Janovic Begins Defense At Speedbowl SK-150
Waterford, CT — Reigning Waterford Speedbowl SK-Modified champion Rob Janovic Jr. admits to having “a little extra “spring in his step” these days. The realization of his name being among decades of Speedbowl modified champions has finally sunk-in.
“When you’re in the middle of the battle, you really don’t think about what the outcome is going to feel like. You’re too busy just trying to win the war,” says Janovic.
Janovic will be begin defense of his title April 12-13 in the SK-150, the headliner of the season-opening 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals. The weekend also includes the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Models, Sportsman, and Mini Stocks. The NEMA Midgets, NEMA Lites, Legends, AllStar Race Trucks, Pro4 Modifieds and Allison Legacy Cars are on the agenda.
The team plans a dedicated defense of the title beginning with the SK-150. A win in one of the biggest SK races would fit nicely on a resume that includes 23 total wins, 17 including the 2006 Fall Finale 100, in the SKs.
“No matter how things go,” he says, “I’ve got the whole year to savor being the defending champion and that’s a great feeling to have going into a new season.”
Janovic edged six-time SK champion Dennis Gada by a scant ten-points in one of the closest battles in recent memory.
“Honestly, I never placed all my emphasis on becoming a champion,” he continues. “It’s not like my racing career wouldn’t be complete without it. We always tried to be competitive on a week-to-week basis and let the chips fall where they may at the end of the season.“
The title has changed things.
“I think about it now, and it’s like wow,” he says. “I’m there with all the drivers I watched growing-up. Being in the same category with racers like Bob Potter, Jerry Pearl, Mark LaJeunesse, and of course, Dennis Gada, it’s really an honor.”
A Waterford native, he started racing back in the 1980s in the Late Model division. He took a few years off to attend college and returned to a division that has progressed immensely from a technical standpoint.”
“I can remember just driving around looking in people’s yards to see if there were any 69’ Chevy’s sitting around that I could buy to part-out for my race car,” he recalls.
The advancement of the class, however, made the jump to the SK’s easier. The divisions share a lot more in common now, notably set-up and chassis geometry.”
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR