hovey of Chaplin, CT picked up his first victory of the season.
Hovey said he was “pretty determined” at ending his winless streak during the caution free 20 lap feature. Hovey had four cars drafting with him while he led green to checkered.
“I just ran my race, ran by myself,” Hovey said.
Hovey thanked “Ames’ Finish Line Signs, Heidi’s Creations, Race Dog Photography, Busy Bees, R&G Sealcoating, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, Kim,” after the race.
WATERFORD – Joey Gada and Keith Rocco were the big winners on a seven feature card Saturday night at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Gada won the first SK Modified feature of the night and Rocco topped the field in the second for the division.
Ray Christian III won the Late Model feature. Chris Meyer was the winner of the Limited Sportsman feature. Wayne Burroughs Jr. was victorious in the Mini Stock feature. Dana DiMatteo topped the field in the Legends feature. Robin Berghman won the New England Pro Four Modified feature.
WATERFORD – Third year SK Modified division driver Paul Kusheba IV scored his long awaited first career victory in the division Saturday to showcase the racing card at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Anthony Flannery was victorious in the Late Model feature. Tony Membrino Jr. scored victory in the SK Light Modified feature. Al Stone III was victorious in the Limited Sportsman feature. Charles Canfield won the Mini Stock feature. Duane Noll won in the debut of the track’s new Truck division.
The 21-year Kusheba of Monroe was up to the task of handling numerous restarts to get his first victory in the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature.
2:07pm: Sorry – Races Canceled Due To Rain/Forecast
Enjoy Your Evening – See You Next Week!
Continue reading ‘New London-Waterford Speedbowl Rained Out’
WATERFORD — One of the biggest movies in 1975 was “Once Is Not Enough,” a film starring such big names as Kirk Douglas and George Hamilton.
More than 40 years later, the Limited Sportsmen drivers at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl will be using the same philosophy when it comes to racing. One 20-lap feature simply will not be enough.
The drivers will be competing in two Twin 20-lap features Saturday night, a sharp contrast to a regular Saturday night show in which they race one 25-lap feature.
Continue reading ‘Speedbowl Twin 20 Lap Ltd. Sportsman Features’
WATERFORD – Tyler Chadwick was the showcase story of a speedy five event racing card Saturday evening at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Chadwick led every lap of the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature for his first victory since August 8, 2015.
Joe Arena won the 35-lap North East Street Stock Tour feature. Bruce Thomas Jr. won the 30-lap Late Model feature. In the 25-lap Mini Stock feature, it was Chris Ivory winning. Dana DiMatteo won the 25-lap Legends feature.
STONINGTON, CT – When the North East Street Stock Tour (NESST) visits the New London-Waterford Speedbowl (NLWS) this Saturday, there will be several drivers in the field who have made 1,000’s of laps around the progressive 3/8-mile oval.
Chief among them is defending Tour Champion, Joe Arena. Identifying “The Speedbowl” as his home track, Arena has frequented the shoreline facility for decades. His No. 74 entry has become a staple, and he will surely be a contender for the race win. Arena enters the event second in the NESST Championship Point Standings, 10 points behind Ryan Lineham.
Another driver who has a wealth of experience at NLWS is Waterford native, Jim Boyle. Driving the No. 2 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Boyle originally began his career in one of the track’s feeder divisions. He put the experience gained there to good use in the Tour’s visit to NLWS last year, registering a third place finish, in route to 2015 Rookie of the Year honors. Boyle currently has hold of the third position in chase for the NESST Championship, trailing Arena by six points.
Continue reading ‘Experienced Drivers Prepared for Showdown at the Speedbowl’
WATERFORD – Three first-time winners highlighted a packed racing card Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Joey Polewarczyk Jr. was dominant in driving to victory in the 100-lap American-Canadian Tour feature.
Diego Monahan won the first 35-SK Modified feature of the evening, which was the conclusion of an event that was suspended after 17 laps because of rain on May 14.
WATERFORD — While attending the season opener at New London-Waterford Speedbowl last weekend, John Holland of New England Racing Fuels enjoyed what he saw.
He enjoyed it so much, he decided to get more involved with the racing program. As a result, the Late Model division at the Speedbowl has a new title sponsor.
Starting Saturday, the division will be known as the Sunoco Late Models. A Late Model driver each week will receive a certificate for five gallons of Sunoco Racing Fuel.
Continue reading ‘New England Race Fuels Joins New London Waterford Speedbowl As a Title Sponsor’
WATERFORD – Ron Silk powered past polesitter Eric Goodale one-third of the way through the New England Cycle Center 161 Saturday at New London-Waterford Speedbowl and never looked back.
Silk, of Norwalk, held off the field down the stretch to record his 10th career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory. It was his first at the Speedbowl, and it came in just his third race with new car owner Danny Watts Jr. and the No. 82 Horton Avenue Materials Chevrolet team.
Max Zachem, of Preston, crossed the stripe second for his best career finish. Jimmy Blewett of Howell, N.J. joined him on the podium in third. Jeff Goodale of Riverhead, N.Y. and Rob Summers of Manchester rounded out the top five while Brendon Bock, Matt Swanson, Doug Coby, Donny Lia and Jamie Tomaino completed the top 10.
Saturday also marked career-best finishes for Goodale and Bock while Tomaino extended his Whelen Modified Tour record for career starts to 600 in the event.
[Photo Gallery] by Ed Martin
[Photo Gallery] by Donald Silberman
Tenth Career Whelen Modified Tour Triumph
WATERFORD, Conn. (May 14, 2016) – Ron Silk powered past polesitter Eric Goodale one-third of the way through the New England Cycle Center 161 Saturday at New London-Waterford Speedbowl and never looked back.
Silk, of Norwalk, Connecticut, held off the field down the stretch to record his 10th career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory. It was his first at the Speedbowl, and it came in just his third race with new car owner Danny Watts Jr. and the No. 82 Horton Avenue Materials Chevrolet team.
Max Zachem, of nearby Preston, Connecticut, crossed the stripe second for his best career finish. Jimmy Blewett joined him on the podium in third.
[Photo Gallery] by Ed Martin
[Photo Gallery] by Donald Silberman
