Bowl’s SK-150 Field Biggest, Strongest Yet
Waterford, CT — The SK-150 was the first “extra-distance, extra-money” event for the SK-Modified division. The centerpiece of Waterford Speedbowl’s season-opening April 12-13 Budweiser Modified Nationals, the “150” is about to host the biggest and strongest field in its 12-year history.
There’s plenty of history and plenty of incentive to go around.
The entry list for the $5,000 to win event has passed the 50 mark and includes a host of competitors with long Speedbowl resumes. There are four past winners in the field – Ted Christopher (1999), Dennis Gada (2003), Frank Ruocco (’06) and Jeff Pearl (’07).
The “150” was the first SK event to “time trial.” There are six past “pole winners” on the entry list including Jimmy Blewett who set a “150” qualifying record with a 14.233 second run a year ago. Others on that list include Gada (1999-01), Don Fowler (’01) Ron Yuhas Jr. (’02) and Rob Summers (’06).
The absolute SK qualifying record holder, Kenny Horton (14.064 seconds) is on the list. The competition begins with SK time trials at 1 PM on Saturday.
There have been a number of surprises over the years and the likes of Woody Pitkat, Jeff Malave and Wade Mattesen will be coming to make new history. All are short on Speedbowl history but long on success of adapting to new surroundings. Pitkat did finish second in a major Late Model race at the Speedbowl a few years back. Whelen Tour regular Matt Hirschman returns after a strong third-place effort a year ago.
The “150” also begins the run to the ’08 Speedbowl SK championship. Defending SK king Rob Janovic Jr. is one of several past Speedbowl champions on the list joining Ricky Young (1991), Christopher (’92), Pearl (’98), Gada (1999-03, ’05) and Summers (’05). Definite championship contenders this year include Janovic, Gada, Pearl and Yuhas, the latter back to the Bowl after two seasons away on the Mod Tour. Yuhas is clearly the maestro of long-distance events at the Speedbowl.
A couple of teenagers, Jeffrey Paul and Tyler Chadwick, and veteran Dennis Charette, are holding championship hopes as well. All hope to kick off the ’08 season with strong SK-150 performances, as do Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. and Wendell Dailey. The Monahan brothers – Shawn and Diego – have some strong incentive as well.
The Speedbowl’s Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Legends seasons get underway on the busy agenda that also includes the Northeastern Midget Association, Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Track Trucks, Allison Legacy Cars and NEMA Lites.
Sources: Dave Dykes/Waterford Speedbowl PR