Christopher Ready For Bowl’s SK-150
Waterford, CT -- It is not easy finding the right spot for Ted Christopher in Waterford Speedowl’s hierarchy. He loves every minute of the puzzle.
Calling him a “visitor” doesn’t make sense considering he has won the 1992 SK-Modified championship, 36 features (in four different divisions) and four poles at the Bowl. Still, he never fails to generate extra ordinary “big time” excitement when he does appear.
Christopher hopes to add to his Bowl resume in the 12th annual SK-150, the centerpiece of the season-opening Modified Nationals April 12-13. The 1999 winner, Christopher will come with his own SK and also is “working on” a Midget ride.
“The Speedbowl is one of my favorite places,” says Christopher, who fondly recalls his Northeastern Midget Association win at the 1998 Nationals. “Everybody in the place was cheering for me when I drove the Midget,” he says.
The Bowl, he says, “is a tricky place but over the years I think I’ve learned how to handle it. I love going to the Speedbowl because the racing is so competitive.”
The $20,000 SK-150 heads up an 11-division “Mod Nats” program that includes extra distance races for the Bowl’s other NASCAR Whelen All American Divisions – the Late Models (50 laps), Sportsman (30) and Mini Stocks (30). In addition to NEMA and the NEMA “Lites,” the Legends, Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Track Trucks and Allison Legacy Cars are also due.
The first and still one of the most coveted of the SK events, Christopher finds himself on an entry list that includes “visitors” Rob Summers, Jeff Malave, Kenny Horton, Doug Coby and 2006 SK winner Frank Ruocco. All, with the exception of Malave, have had
success at the Bowl.
Ron Yuhas Jr., back on the ‘regular’ list in ’08, joins 2007 SK winner Jeff Pearl, ’07 champion Rob Janovic Jr., six-time champ Dennis Gada, Dennis Charette and youngsters Tyler Chadwick and Jeffrey Paul on the “homers” list.
Christopher owns a least four poles and believes “an up-front start” in the 150 is vital. “Track position is very important,” says Christopher. “You go there with the knowledge that you can pit and still win, but it is not necessary. You don’t want to go down a lap.”
The 150 was the first SK race that included time trials. Christopher had won three SK and one Whelen Modified Tour at the Speedbowl. Time trials are part of Saturday action and Chris Pasteryak’s SK-150 record 14.360 seconds lap, set in 2003, is the target.
Horton’s 14.061 in last year’s Pepsi 300 is the absolute SK record.
Heats for all the other divisions will follow time trials. Features for the Legends, NEMA Lites, Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks and Allison Legacy Cars follow. The SK-150 tops Sunday’s agenda that includes the Late Models, Sportsman, Mini Stocks and Legends.
In addition to the Modified Tour, the SKs and the Midgets, Christopher also has a Pro4 win at the Speedbowl.
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR.